Vet-Approved: 5 OTC Meds That Can Save Your Pet’s Day

Hello everyone, Dr. Andrew Jones here. Thank you so much for being a supporter of the channel! I would love for you to subscribe by clicking up there, and don’t forget to click that link directly in the box below to get a copy of my free book. Today, I want to share with you my top five over-the-counter human medications that I safely use on dogs and cats. Stick around for treatment number five; it’s a brand-new OTC combination remedy for dog ear infections and allergies.

1. Pepcid for Nausea and Vomiting

When dealing with a nauseous dog that might have eaten something they shouldn’t have, or a cat suffering from renal failure, I turn to an antacid called famotidine, commonly known as Pepcid. It’s very safe and effective. In my veterinary practice, I’ve used it extensively, and many clients have successfully used it at home. The typical dose for dogs and cats is 2.5 milligrams per 10 pounds of body weight, administered two to three times a day. This would equate to a quarter of a 10-milligram tablet given two to three times daily.

2. Gravol for Severe Vomiting

For cases of severe vomiting, a go-to remedy that your parents probably used for you as a child is Gravol, the active ingredient being dimenhydrinate. The standard dosage for dogs and cats is 12.5 milligrams per 10 pounds of body weight, administered two to three times a day, equating to a quarter of a 50-milligram tablet.

3. Imodium for Diarrhea

Recently, my brother’s cat experienced explosive diarrhea, and he asked if there was something he could give at home. The most effective drug I’ve found in practice is loperamide, known commercially as Imodium. However, it’s crucial to note that some dogs, particularly those with the MDR1 gene mutation like Collies and Australian Shepherds, may not process certain medications properly. For those without this mutation, loperamide can be very safe. The dosage is generally 0.1 milligrams per kilogram, which means a 10-pound dog or cat would get 0.5 milligrams, or a quarter of a 2-milligram capsule, two to three times a day.

4. Cetirizine for Allergies

Moving on to skin conditions and allergies, where your dog may be incessantly scratching or shaking his ears, consider the antihistamine cetirizine, sold as Reactine in Canada and Zyrtec in the U.S. What I appreciate about cetirizine is its 24-hour effectiveness and that it generally doesn’t cause the drowsiness seen with other antihistamines like Benadryl. The standard dose is five milligrams, half of a 10-milligram tablet, for 10 pounds of body weight once daily.

5. DIY Topical Remedy for Skin and Ear Infections

For our fifth remedy, I combine two OTC medications to create a skin and ear topical treatment, ideal for dogs with recurring ear infections and skin inflammations due to allergies or yeast infections. Mix one part clotrimazole, an antifungal used extensively in veterinary practice, with one part 1% hydrocortisone cream. Blend about one teaspoon of each to make your own veterinary preparation at home. To apply, put about a quarter-inch of the mixture on the end of your finger, insert it into the base of your dog’s ear canal, and massage well. This can be applied twice daily for five days.

Conclusion

There you have it—five common OTC medications that I use on animals, and you can use them too. Thanks so much for watching this edition of Veterinary Secrets. Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the bell for notifications. Click the link below, and I’ll send you a copy of my free book.