Flo’s Painkiller Predicament: a close call for a curious pup
When Flo, a little Shih Tzu cross, decided to do some “exploring” at home recently, she managed to get herself into quite a bit of mischief - and a potentially life-threatening situation.
Her owners walked into a room and discovered Flo happily chewing on a packet of ibuprofen she had managed to pull out of a bag. There had only been two or three tablets left in the pack, but now only one remained.
Recognising the danger, Flo’s quick-thinking owners called us at Kōwhai Vet straight away and were told to bring her in immediately.
Why Ibuprofen Is Dangerous for Dogs
When she arrived, Flo was looking bright and bouncy — completely unaware of the potential trouble she had caused.
Unfortunately, ibuprofen is highly toxic to dogs, even in small amounts.
In a 4.5 kg dog like Flo, just a couple of tablets can cause serious problems, including:
- Severe stomach ulcers
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Kidney failure
At higher doses, it can even lead to seizures or coma.
Flo’s Treatment
To prevent the ibuprofen from being absorbed, we gave Flo an injection to make her vomit.
Within minutes, she started drooling and looking very sorry for herself, before producing several very productive piles of vomit.
Our next glamorous task? Sifting through it to look for pieces of tablet — and sure enough, we found what looked like the remains of about two tablets.
Thankfully, because her owners acted so quickly, we were able to prevent any serious damage.
Once she had finished vomiting, we gave Flo another injection to settle her stomach and sent her home with medication to protect her gut.
A Happy Ending
We’re pleased to report that Flo made a full recovery and was back to her usual cheeky self in no time.
Common Household Hazards for Pets
Flo’s story is a good reminder to keep all human medications safely out of reach of pets. Dogs can be surprisingly determined when investigating interesting smells or packaging, and even a small amount of the wrong medication can have serious consequences.
Some common household hazards include:
Painkillers
Medications like ibuprofen, paracetamol, and aspirin are safe for people but can be very dangerous for dogs and cats.
Chocolate
Contains theobromine and caffeine, which can cause vomiting, heart problems, and seizures.
Grapes and Raisins
Even small amounts can cause kidney failure in some dogs.
Onions and Garlic
Can damage red blood cells and lead to anaemia.
Xylitol
A common sweetener in sugar-free gum and foods that can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar and liver failure in dogs.
Human Antidepressants or ADHD Medications
These can cause severe agitation, tremors, or seizures if ingested.
If Your Pet Eats Something Toxic
If you ever suspect your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t have — don’t wait.
Call your vet straight away for advice.
Acting quickly, just like Flo’s owners did, can make all the difference.