Human Medications in Canine Sizes
The following common human household products can be used on a dog in an emergency situation if you are unable to contact a veterinarian. You may also want to add a few of the items below to your canine first aid kit in case you are away from your home when an emergency occurs. Take note, many of the items have a weight specification and dosage recommendation. This information is not intended as a complete guide on how to use human medications on dogs, nor should it be used instead of seeking veterinarian help.
All information below was gathered from the "Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Dogs and Cats" and from various other sorces.
Antihistamines: Benadryl, Sominex, and Waldryl are best. Used for relief of allergies, insect bites, and itching. DO NOT USE FOR SNAKE BITES. 2mg per pound of dog every 8-12 hours.
Antibiotic Ointments: Neosporin, Bacitracin, Panolog, Bactoderm are best. Used to protect wounds, fight infection, kill bacteria, and speed healing. Uses as much as needed. After you apply any ointment, keep an eye on your pup to make sure he or she doesn’t lick it off. If needed, loosely wrap the area.
Aloe Vera: Used to treat burns, including sunburns, hot spots, and acne.
Buffered Aspirin: Ascriptin, Bufferin and Ecotrin are best. Do not use Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Tylenol, or Naproxen Sodium, they are harmful to dogs. READ THE LABEL. Used as a fever and pain reducer and as an anti-inflammatory. 325mg per 50lbs. of dog every 12 hours. Have the dog take it with food if possible. NOTE: Normal dog temperature is 100.5-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cough medicines: Products with dextromethorphan as an active ingredient like Robitussin Maximum Strength Cough Syrup are best. BECAREFUL to use cough medicine with only dextromethorphan as the active ingredient. Not those containing other drugs, like aspirin or acetaminophen, which may be harmful to dogs.
Dramamine: Used to relieve motion sickness. Large dogs can have up to 50mg and small dogs up to 12 and ½ mg. Best if given about an hour before traveling.
Electrolytes: Gatorade, Power Aid and Pedialyte are best. Used to treat dehydration. Allow the dog to drink as much as they want, but not too quickly. Licking ice cubes is also a good way to treat dehydration.
Flour: Can be used as a coagulant incase you slip when trimming nails or for cuts and scratches. Uses enough to stop the bleeding.
Hydrogen Peroxide 3%: Used to induce vomiting, clean wounds, clean ears, and deskunk a dog. If you are sure your dog has ingested something lethal, induce vomiting by giving 1 tablespoon per 10lbs. of dog once or twice. Do not exceed two doses, as it can be harmful to your pup. DO NOT use ipecac syrup for vomiting, it is toxic to pets. To remove skunk spray, mix 1 teaspoon liquid soap and ¼ cup baking soda in one quart of hydrogen peroxide. Rub into dog’s fur then rinse.
Honey: Used to treat heat exhaustion or in case of prolonged stress and or seizures. Sugar cubes and Karo syrup are also good.
Kaopectate and Pepto Bismal: Used to stop and give relief of vomiting, diarrhea and or up set stomach. For Kaopectate use 1 teaspoon per 10lbs. of dog every 4-6 hours. For Pepto use 1 teaspoon per 20lbs. of dog every 4-6 hours.
Massengill douche: Also a good skunk odor remover.
Metamucil: Used for constipation. For small dogs use ½ a teaspoon a couple times a day, and for large dogs use up to 2 teaspoons twice a day.
Mineral Oil: Used for constipation and ear mite relief. Give your canine buddy up to 4 tablespoons a day for constipation. To combat ear mites, once a day heat some oil until it’s warm to the touch. Then put a couple of drops in the ear canal. Repeat for at least one month. Olive oil mixed with garlic can also be used as an ear mite remedy. Crush a few garlic cloves and let them soak in olive oil overnight. Then, remove the garlic, heat the oil until it’s warm to the touch and, as with the mineral oil, place a couple drops in your dog’s ear canal. Repeat about every other day or so, for at least one month.
Oat bran and Canned Pumpkin: Also for constipation relief. Add a teaspoon or two of either to your dogs food everyday until bowel movements are regular again.
Saline: Used to sterilize tools, hands, cuts, bandages, etc…. Also, saline can be used to wash out dog’s eyes and mouths if needed.
Tea/Tannic acid: Used to speed heeling and sooth hot spots. A strong black or green tea works best. Once it is brewed and cooled down, apply it to the infected area.
Vitamins: Just like in humans, various vitamins may be beneficial to your canine buddy. Vitamin B can be used as an appetite stimulant. ½ to 2ml given every 24hrs. should do it. Vitamin C and E can be useful to pets with asthma and or heart problems. Seek advise from your veterinarian about how and how much to give. Vitamin E, also works well on hot spots. Apply vitamin E gel directly to the irritated area a few times a week.
Witch Hazel: Used to treat burns, especially sunburn. Soak a cotton ball or bit of gauze in this cooling liquid and apply it to the damaged area several times a day.