Questions pet owners ask when a new medication and a new sign occur together
Should I stop the medication if my pet acts different?
Do not stop or change a prescribed medication on your own unless emergency instructions already given for that pet tell you to do so. Contact the prescribing veterinarian, describe the change and its timing, and follow the individualized direction you receive.
What if my pet vomits soon after a dose?
Record the time the medication was given, when vomiting occurred, whether the medication was visible, and how the pet is acting now. Do not automatically repeat the dose because it may be unclear how much was absorbed. Contact the veterinarian for instructions specific to that medication and pet.
Can I give a human product for a suspected side effect?
Do not add human pain relievers, antihistamines, stomach remedies, sleep aids, or other products unless a veterinarian specifically directs their use for the individual animal. A product that is familiar to people can be unsafe for pets or can interact with other medications.
What information is most useful when I call?
Have the medication label, pet’s approximate weight, dose time, first time the new sign appeared, current symptoms, other medications or supplements, and any possible dosing error or exposure ready. Lead with breathing difficulty, collapse, severe weakness, seizures, or another urgent sign before giving the longer history.
Contact Riverview Animal Clinic about a medication concern
If a new health change begins after medication is started, contact Riverview Animal Clinic to describe what you observed and ask about available veterinary services. Call (417) 847-0034. For an unstable or rapidly worsening pet, seek the fastest appropriate veterinary care.