Drugs used to treat dogs and cats mostly similar to drugs used with people

Question: The drug which veterinarian (animal doctor) uses to treat the animal (cats, dogs) is the same type to treat people including antibiotic, antihistamine etc. Is it true or not?

Answer: Drugs are used to treat dogs and cats mostly similar to the drugs used with people. Including antibiotics and antihistamines (the dog’s wet nose is common, it is not like a cold or allergies).

But there are some medications that are the exception, such as paracetamol which will not be used as analgesic on dogs and cats because of toxicity. Especially toxic to cats, even 125 mg per dose may cause a cat to death.

Ibuprofen is very toxic to dogs, while phenylbutazone (for analgesic and inflammation) rather safes with dogs.

It is very important to consider dose of each drugs. Some medications are used in the dosage equal to people. However, some drugs are used very different doses.

Such as:- Amoxicillin; dose for common infections is 10 mg / kg by oral or injection 2-3 times per day, if the infection is severe, dose can up to 20 mg / kg 2-3 times per day.

             - Chlorpheniramine; dose for allergies and skin rashes of dog is 0.5-1 mg / kg, and cat 1-2 mg 2-3 times a day.