Amphetamines are illegal but there are some legal uses for amphetamines in human medicine, eg in the treatment of ADHD in children.
Amphetamines stimulate the release of norepinephrine which stimulates the central nervous system.
Death has been noted with the ingestion of 0.59 mg of methamphetamine per pound of body weight.
Pallor or reddened mucous membranes and skin, restlessness, hyperactivity, hyperthermia, hypertension or hypotension, increased respiratory and heart rates, abnormal heart rhythm, drooling, dilated pupils, muscle tremors, seizures, circulatory collapse, and death.
Do not induce vomiting without veterinary instruction as the patient may lose consciousness quickly and aspirate the vomitus. Seek veterinary attention.
These can be used under advice from your vet for treating various conditions but inappropriate use can cause problems
Various cough preparations and sleep aids e.g. Benylin, Nytol etc
Histamines are released by body tissues during an allergic reaction. Antihistamines block the attachment of histamine to cells and help to reduce the effects of histamine.
Varies depending upon the product.
Common signs may range from depression with respiratory problems to hyperexcitability with muscle tremors, seizures, and hyperactivity. Vomiting, dilated pupils, increased body temperature, disorientation, heart rhythm abnormalities, and increased or decreased heart rate may be seen.
Induce vomiting if patient is alert. Seek veterinary attention.
Aspirin toxicity is much more severe in cats than in dogs. The toxic effects include bone marrow suppression, bleeding, inflammation of the liver, kidney disease, and stomach ulceration.
Children's aspirin contains 81 mg, regular aspirin contains 325 mg, and extra-strength aspirin contains 500 mg. Numerous other products contain aspirin. Be sure to check the label and with your veterinarian before using any human medication on your pet.
Signs usually develop within 4-6 hours with an acute overdose. They include depression, lack of appetite, vomiting which may contain blood, abdominal pain, increased respiratory rate, acute kidney failure, weakness, coma, and death.
Chronic lower doses in dogs may lead to stomach ulcers and perforation, toxic liver inflammation, and bone marrow suppression resulting in anaemia.
Induce vomiting and seek veterinary attention.
Nutritional supplements such as vitamin-mineral preparations with iron, injections of iron, and plant fertilizer.
Ingestion of excess iron causes two main problems. Iron has a direct corrosive effect on the lining of the stomach and small intestines. This may range from slight bleeding to perforation. Iron also is absorbed into the cells where it disrupts cell function and causes cell damage.
An anaphylactic type of reaction may be seen with injectable iron.
Varies depending on source and route of exposure.
Vomiting and diarrhea which may be bloody, and drowsiness. Symptoms may not occur for up to 6-12 hours after ingestion. This may be followed by a period of apparent recovery before relapse occurs. Other symptoms include CNS depression and liver and kidney failure. Iron passed in the urine will cause the urine to be dark.
Induce vomiting and administer Milk of Magnesia (to precipitate the iron in the GI tract to decrease absorption). Egg, water, or milk may also be given. Seek veterinary attention.
Many analgesics, fever medications, and anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, piroxicam, phenylbutazone and naproxen. Veterinary NSAIDs include products such as Aspirin, carprofen (Rimadyl), ketoprofen, and etodolac (EtoGesic).
Always check with your veterinarian before giving any medication to your pet. Many medications available for human use are dangerous to pets. The NSAIDs are an example of this especially in cats. NSAIDs decrease production of substances that protect the stomach and GI tract from the acid and reduces blood flow to the area. This can cause ulceration and perforation of the stomach or intestines. NSAIDs also decrease the blood flow to the kidneys causing damage and renal failure. Phenylbutazone may also cause liver damage.
Varies with each medication and species. Example: Ibuprofen is toxic at 22-50 mg per pound of body weight.
Abdominal pain, anaemia, blood in the stool (blood may be digested so the stool appears black and tarry), vomiting with or without blood, lethargy, ataxia, stupor, and shock if perforation has occurred.
Induce vomiting. Seek veterinary attention.
In the body, paracetamol is changed into glucuronic acid and sulphate. A small amount is normally oxidized to reactive metabolites. These reactive compounds are normally bound by glutathione and excreted from the body. At elevated doses, the supply of glutathione becomes exhausted allowing the reactive metabolite to bind to cells causing cell death. The liver and red blood cells are most frequently affected by paracetamol. In red blood cells, haemoglobin is changed to methemoglobin, and the cell can no longer adequately deliver oxygen to other cells in the body.
Dogs: 45 mg per pound of body weight.
Symptoms begin within hours of ingestion. They include depression (progressive), vomiting, abdominal pain, dark-colored urine and serum, and death in 2-5 days.
Induce vomiting. Seek veterinary attention immediately.
Medications
The tricyclic antidepressants affect the central nervous system (CNS) by inhibiting the normal function of the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine. Different TCAs affect different neurotransmitters in different ways. Animals should be monitored for at least 12 hours after ingestion even if no signs are present. Sudden death, several days after apparent recovery has been reported in humans.
Varies depending upon the specific TCA.
Vomiting, disorientation, anxiety, aggression, depression to semicomatose states, seizures, change in body temperature, ataxia, weakness, tremors, abnormal heart rhythms, facial or lingual (tongue) oedema, rash, urticaria, pulmonary oedema, and death.
Seek veterinary attention. Your veterinarian may recommend inducing vomiting depending on the pet's level of alertness.
Zinc oxide skin preparations and galvanized metal such as nails and staples. Other sources include calamine lotion, suppositories, shampoos, zinc undecylenate (Desenex), sunblock containing zinc oxide, fertilizers, and paint.
Zinc oxide is an irritant to the stomach. Systemic signs depend on the rate of absorption. Zinc is believed to interfere with certain enzymes and may cause direct damage to cell membranes. Chronic zinc toxicosis interferes with the absorption and utilization of copper and iron.
Varies depending on form of zinc and time period of exposure.
In cases of short-term exposure or when smaller amounts are ingested, signs include vomiting, diarrhoea, lack of appetite, abdominal pain, and generalized depression. With long-term exposure or when large quantities are ingested, signs also include severe intravascular heamolytic anaemia, blood in the urine, jaundice, weakness, multiple organ failure, and death.
Seek veterinary attention.