Toxic Cold & Flu Medicine for Your Dog: What to Avoid

Medicine that might be completely normal for you to take when you have a cold could actually be fatal for your furry friend. Both over-the-counter and prescription medication used to ease cold & flu-like symptoms contain ingredients that are dangerous for your pup and should be kept out of paw’s reach. At Sit Means Sit, we care deeply about your dog.

How Are Cold and Flu Medications Toxic to Dogs?

These over-the-counter cold and flu medicines can affect many parts of a dog’s body. While the cardiovascular system (heart and blood vessels) and central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and associated nerves) are the most affected, the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines, colon), kidneys, and liver can be involved as well.

Cold and Flu Medication Ingredients That Are Deadly for Fido

If your canine companion consumes medicine that contains any of these ingredients, you should seek medical attention immediately:

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen is one of the most common human medications to use as a pain reliever and fever reducer. It is toxic to both cats and dogs, but its effect on cats is especially dangerous. Acetaminophen can cause a condition called methemoglobinemia, which causes decreased levels of oxygen in body tissues. It can also cause liver failure. In cats, acetaminophen can cause swelling in the face and paws.

Ibuprofen and Naproxen

NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are found in almost every medicine cabinet, but they can be very dangerous to pets. Both ibuprofen and naproxen are NSAIDs that could lead to gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, kidney damage, and liver damage. In cold and flu medications, these drugs are often combined with decongestants. Carprofen is another NSAID that you should be cautious of around your pets.

Phenylephrine and Pseudoephedrine

Decongestants, such as phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine, can cause big problems for our pets. While pseudoephedrine causes symptoms like restlessness, agitation, increased heart rate, muscle tremors, increased blood pressure, and seizures, it can lead to death if a large amount is ingested. Most cold medications containing a “D,” like Mucinex-D, contain pseudoephedrine.

Phenylephrine can cause similar symptoms as pseudoephedrine, but it is considered a bit less dangerous. If your cold and flu medication has “PE” on the package, it likely contains phenylephrine.

Dextromethorphan

This medication is a non-addictive opioid. It is used in cold and flu medications to help with coughing. Pets who ingest medication containing dextromethorphan commonly exhibit symptoms including vomiting, lethargy, agitation, tachycardia, tremors, and seizures. Typically, vomiting is only treated when it is severe. In these cases, IV fluids can help. Tremors and seizures will likely be treated with benzodiazepines. Similar to humans, pets could be allergic to the drug and might battle hives and facial swelling. An allergic reaction is usually treated with antihistamines and corticosteroids.

Cough Drops

Cough drops are really common cold medicines for humans, but for dogs… they can be problematic for two reasons. First, cough drops can be a choking hazard for dogs and cats. On the other side, certain ingredients can cause health problems for pets. Ingredients like sugar, eucalyptus oil, menthol, and colors and flavors might cause stomach problems for your pet, but this is mild compared to other ingredients.

Xylitol is an extremely toxic artificial sweetener that is becoming more and more common in cough drops. It can lead to hypoglycemia and liver damage.

Eye Drops

A common symptom of a human cold or the flu is red eyes. Since treatment for irritated eyes is generally eye drops, they make the list for pets, too. Pet owners also don’t tend to think of eye drops as being a dangerous substance for pets. However, when ingested, eye drops can lead to bradycardia, hypotension, and depression.

It’s important to point out, though, that this is a comprehensive list and that you should never give your canine medicine without consulting their veterinarian first.

Symptoms of Cold and Flu Medication Toxicity in Dogs

• Stomach upset (vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite), Dry eye (redness, discharge, swelling around eyes), Swelling of the face, paws, and forelimbs, Symptoms of liver failure
• Hallucination, Tremors, seizures, Disorientation, Nervousness, shaking, Ataxia, Low blood pressure (hypotension), Low body temperature (hypothermia), Rapid breathing, gastrointestinal bleeding
• There are a variety of symptoms that your pooch could display after ingesting any of these ingredients. You might notice discolored gums, swollen face & paws, seizures, or a racing heart.

What to Do if Your Pup Eats Cold or Flu Medicine

Since the list of possible side effects is so wide, though, you should take Fido to the vet if you just suspect they consumed medicine with any of those ingredients. It’s better to be safe and precautions than wait for the side effects to begin; by then, it could be too late. So, once again, always err on the side of caution.

If, for some reason your vet is unavailable or you can’t find help, there is always the pet poison helpline. It isn’t free, but it’s so much better than waiting in agony for something potentially disastrous to happen.

What to Expect at the Veterinary Emergency Room?

Be sure to bring any packaging or identifying information from the product that your pet has been exposed to. The more information you can provide about the product and the exposure, the better equipped your veterinarian will be to make sure your pet gets the proper treatment.

Once the initial assessment is complete and any treatments needed to stabilize your pet are finished, you may have to wait for further treatment while other pets are being assessed and cared for.

Before you leave the emergency veterinary hospital, be sure that you understand any continued treatments you may need to do at home and any important signs you need to monitor for.

Treatment Options for Cold and Flu Medication Toxicity in Dogs

Your veterinarian may choose to induce vomiting in your dog if the toxin was recently ingested and the dog is not yet showing signs of toxicity.

If your dog has ingested high doses of cold and flu medication, your vet might insert a stomach tube to flush out your dog’s stomach with water. They can also administer activated charcoal to deter the medication from absorbing into the bloodstream, which causes further toxicity.

It is important that dogs in this condition be kept warm and quiet and are closely monitored, to make sure they remain responsive and their breathing is normal.

Tips for Keeping Medicine Out of Paw’s Reach

The best thing you can do for your pooch is to be proactive by ensuring they can’t get into your medicine to even begin with.

Whenever you’re not using a medication, make sure it is sealed.

Store your medication out of paw’s reach in a cabinet or drawer.

If you spill any medicine, be sure to clean it up right away and dispose of it securely in a garbage bin (if you can throw it away in a bin outside, even better)

Remember, always check with Fido’s vet before giving them medicine, and if you think something is wrong, always play it safe! You can also reach out to the poison control hotline.