You guys have me thinking about what types of meds I should have on hand

[Olliesmama]

for emergencies. Even for occcasional, like pain, etc. I have to contact a vet in the next week or so. I just wanted to have some ideas. Also what do you use the meds for?

[Lemon]

I'm sure I have more, but only two medications come to mind: 25 mg capsules of Benadryl, which I'd give for any sign of allergy, like swelling, bee sting, trouble breathing, etc. I also have an extra tube of eye ointment on hand, just to keep an eye scratch lubricated while I get to the vet.

I wouldn't mask pain with medication unless I knew for sure what was causing it.

[Olliesmama]

Thanks Kathleen. I am a crunchy granola herbal girl, and we rarely use meds so it never occured to me to keep something for dogs. We do have liquid Benadryl. I need to look into capsules.

I am doing research on vaccinations and such and thought about meds so thanks for your input!

[FourteenLegs]

Kristine, it's good to have something around for when you know exactly what needs to be treated and how to treat it (with minor ailments), but never let it take the place of a visit to the vet.

[Lemon]

Have you been to dogaware.com? They have a great section of links on vaccination information -- lots on the new protocols.

[Olliesmama]

Oh Rona! Absolutely!!! I would never place my pug or any animal in harms way. I will be on the look out for anything and immediately call a vet for whatever is wrong. I hope that you know I was wondering these things because it never would have occured to me to keep benadryl or anything on hand until I could get to a vet. I am nervous about how to know what ailments are what.

I was more saying about the herbals stuff for our family etc. We visit Holistic type doctors etc. I am very comforatbale about that type of stuff for our *family* because have worked with our doctor for years.

[Destanie101]

I JUST saw a *Dog OTC Medicine* book at BAM tonight. I almost bought it,but it will have to wait another week or so. Its like the Pill book for nurses...but for pet-owners. Not a bad idea actually. Its written by a vet, and is fairly thick, gives info on symptoms, dosage..etc...etc. Its like $15 or so...what OTCs you can give the dog, what NOT to. Pepto was pretty popular for a few aiments. Which is nice to know after the whole diarrhea thing with franklin last week, if I had known I'd of just given him the spoonful of pink stuff instead of the poor little guy suffering the whole day...poor guy...lots of water, but no food. (vet said to fast him)

[Lemon]

Don't give Pepto! That must be an older book. They recently changed the formula, and it's no longer safe for dogs.

[Destanie101]

argh, its a good thing I didn't then I guess!!! Next time I'm in BAM I'll check the copyright on that book...maybe they'll be an email or website or something I can go to and send a message that the *new* pepto is bad?

[ViralMD]

Artificial tears are useful to have, as well as ophthalmic antibiotic and ophthalmic lubricant. It's also good to have, in addition to the Benadryl, some gauze on a roll and an Ace bandage to go around any gauze. Topical benadryl cream is also available and is GREAT for contact dermatitis. I always have overcooked rice in the freezer (along with poached turkey, which is already a staple for training treats), although it's also very easy to buy cooked rice at any Chinese restaurant.