Celebrate the good news! Our canine friends are living longer than ever. Mostly this is because we’re providing better medical care throughout their lives, and we have more drugs to help keep them healthy. However, drugs can also be a hazard for your older dog.
As your pet ages some of her organs may work less efficiently, including her kidneys. Kidneys help regulate how fast a drug is eliminated from the body. And if your pet’s kidneys work less effectively, drugs can linger in her system longer and cause unpleasant side effects, including vomiting and depression.
Your veterinarian can help
Forewarned is forearmed, so your veterinarian’s first step is to use blood tests to check your pet’s organ functions. Depending on the results, he or she may consider decreasing drug doses, increasing the time between doses, or limiting the number of drugs your dog takes.
When you give your older dog drugs, your veterinarian will want to monitor their effects very carefully with frequent examinations or telephone consultations. He or she also may draw blood samples to measure drug levels in your pet’s blood.
Some prescription drugs require careful monitoring because they cause more side effects in older dogs or take the kidneys longer to eliminate from the body. For example, your veterinarian will be extra cautious if he or she prescribes certain antibiotics, including gentamicin; certain anesthetic agents; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; chemotherapy drugs; and some heart drugs.
What you can do
Part of your responsibility is to tell your veterinarian about any prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, nutritional supplements, and parasite control products you’re giving your dog. Why? He or she may recommend safer drugs or make different choices when prescribing new drugs to avoid a possible drug interaction.
One warning: Don’t give your dog any over-the-counter medications without talking to your veterinarian first. You don’t know the best dose for your dog’s particular needs; whether there are any safer or more effective options; or whether the medication could interfere with other drugs your pet is taking.
Your pooch can’t tell you if she’s feeling bad, so watch her carefully anytime she’s taking a new medication and keep your veterinarian informed. With your help, your pet can feel better and live longer!
