Medications that are safe for humans are not always safe for pets. Dogs and cats are very similar to people in their anatomical and chemical makeup, but there are some extremely important differences.

You should always check with your veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. They don’t have all the same liver enzymes as people do. The liver enzymes are responsible for breaking down and detoxifying medications. Without the proper enzymes, everything we ingest would be toxic to our bodies. Cats are much more sensitive than dogs, which means they are even more prone to toxicity from medications.

Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, may be used in dogs in very low dosages, but should never be given to cats. Cats do not have the proper liver enzyme to detoxify acetaminophen.. There are much safer and more effective medications for dogs instead of acetaminophen.

All medications have the potential for side effects. Dogs may experience some stomach upset while taking acetaminophen. If it is given for a long time, blood tests to monitor kidney and liver function should be performed.

Since some medications may interact negatively with other medications, it is very important to let your veterinarian know if you have given your pet any medications. Your veterinarian may prescribe a medication for your pet that would be harmful if given at the same time as certain types of over-the-counter medications.

Use of acetaminophen with other pain medications may lead to serious kidney problems. Most people assume that aspirin is always safe without any side effects. All medications have the potential for some side effects.

There is a class of medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) that are commonly used to treat pain and fever, and reduce inflammation. Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. As with all NSAIDS, aspirin can cause an upset stomach. Some studies show every patient taking aspirin will have tiny, microscopic stomach ulcers called micro-ulcers.

Over a period of time, some patients may develop larger ulcers that can be very serious. A perforated ulcer is one that has actually made a hole all the way through the stomach wall, which would result in a very poor prognosis. Most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications also have the potential for harming the kidneys and/or the liver if the patient takes these medications for an extended period of time.

Make sure you tell your veterinarian about any medications you have been giving your pet so they don’t receive any treatment that could be harmful to them.

Everyone has seen the common warning on medications to “Keep out of reach of children.” I think they should say “Keep out of reach of children and pets.” I have received countless calls about a pet that has gotten into and swallowed their owner’s medication. When a 10-pound puppy eats an entire bottle of their owner’s heart pills, the situation is very serious.

Fortunately, most cases are noticed and treated immediately allowing for prevention of a life threatening condition. Most of the time, vomiting may be induced to prevent absorption of the medicine if caught in time.

Over-the-counter medications often have several different active ingredients in them. Tylenol has several combinations of cold remedies. The ingredients are numerous depending on the symptoms being treated.

They contain acetaminophen and a combination of a cough suppressant, decongestant, antihistamine or an expectorant. Some people don’t realize that Excedrin has caffeine plus acetaminophen and aspirin. Please do not give these types of medications to your pets.

You should always check with your veterinarian before giving any over-the-counter medication to your pet. Also, if your pet is showing any signs of illness, contact your veterinarian to ensure your pet lives a long, healthy and happy life.

Dr. Jeff Castle is a veterinarian at Clark County Veterinary Clinic.