Human medications are topping the list of potential “poisonings” in pets these days. Those reading this magazine have read about the dangers of vaccines, pharmaceuticals for animals, toxic pest control products, commercial pet food, etc., so most of us are aware of the growing concern about these things. However, now the growing concern is for pets getting into human medications as is shared in the following two articles:
1. Pets poisoned by your pills, group says: Human medications top the list of group’s top 10 toxins
2. Human Meds Trigger Calls To Pet Poison Hotlines: Pills Sickened More Pets Than Any Other Toxin
What I find interesting is how the “medications” are called “toxins” or “poisons” in the above media articles –
and rightly so! People taking pharmaceutical drugs has so greatly increased that their pets are now considered at risk from these same drugs. In fact these human “medications” are being labeled as the number one TOXIN killing or poisoning pets! Pets get into them because they are curious, or just opportunistic. Animals are always looking for a meal and they don’t know that those drugs can kill them or that they aren’t meant as a snack. If animals believe something is edible they are going to eat it whether or not it is expedient for them UNLESS they have learned otherwise – something wild animals pass on to their progeny as they learn what is unsafe for them (Reference: Wild Health: Lessons in natural wellness from the animal kingdom by Cindy Engel, PhD).
The arguments on the side of the pharmaceutical drugs will say that these medications are dangerous for pets because most pets are so small and can’t handle the strong drugs made for humans. The people that are taking these medications do so because they’ve been told by their doctors they won’t live or live well without them. From a naturopathic perspective, the body was designed to heal itself innately when properly nourished and supported; by removing toxins not adding toxins to it!
The body (human and animal) only recognizes naturally occurring substances as a “help” or “health” aid for itself. Anything else is considered a foreign invader, especially anything artificial or synthetic – which is true of most modern medications.
Giant breed dogs such as Mastiffs, Great Danes, Great Pyrenees, etc., are not small pets and can in fact weigh as much if not more than the average human being. Yet, these same medications are considered “toxins” and “poisons” for them when prescribed for humans. The flip side to this is that these same medications are also often prescribed for pets under a different name and/or label allowing them to miraculously become a “medication” rather than a toxin or poison. That alone should give pet owners pause before accepting carte blanche prescription drugs for their pets.
How many pet owners know that many of the drugs pulled from the human market because of adverse events or even deaths have then been sent on to be used in veterinary medicine? A good case in point is the drug Rimadyl used for arthritic challenges in pets. Dogs are having adverse events and dying from this drug too but it hasn’t forced the governing bodies to remove it as an option for use in pets. This drug was offered to me for use in my own dog (a Neo Mastiff) for his arthritic challenges back in 2007. The veterinarian said my dog would never run again, especially if he didn’t receive this “fabulous” NSAID. My dog, Shadrach, didn’t stop running until the age of eleven and he was a Neapolitan Mastiff! Dogs of his size are typically considered old by age eight when conventionally raised.
I never used any type of drug on him to support him in his elderly years. Rather, I utilized a raw diet, some supplementation, chiropractic care, and essential oils to support him. I never saw a need for any pharmaceutical medication that could cause him to die at a ripe young age.
So why are these drugs that cause adverse events in humans moved to the veterinary market? Because the pharmaceutical companies don’t want to lose money on a drug just because there were human adverse events or deaths so the next best thing is to offer it on the veterinary market. I have always thought it was so that our pets would be a form of ongoing experimentation without the drug companies having to invest in actual true drug trials. Rather they would be making a profit from our pets while running their covert drug trial.
I don’t have proof of course but it makes one wonder doesn’t it?
I don’t use any form of pharmaceutical drug on myself since I know that the body is designed to heal itself when it is properly maintained through the laws of health mandated in nature. I’m at the age the average American is on at least FIVE or more prescription medications. Knowing how unsafe they are for us makes me all the more certain I don’t want any pet in my home to fall victim to the unintentional or intentional use of pharmaceutical drugs. The only exception I make is for a dire emergency and/or as a last resort.
Please do your due diligence in this area to keep your beloved pets safe from unintended harm.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Copyright 2013 Aspenbloom, Dr. Kim Bloomer, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Author/Publisher. This article is intended to be educational. However, it is not intended to be a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified animal health professional. Dr. Kim Bloomer and Aspenbloom Pet Care, do not assume any legal responsibility for misuse of the products discussed in this article.
Kim Bloomer, V.N.D., N.D. is an animal naturopath as well as being certified in small animal nutrition, with years of experience in animal wellness. Dr. Kim is a published author, writer, blogger, host of the DOGgone Truth podcast. Dr. Kim offers Animal Naturopathy Mentoring and Courses. Subscribe to her DOGgone Newsletter for updates or to her blog via email. Copyright ©2005-2024 Aspenbloom Pet Care, Dr. Kim Bloomer, All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the Author/Publisher. This article is intended to be educational. However, it is not intended to be a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified animal health professional. Dr. Kim Bloomer and Aspenbloom Pet Care, do not assume any legal responsibility for misuse of the products discussed in this article. The only essential oils referenced on this website are Young Living.
