Is It OK to Use Leftover Medication If My Dog Gets Sick?

As pet parents, we always want to do what's best for our furry friends, especially when they are unwell. It can be tempting to reach into the medicine cabinet and administer medications from a previous illness when your dog shows similar symptoms. However, this practice could lead to harmful consequences and is strongly discouraged by veterinarians.

Medications Are Tailored to Specific Illnesses

Just like in human medicine, veterinary medications are prescribed based on the specific illness, its severity, and the overall health status of the pet. The antibiotic that was used for your dog's skin infection last summer may not work for a respiratory infection.

Similarly, the pain medication used after a surgery might not be suitable for arthritis pain. Each medication has a specific purpose and should only be used when prescribed by a vet.

Dosage Adjustments

The dosage of a medication is calculated based on the weight, age, and health condition of the dog at the time of illness.

If your dog has gained or lost weight since they last took the medication, or if their overall health condition has changed, the old dosage could be incorrect and potentially harmful.

Medication Shelf Life

All medications have an expiry date beyond which their effectiveness diminishes. Some may even become harmful after expiration.

Using expired medication for your dog can lead to ineffective treatment and possibly worsen their condition.

Resistance to Antibiotics

When it comes to antibiotics, it's crucial to complete the entire course, even if your dog seems to feel better. Failure to do so can lead to antibiotic resistance, a serious global health concern.

Using leftover antibiotics could lead to incomplete treatment and contribute to this problem.

Potential for Misdiagnosis

Using old medication based on your observation of symptoms could lead to misdiagnosis. Not all illnesses present with unique symptoms.

For instance, lethargy and loss of appetite could indicate a wide range of issues, from digestive problems to heart disease.

By attempting to treat what might seem like a familiar problem with old medication, you might delay the proper diagnosis and treatment your dog needs.

Don't Re-Use Your Dog's Medication

While it's difficult to see our pets unwell and our intentions might be good, using old medication for a new illness can be harmful and is not recommended. Instead, reach out to your vet at the first sign of illness.

Their knowledge and experience are vital in diagnosing and treating your dog's health problems effectively and safely. Remember, when it comes to medication, it's always better to be guided by a professional.

References

Beaulac K, Fellman CL, Wayne AS, McDermott LA, Snydman DR, Doron S. Impact of antimicrobial use in dogs on antimicrobial resistance and shared flora with human owners. Antimicrob Steward Healthc Epidemiol. 2023 Jan 9;3(1):e1. doi: 10.1017/ash.2022.323. PMID: 36714283; PMCID: PMC9879922.

Candellone A, Badino P, Girolami F, Ala U, Mina F, Odore R. Dog Owners' Attitude toward Veterinary Antibiotic Use and Antibiotic Resistance with a Focus on Canine Diarrhea Management. Animals (Basel). 2023 Mar 15;13(6):1061. doi: 10.3390/ani13061061. PMID: 36978602; PMCID: PMC10044205.

Naziri Z, Poormaleknia M, Ghaedi Oliyaei A. Risk of sharing resistant bacteria and/or resistance elements between dogs and their owners. BMC Vet Res. 2022 May 27;18(1):203. doi: 10.1186/s12917-022-03298-1. PMID: 35624502; PMCID: PMC9137046.