To treat many dog’s health issues and help their furry friends, dog owners and veterinarians sometimes rely on humans medication such as Robitussin (Dextromethorphan).
The FDA does not approve Robitussin (Dextromethorphan) for animal use, but veterinarians still prescribe Robitussin for dogs with mild coughs and dry kennel coughs.
Not all humans medicines are safe for dogs, but some help to relieve your canine health problems.
Please note that knowing the safe dosage and safe type of Robitussin for your canine is most important.
Vets usually prescribe Robitussin DM for dogs because the Robitussin AC variant contains a codeine component that is not safe for dogs.
This advice is definitely not for all coughing dogs. Heck, it’s probably not even appropriate for the majority of coughing dogs. This (guaifenesin) is a poor choice for dogs with congestive heart failure. It’s a poor choice as monotherapy for respiratory infections. It’s a poor choice as monotherapy for pulmonary allergies without also addressing the inflammatory component of said allergies.
How much Robitussin DM for Dogs?
Robitussin is an OTC cough and cold suppressant. The safe dose of Robitussin for dogs is 0.5 to 1mg/lbs or 1 to 1.5mg/kg every 8-12 hours. Do not give the medicine to puppies Under 5 pounds. The ideal and safe amount of Robitussin depends on the dog’s body weight and the illness’s severity. The only safe variety of the medicine is Robitussin DM. Do not give the AC variant.
Servedogs always recommend veterinarian advice because your vet can better decide the safe dose of any drug after a physical checkup and observing the severity of the illness.
In the event of a seizure, please remain as calm as possible to reduce additional stress on your pet. Wrap your pet in a blanket (or lay on something soft), lay him/her on their side, and reduce lighting until the seizure stops (usually within 1-3 minutes). DO NOT PUT YOUR FINGERS IN YOUR PETS MOUTH, THEY WILL NOT SWALLOW THEIR TONGUE. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. If the seizure continues for more than 5 minutes, take your pet immediately to the veterinarian.
Remove food and water and offering nothing by mouth for 4 hours. If no more vomiting has occurred, offer small amounts of water, pedialyte or gatorade. Wait approximately an hour and if your pet is able to hold the liquid down, you may offer more liquids. Food should not be offered for 12-24 hours. Then food may be reintroduced in small amounts. If your pet is still unable to keep food down, please contact us. In dogs under 10 pounds, give a small amount (about a teaspoon) of maple syrup or Karo syrup every 2-4 hours while withholding food. This will help prevent hypoglycemia.
We want you to have an accurate & safe OTC medication reference that is always available to you on our website. It is never safe to assume that a human medication is a safe and effective treatment for your pet, so if you have any questions, please speak with a veterinarian. Although these medications are generally safe when administered as described below, they may not be appropriate in every case. Of course, this information is NOT meant to replace the examination and diagnosis of a veterinarian and should be used at your own discretion.
The only OTC pain medication that you may give your DOG is Aspirin. If your dog is on any other medications, please check with a veterinarian before giving a dose. Aspirin should not be given if your dog is currently taking any steroids (i.e., prednisone) or an NSAID (i.e., Deramaxx, Metacam, Rimadyl, etc.). At most, Aspirin should only be given for 2-3 days, if your dogs pain persists beyond that, please contact your veterinarian.
In the unfortunate event that you have found your pet with a wound or laceration, first protect yourself from being bitten before trying to treat the wound. Although your pet may be the sweetest thing on the planet, sometimes a painful injury will trigger him/her to bite or bite at you as you try to help him/her. Once safely restrained, apply direct pressure to stop any bleeding and bandage the wound lightly (if possible). Most lacerations can be sutured for up to 12 hours after an injury, if the wound is kept clean and veterinary care is given within that time. For deeper or infected wounds, water and antibacterial soap are the best means of cleaning these wounds. Once wounds are clean, regular Neosporin or triple antibiotic ointment can be safely applied to dogs and cats.