Prescription medications are dangerous to our pets

The bathroom, though perhaps the smallest room in the house, may extend the largest dangers to our felines. Often because of the dangerous contents.

Medications, both over the counter and prescription, offer huge problems if we become careless or absent-minded where we leave them. I know my felines are off-in-a-dash at the sight of a small round, rolling anything on the floor.

We can run into some real potential problems if we develop bad habits about taking our meds. If you leave them out on the counter or night stand we are inviting our felines to investigate. Our felines watch our behaviors, and as soon as we leave something unattended, they are on it to own it.

Today, I would like to have a discussion on safe practices regarding the disposal of unwanted medications and to identify some of the medication that are the most lethal for our pets.

The American Veterinary Medical Association identifies the worst possible ways to dispose of medication. They ask us to never pour or flush medications down drains or toilets. If we use this practice, we are contaminating our drinking water. A wide range of drugs can be found in our rivers, streams and drinking water.

To dispose of medications safely, look for a federal or locally authorized drug disposal site. These locations will give you advice on authorized take-back events, mail-back programs and collection receptacles.

You can also inquire with your veterinarian or pharmacist about such sites. They will be able to tell you if they have state or federal authorization to collect pharmaceuticals for disposal.

Your local environmental authority, department of public health or drug enforcement office may all offer programs or suggestions for disposal.

If your medication does not contain a controlled substance, you may be advised to put it in the trash, with a few precautions.

You should remove your personal information and taint the medication with a substance that makes it unusable; for example, something like litter-box material or waste from the box. Then, you will need to seal the meds with a leakproof container.

Next, you need to be aware of what the most toxic pills are for our pets in case you cannot locate a dropped pill.

The Animal Poison Control Center of the ASPCA has identified its most common medication complaints. A few of these medications are common enough that they might be in your cabinet.

The Poison Control Center identifies ibuprofen as the most common human medicine ingested by pets, especially the coated variety because they have a sweet taste. This drug can cause stomach ulcers and kidney problems.

Another dangerous human pain medication is tramadol. Even if a veterinarian would prescribe this short term for your pet, the dosage would be pet appropriate, not a lethal human dose. The wrong dose of tramadol could cause dizziness, vomiting (with luck) and, ultimately seizures.

Acetaminophen is another common pain reliever that can cause liver damage and damage red blood cells to the extent that they can no longer carry oxygen.

Naproxen, is also a common drug for pain relief. Stomach ulcers and kidney failure are associated with this drug.

The Poison Control Center goes on to list common anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills as health risks to our pets if ingested. A safe suggestion here might be that no human drug is safe for our felines, unless your veterinarian suggests it.

Safety is always the ultimate goal. In all instances, our meds need to be unattainable to our felines.

Adopt-A-Thon ends today: Today ends our two-furs on kittens. Everyone always asks, "If I want two kittens, can I have a discount?" Normally, the answer is no. But today you can get two kittens for one adoption fee. Stop on by.

Rummage sale: On Thursday, Aug. 24, and Friday, Aug. 25, the sale will be open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. at 1611 W. Campbell St., Arlington Heights, in the Westgate Shopping Center. On Saturday, Aug. 26, and Sunday, Aug. 27, the sale is from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. See our website for drop-off dates.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 shelter. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.