Human medicines have been used to treat four-legged creatures to address the same ailments that we often see in humans. This is indeed a big surprise to pet owners.
Let’s meet Martinello, a 15-year-old dog who carries a prescription for Viagra. No, not for making love, but for his heart ailment.
Dr. Brian MacKie, a veterinary cardiologist, said: “We found that he had degenerative valve disease on his heart. But also developed what’s called pulmonary hypertension to a severe degree to where his heart’s not able to push blood through his lungs, causing him to faint.”
Dr. MacKie uses ultrasound to check the dog’s heart function as well as blood pressure. He prescribed Martinello several medicines, including the Generic Viagra that contains Sildenafil Citrate.
The veterinary said, “We also used Sildenafil in aims of reducing the blood pressure in his lungs.”
Frances Morrison, the owner of Martinello, was a bit surprised when Dr. MacKie put his dog on Viagra. Morrison said, “No, I did not think he was serious, I thought he was kidding.” “Dr. MacKie increases the dosage and the pharmacist isn’t aware that the dosage has been increased, it looks like we’re coming too often to pick it up. That is awkward, my husband tells me.”
It is interesting to know that Martinello is not the only one who gets prescriptions from pharmacies.
Dr. Katherine Burt, an emergency veterinarian, said: “There’s anti-depressants that we use in pets for anxiety, sometimes for behavioral concerns. Several antibiotics are safe for our pets that are safe for humans and so we use those.”
Dr. Burt further added that many medications advised to treat human ailments such as infections, arthritis, or even diabetes can treat the same ailments in pets. However, formulations and dosages are different.
“So we would never recommend, for example, that you would give your medication to a pet. We would not be surprised to find out that a pet and its owner are on the same medication,” mentioned Dr. Burt. The same principals apply to bigger animals, even tigers and lions.
An 18-year-old Pele, the lion at Project Survival Cat Haven has many ailments that you often find in an elderly. The founder of Project Survival Cat Heaven, Dale Anderson, said: “Pele is just getting older, so she has arthritis. So we are treating her with three different medications: Tramadol, Gabapentin, and Medicam are the three that we’re using with her at this time.”
Sam, the mountain lion, is on analgesics, who is recovering from surgery. The medicine is injected into a piece of meat, which he readily gobbles down.
Dr. John Reed, a veterinary cardiologist, says medications used for humans provide an opportunity to improve the quality of life of animals. He said, “That’s usually how veterinary medicine works. Humans come out with particular kind of drugs. Veterinarians look at it and try using them. And viola!”
Generic Viagra has worked pretty well to keep Martinello breathing easier so far.
Morrison, the owner, said; “He actually does so well at times he zooms in the house. And Dr. MacKie said he can’t get that worked up, so I have to confine him a little bit, so he doesn’t get too crazy.” “I know these are his golden years and I just want to give him the best possible life we can.”
This gives Martinello and his family to spend more time together. Remember, check with your veterinarian before giving any human medication to your pet. That’s because some medicines – such as Aspirin and Acetaminophen – can be toxic and deadly to your pets.
