Can you give pets the same medicines that we use?

For cats--NO! It is VERY DANGEROUS to give ANY medications to cats that were not specifically prescribed by your cat's doctor. Cats are unable to metabolize many common over-the-counter human remedies; in fact, aspirin, Tylenol, and Advil are deadly poison to cats. If you feel your cat needs medication, it is ill enough to justify an examination by one of the Windmill Animal Hospital doctors. Safe and appropriate medications, if indicated, will then be dispensed.

For dogs--ALMOST NEVER!! In contrast to cats, there are a FEW human medications that are safe to use in dogs. However, ALL drugs in the aspirin/Tylenol/Advil class, including Alleve, are NOT to be used in dogs. Also, most human antihistamine/decongestant/anticough medications have additives that can cause hallucinations, seizures and other highly dangerous side effects in dogs. Anytime you contemplate using a human medication in your dog, please call Windmill Animal Hospital first, to not only double-check the safety and dosage of the medication, but to check if the problem may be serious enough to bring the dog in for an examination by one of our doctors.