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What happens if your dog sees you taking medication? Does he come and beg for some? While this may sound strange, it’s a very common occurrence. Dogs may also help themselves to your medication, such as Acyclovir. But what happens if a dog eats Acyclovir?
Has your dog eaten Acyclovir? Are you worried that Acyclovir will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary if your dog eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about Acyclovir and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Acyclovir?
Acyclovir is used to treat people who have sores or blisters caused by chickenpox, herpes zoster (also called shingles), or outbreaks of genital herpes. This prescription medication is also used to prevent outbreaks of genital herpes in people who are infected with the virus.
Acyclovir works by stopping the spread of the herpes virus in the body. This medicine does not cure genital herpes, and it may not prevent the spread of this virus to others.
While Acyclovir is considered safe for humans (when used as directed), what about dogs? What happens if a dog eats Acyclovir?
Acyclovir & Dogs
Acyclovir is used in veterinary medicine to treat canine herpes. However, the dose is usually smaller than that for humans.
Even so, it’s possible for a dog to overdose on his own Acyclovir or his pet parent’s if he eats too much of the medication.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Acyclovir Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten Acyclovir:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lack of appetite
- Lethargy
If you notice these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Acyclovir Toxicity in Dogs
There is no antidote for Acyclovir toxicity in dogs. So, the vet may try to induce vomiting and use activated charcoal to remove the medication from your dog’s system. It may also be necessary for the vet to use gastric lavage to get the medicine out of the dog’s system.
Other treatments will be supportive, for instance, your fur baby may require an IV for fluids and to administer medications. The vet will also treat other symptoms as they arise.
Your canine companion may need to be hospitalized until he’s in stable condition. But this depends on the severity of his symptoms.
The prognosis is best for dogs who receive prompt medical treatment after ingesting Acyclovir. In the future, it’s a good idea to keep this and all medications out of your dog’s reach. You’ll both be happier for it!
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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