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It’s not uncommon for dogs to be extremely curious about what they see their pet parents eating. For instance, a dog may think his pet parent is having a great snack when they’re actually taking medication, such as Amantadine! If the medicine container’s left where the dog can reach it, he may help himself to what he thinks is a yummy snack. But what happens if a dog eats Amantadine?
Has your dog eaten Amantadine? Are you worried that Amantadine will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about Amantadine and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Amantadine?
Amantadine is a prescription medication for humans. It’s used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. The medicine may be used alone or with other medications to improve muscle control and reduce stiffness.
Amantadine is also an antiviral medication that is used to prevent or treat certain types of influenza infections.
While Amantadine can be beneficial for humans (when used as directed), what about dogs? What happens if a dog eats Amantadine?
Amantadine & Dogs
Amantadine is also used in veterinary medicine to treat pain in dogs and cats. This is an off-label use of the medication. It may be paired with other pain medications, including opioids, NSAIDS, or gabapentin. The medication is usually given to dogs and cats in a capsule, tablet, or liquid solution.
It is possible that a dog could experience the symptoms of an overdose of Amantadine if he ate too much of this medication. The normal dosage of Amantadine for dogs is 2-5mg/kg of body weight.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Amantadine Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten Amantadine:
- Tremors
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Excess gas
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Incoordination
- Excessive drooling
If you notice these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Treatment of Amantadine Ingestion in Dogs
The vet may try to induce vomiting and use activated charcoal to decontaminate your dog’s system. They may also use gastric lavage to remove the medication from your dog’s stomach.
In addition, the vet may give your dog an IV with fluids and to administer medications. In some cases, it may be necessary for your fur baby to be hospitalized until he’s in stable condition.
The prognosis is best for dogs who receive prompt medical treatment after ingesting Amantadine. In the future, it’s best to keep Amantadine 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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