As a pet parent to a canine companion, you probably already know that dogs eat just about anything and everything! This even includes medicated creams such as hydrocortisone cream! Yuck!
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Has your dog eaten hydrocortisone cream? Are you worried hydrocortisone cream will make him sick? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We know it’s scary when your dog eats something he shouldn’t.
In this article, we’ll take a look at hydrocortisone cream and whether or not it can make your dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Hydrocortisone Cream?
Hydrocortisone cream is used to treat a wide range of skin conditions in humans. It’s a medicated cream that contains a mild steroid, which works to reduce swelling, itching, and redness that can come with insect bites, dermatitis, and other types of skin issues.
This type of medication is also used for dogs. Hydrocortisone cream is used for the same types of skin conditions in our canine friends. However, never use human hydrocortisone cream on your dog unless the vet advises you to do this.
Hydrocortisone creams for humans are available in both prescription and OTC doses.
Hydrocortisone is considered a safe medication for both human and veterinary use; however, what happens if a dog eats hydrocortisone cream?
Why Would a Dog Eat Hydrocortisone Cream?
Dogs are intensely curious about their environment—if they find something new, like a tube of cortisone cream, they may eat some of the cream to see if it’s good to eat or not.
Your vet may have prescribed hydrocortisone cream for your fur baby’s skin condition. In that case, your dog may have licked himself while grooming, eating some of the cream in the process.
Accidents do happen! But the important thing is to make sure your dog gets to the vet if he’s showing any symptoms after ingesting this cream.
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Ask a Vet Live NowHydrocortisone Cream & Dogs
Hydrocortisone creams can be safe for dogs; however, if your dog eats them, he may develop some digestive tract issues.
In addition, 5-fluorouracil is a type of hydrocortisone cream that is toxic to dogs. If your dog has eaten this type of cream, then call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
In addition, be sure to see if your dog has eaten any of the cream’s packaging. If he has, then the packaging could cause another problem called an intestinal blockage. This is a condition that can lead to death if not treated.
Symptoms of Hydrocortisone Cream Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog has eaten hydrocortisone cream:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Panting
- Pacing
- Increased thirst or hunger
- Abdominal pain
- Black, tarry stool
Depending on the amount of cream your dog has eaten, these symptoms should pass in a day or two. If they don’t, then it’s time to call the vet. And if you’re concerned or worried, then it’s best to call the vet. They can provide you with the best advice on what you can do for your fur baby next.
What to Do If Your Dog’s Ingested Hydrocortisone Cream?
Do not induce vomiting unless the vet has instructed you to do so.
The first thing to do is to stay calm. It can be scary when your fur baby has eaten something he shouldn’t have. But the key is to stay calm for you and your dog.
Next, check to see how much of the cream your fur baby has eaten. Did he also eat the tube or did he chew it? If your dog has also eaten the tube, call the vet immediately.
Call your vet if your dog has eaten a large amount of the cream. Watch for any of the symptoms listed above. If your canine companion develops any of these (or other concerning) symptoms, call the vet right away.
Prevention
The best way to keep your dog happy and healthy is to ensure that all medications (including his) are kept out of your dog’s reach. Be sure to keep all cabinets, closets, and drawers closed to keep your fur baby out of medications and other things he shouldn’t eat.
The good news is that in most cases, a dog that eats hydrocortisone cream will make a full recovery!
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Kyoko
Kyoko is from a family of 3 and moved to New York with her parents and siblings when she was 13. Kyoko is fond of spending a great amount of time with pets, specifically her beagle Luna and cat Missy. Her boyfriend often complains that she spends too much time giving attention to their animals. Kyoko has written dozens of articles concerning pets and is aiming at owning a pet shop one day!
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