Dr. Erin Felty talks about the toxicity of giving Ibuprofen to dogs at the Riverview Animal Hospital Tuesday, July 18, 2017, in Chattanooga, Tenn. Felty said it would be better for the dog to be in pain until the proper medication could be purchased than for the pet to take Ibuprofen. Never give a dog ibuprofen before consulting a veterinarian.
When the choice is pain, pill or a vet, local veterinarian Dr. Erin Felty advises pet owners to choose the vet.
“A dog in pain is something we can fix, but administering Advil may be life-threatening,” says Felty, who treats animals at Riverview Animal Hospital.
Felty’s message echoes a report issued by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that breaks down the most common pet toxins across the nation. Ibuprofen is the most common cause of pet toxicity in several states, including Tennessee and Georgia. In Alabama, the most common toxin is oral flea medication.
The ASPCA compiles the yearly report based on calls to its Animal Poison Control Center.