Mitzy's Mom

 Raving lUnAtIc!

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| 10/23/2007 3:17 PM |
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I was looking for Benedryl dosage and found this website...very helpful to know which human medications can also be given to dogs! http://www.vetpets.net/animaltimes/humandrugs.html
Human Drugs are for Humans
I have recently been asked by several clients and a few emailing readers about giving their pets over-the-counter human medications for a variety of different conditions. One client even wanted to know if she could treat her dog’s separation anxiety with her own prescription anti-anxiety medication. I had never even heard of the drug she was using. Well, I would like to preface this article by urging you to PLEASE NOT GIVE YOUR PET ANY HUMAN MEDICATIONS WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR VETERINARIAN FIRST. The physiology of a dog or cat is very different than that of a human, and what is safe for us may very well be deadly for them.
Case in point: acetaminophen (Tylenol® . This is a drug that is extensively used in humans and is very safe. When given to a dog, it can cause serious liver damage. When given to a cat, it changes their hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of the blood, to met-hemoglobin, which cannot carry oxygen. As a result, they literally suffocate and die very quickly unless an antidote is administered. I have had to treat many cats whose owners thought that they had a fever, and that a little Tylenol would help. To say the least, they were rudely awakened.
Now, there are many drugs out there that are used in both veterinary and human medicine, so not everything labeled for humans is bad for pets. However the dosage can vary tremendously. Ketoprofen (Orudis® is a safe and effective anti-inflammatory in dogs, but the dog dose is 1/50th the human dose. Have you seen how tiny those tablets are? Try breaking one into 50 equal pieces. On the other hand, the dose for diphenhydramine (Benadryl® in dogs and cats is 1-2 mg/lb. That means that a 50-pound dog would take 50-100 mg. Now I’m not a small man, and 50 mg of Benadryl knocks me on my butt! And one of my clients wondered why a 25 mg Benadryl didn’t help his Great Dane.
Here is a list of a few of the over-the-counter medications that you can give your pet in an emergency. Please remember to contact your veterinarian before medicating your pet, and do not give these medications long-term unless your veterinarian recommends it. Also reMEMBER that just because some is good, more is not necessarily better, and that two similar medications used to treat the same problem in humans can have very different effects in an animal.
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®
– Dogs and cats can be given 1-2 mg/lb every eight hours. This can be used to treat allergic reactions, and it also has some anti-anxiety and anti-vertigo effects. As a general rule, it is pretty safe stuff. The primary side effect is drowsiness, so please do not allow your pet to drink alcohol or operate heavy machinery while taking it.
- Buffered Aspirin (Bufferin®, Ascriptin ®
– Dogs can take 5-12.5 mg/lb every 12 hours for pain, inflammation and fever. I usually recommend one regular-strength tablet (325 mg) for a 50-60 lb. dog. It can be given to cats, but at a much lower and less frequent dosage interval, so it is best just to steer clear of aspirin in a cat unless prescribed by your vet. Side effects include stomach upset (note that ‘Buffered’ is underlined) and decreased blood clotting.
- Kaolin/Pectin (Kaopectate®
– This product can be used to treat diarrhea. It used to be very safe in both dogs and cats, but the brand-name stuff has recently been reformulated to contain salicylates, which are potentially dangerous to cats. The dose for both is 0.5-1 mg/lb every 4-6 hours, but make sure that you use the original formula for cats. The main side effect is constipation.
- Bismuth Subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol®
- This product can be used to treat nausea and diarrhea, but it shouldn’t be used in cats, because it contains salicylates. It is the anti-diarrheal of choice in ferrets. The dosage is 1 ml/8-10 lbs every 6-8 hours for dogs, and 0.5-1 ml/lb every 8 hours for ferrets. Side effects include discoloration of stools.
- Chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton®, Aller-Chlor®
– This is a good antihistamine to assist with managing sneezing and sinus allergies in dogs and cats. It comes in 4 mg tablets, and is dosed at ½-1 tablet per cat every 12 hours, and 1-2 tablets per dog (up to a maximum dose of 0.25 mg/lb) every 8-12 hours. It can also cause drowsiness.
- Dextromethorphan/Guaifenesin (Robitussin DM ®
– This product can be used to treat coughing in dogs, cats and ferrets, at a dosage of 0.5 ml/lb every 8 hours. Make sure that it is the ‘DM’ product only, and remember that coughing can be a symptom of some very serious diseases. It can also cause some mild sedation.
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids: Mitzy, Mayfly, Gilby & Skipper http://h2hrescue.org/ "YOUR OWN PATH YOU MAKE WITH EVERY STEP YOU TAKE" - Joseph Campbell |
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BonitaKaz

 Bratty Ratty

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| 10/23/2007 3:26 PM |
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| I'm so glad you posted this! |
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*Bonita* Mom to Nibbler & Laika! |
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swedishfish5

 Ratastic

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| 10/23/2007 3:43 PM |
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| thanks for the info!! |
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Mommy to KAMI and MACIE  |
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bethann

 Rat-A-Tat-Tat

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| 10/23/2007 3:49 PM |
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| Very good information. Thanks for posting! |
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Beth, Sadies pooper scooper |
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spence9118

 Terrier Terror

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| 10/23/2007 4:16 PM |
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| This needs to be a STICKY!!! Thanks for the Info! |
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Erica- Charlie and Tucker's Mommy
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DaisysMom

 Moderator

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| 10/23/2007 5:12 PM |
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Consider this a sticky. Great information, Mary Beth! Thanks so much  |
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Tracey - Darlin' Daisy's Mom
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tauney4

 Alpha Feist

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| 10/23/2007 6:18 PM |
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| HEY THNAKS FOR THE INFORMATION THAT IS QUITE HANDY! |
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Cathy

 Rattie

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| 10/24/2007 8:59 AM |
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Great info !! Thanks!
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Teddys Mom Cathy |
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momto3

Terrier Terror

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| 10/28/2007 9:17 AM |
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Great info., thanks so much! |
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michelle

 Firehouse Big Dog

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| 10/28/2007 10:08 AM |
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Great info, I printed off a copy and put on me refrig. |
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michelle, mom to Sydney (JRT), Sonic (Rattie), Buddy(Jack-Rat) and Proud mom to Army son, Jordan
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rattagan's mom

 Feisty

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| 11/23/2007 2:22 PM |
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Thank you so much for posting this. It is very informative and helpful. The only thing I've ever given Ratty is asprin and only when my vet told me too. It is good to know what I can do to help him when he is hurting. Do you happen to know what I can do to help his breath smell better. His breath is so bad it can gag you . You definately don't want doggie kisses from him. Can't hardly stand to have him sit in my lap its is really that bad.
Thanks,
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Janie, Mom to the Palm Bay Rat Pack Rest in peace our darling Girl Baby, Cameo Nora 10/24/07-11/06/09 Rest in peace Cutter Bug Gotcha 8/2/08 Died 11/17/09 Rest in Peace Rattagan Lee 2/16/1997-3/29/2011
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KendraAnn

Ratastic

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| 12/27/2007 9:07 PM |
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This is helpful information. I know that when my puppy fell, he got a huge bruise on his backside. I called my vet and he said only 1 baby aspirin. He said that only 1-2, and then if it was still causing him pain I needed to come in and get some different meds. I guess that these meds can cause them to get upset tummies. He then prescribed him some Novox 2x/day until he got all better!  |
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-Kendra (Blue's Mom) |
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Hayden

Ratterific

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| 01/10/2008 2:05 PM |
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| Using Benadryl is also helpful for traveling. We took our pup on a plane ride and the vet recommended to take it an hour our so before our last flight so she would be sleepy and have a more comfortable ride in her carrier. It worked great. She started getting a little antsy during the 8 hours in the airport so I know our fellow passengers appreciated it. |
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abullard

Ratterific

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| 01/30/2008 2:44 PM |
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| is there any cure on colds~buddys mom |
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Sassy'sMama

 Pack Leader

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| 01/30/2008 2:52 PM |
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| I'm so glad you posted this, invaluable info.... |
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~~Jan~~ Mama to Sassy
Untill one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened |
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brittania98

 Ratterific

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| 02/12/2008 4:57 PM |
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| thank you thank you thank you! |
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Brittany (Clyde and Chloe) |
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Gari-AnnTX

 Ratastic

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| 04/22/2008 10:22 AM |
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| Good info! My vet also told me (yesterday in fact) to give my dog a 1/2 of a child's dose of immodium for her explosive diarrhea. :x |
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Gari-AnnTX

 Ratastic

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| 04/22/2008 10:24 AM |
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As a general rule, it is pretty safe stuff. The primary side effect is drowsiness, so please do not allow your pet to drink alcohol or operate heavy machinery while taking it. LOL! |
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alice4512

 Firehouse Big Dog

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| 04/22/2008 10:29 AM |
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the visual for "explosive" diarrhea makes me giggle.  

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"A dog will quickly turn you into a fool, but who cares? Better your dog than your boss. I'm a fool for my dog and proud of it."
~Mom to my good boy Fred and my crazy girl Alice~
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buttonbutt

Newbie

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| 04/22/2008 11:43 AM |
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| One you could add to the list, MB is my vet just prescribed Loratadine, generic Claratin (but NOT Claratin-D!!!) for allergic reactions. She prescribed 1/2 tab once a day for my 12 lb.Zipper. And it seemed to help her more than Benadryl. |
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Mitzy's Mom

 Raving lUnAtIc!

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| 04/22/2008 12:15 PM |
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| Thanks Peggy! I thought I saw somewhere that dogs could be given that. Good to know as I've got Mayfly and Skipper's allergies acting up right now. |
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids: Mitzy, Mayfly, Gilby & Skipper http://h2hrescue.org/ "YOUR OWN PATH YOU MAKE WITH EVERY STEP YOU TAKE" - Joseph Campbell |
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ASLacey

 Rattie

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| 04/30/2008 12:16 PM |
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Great article ... I remember one time my shepherd mix had gotten into some sort of bugs nest (spiders?) and his whole face started to swell up (not his tongue though, phew). It was a Friday night and I called the on-call vet who asked if I had any children's benedryl in the house (we have kids so we ALWAYS have benedryl!!!) ... sure enough a few minutes after we gave it to him, the swelling started to subside and he took a NICE LONG SNOOZE!!!
I may call the vet about a dosage of the robatussin for Minerva ... seems that she caught kennel cough from our new puppy (even though he'd been vaccinated for it) ... but she's eating fine, playing fine, drinking fine ... so the vet said as long as she's acting normal otherwise, it should just take it's course, since she's otherwise to healthy!!! She just sounds like a little baby seal, poor thing!!
Lacey |
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KLO

Rattie

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| 07/25/2008 3:16 PM |
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I can only find Benadryl in the 25mg dose. My Scooter only weights around 13-14 lbs. so how much would I give him? Should I cut the tablet in half or what? Thanks for the help on this. The vet just told me to give him 2 tabs a day for allergies but that is all he said. I know I should find a new vet but it's not possible right now due to other issues in my life. But poor Scooters belly get just so broken out and irritated I have to do something. The shots from the vet take about 2 weeks to do anything for him, in the meantime he is suffering. |
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Mitzy's Mom

 Raving lUnAtIc!

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| 07/26/2008 5:30 PM |
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| I give mine the 12.5 mg children's chewables...if allergies are bad I give them one in the morning and then another at night and mine weight 11-15 lbs....so you might want to break the pill in half. But - it wouldn't hurt to just call your vet and ask him....I know at my vet's office I can call the receptionist and ask something like that and she'll ask the vet and let me know...it's pretty easy and doesn't cost anything. JMO |
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids: Mitzy, Mayfly, Gilby & Skipper http://h2hrescue.org/ "YOUR OWN PATH YOU MAKE WITH EVERY STEP YOU TAKE" - Joseph Campbell |
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KLO

Rattie

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| 07/29/2008 2:43 PM |
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| Thanks Mitzy's Mom! I'll look for the children's chew-ables at another store and see if I can find them. His allergies are really bad and I've read that the shots aren't good for their liver so I don't want to give them if at all possible. |
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anohal

 Ratastic

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| 10/26/2008 9:03 PM |
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| thanks so much for the info my mixed up mutt schatzie has gotten her yearly cold and coughs up a storm good to know i can give her the robitussin dm just aon a fun note when i was younger the family dog a american spitz contracted basically doggie larangitis the vet had my mom mash potatoes and wrap then in a t-towel and tie them around her neck the moist heat held in the potatoes for quite some time and it did wonders forthe dog within 3 days she was all better |
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mphillips

 Ratterific

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| 11/11/2008 12:53 PM |
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This has been incredibly informative. Thanks for the information. There was on medication that was left off, Dramamine. Our dog has these spells where she walks funny, almost like a stroke or seizure. The vet said that this is a side effect of getting older and as long as she comes out of it, she is fine. Well, she does come out of it, but it sometimes takes several days. At one point, after talking to the vet, I gave her Xanax. Believe it or not, it did not phase her. Now I was wondering about Dramamine. If anyone knows anything, that would be helpful.
Otherwise, this was a great posting. Thanks again! |
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p5prolady

Newbie

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| 11/11/2008 1:12 PM |
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I remember many years ago, I had a dog that leaked urine involuntarily after she was spayed. The vet had put her on a synthetic Rx hormone DES, but after some years, another vet suggested another OTC medicine. He wrote it down, and I went to the drugstore, and approached the pharmacist to ask where it might be. The name of the drug was phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride. He saw that it was on the vets note paper, and I told him it was for my dog. He kind of smirked and pointed at the diet aids aisle. It was Dexatrim, fer cryin' out loud, lol. But it did work, and at a lesser cost than the Rx. Unfortunately, they took it off the market.... You can give a dog dramamine, if this is a "balance" disorder, it might help with dizziness. I had the generic that I took when I had labryinthitis and had a terrible vertigo problem for weeks! It kept me upright and somewhat functional... |
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Mitzy's Mom

 Raving lUnAtIc!

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| 11/11/2008 4:23 PM |
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| Yep, you can give Dramamine. My vet recommended it for a foster I had that got car sickness. It was half a pill to start and if that wasn't enough then add 1/4 pill. Worked great for her as we had to drive her from St. Marys to Savannah, 2 hour drive, and she snoozed most of the way. It was stress in her case and the last I heard from her adoptive parents she doesn't need it anymore! |
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids: Mitzy, Mayfly, Gilby & Skipper http://h2hrescue.org/ "YOUR OWN PATH YOU MAKE WITH EVERY STEP YOU TAKE" - Joseph Campbell |
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mphillips

 Ratterific

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| 11/13/2008 12:13 AM |
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| Awesome information. I feel so sorry for her when she is going through the episodes and the vet was vague about what it was. The only thing he said was that if she snaps out of it, it's not a brain tumor. So we know that much. I guess I will try the dramamine next time she has a problem. It makes me wonder if dogs get Vertigo. I love this website. |
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