Over the counter medicines

[Ewa]

I was wondering what the possibilitys were for over the counter medicines. I am not in need of any at the moments , just want to get ahead of the game.
Are there any over the counter rat medicines?
Which medicines that were originally for human are safe for Emergencys for your rats? I heard on here somewhere about infant Tylenol?
I want to make a list of medicines and what they are for just encase I have a rat in need and the vet is closed.

 

[lilspaz68]

infant ibuprofen is for pain and for swelling (an NSAID like metacam)
infant tylenol is more for pain

Childrens Sudafed is for congestion
Children's Benadryl is for allergies

You can use children's ointments for cuts and abrasions and eye ointments as long as there's no steroid in it which can cause serious problems with open wounds.

Boost and Ensure are great for encouraging a dehdrated rat to drink or you can make up a dehydration formula at home or even use Pedialyte.

 

[Ewa]

Oh wow , I didn't realize you could use all those! That is very helpful thank you

 

[Godmother]

I understand that you can use Kaopectate for a rat with diarrhea, although everyone on here just uses crackers or rice/apple/banana/toast.

 

[lilangel]

Childrens Sudafed is for congestion

For that witch one do you buy? the cough & cold or the Nasal De congestion one?

http://www.sudafed.com/#children

btw if anyone is going to go out and buy some of this there is coupons on the site you can print out http://www.sudafed.com/#offer

 

[Maple]

I understand that you can use Kaopectate for a rat with diarrhea, although everyone on here just uses crackers or rice/apple/banana/toast.

I know for dogs you can feed pumpkin. I wonder if that would work for rats as well.

 

Children's Benadryl is for allergies

I have sneezy rats, either because they have an allergy or because they are just sneezers. All sicknesses have been ruled out. So would it hurt to try this stuff? and how much would they get?

 

[blackie sage]

Childrens Sudafed is for congestion

For that witch one do you buy? the cough & cold or the Nasal De congestion one?

http://www.sudafed.com/#children

btw if anyone is going to go out and buy some of this there is coupons on the site you can print out http://www.sudafed.com/#offer

The Cough and Cold one has a cough suppressant in it (dextromethropan). You don't want that, or so I've read. I'm sure someone here knows the reason better than I.

Just the decongestant one would be the safest.

 

[Rachael]

You obviously don't get it there but i use children calpol which controls pain.

 

[Cityratt]

Its just important to remember that these medications are made for people, and that without the advice of a veterinarian (who physically looks at your rat) It can sometimes be difficult to assess what really may be wrong.
Thats not to say that it is not good to have a list of "rat safe" medications to get you through the night/weekend etc before you can get to your veterinarian - but personally I would always recommend to seek veterinary advice in conjunction with over the counter medications (also to check if your rat is on other medications as different medications can react in different ways, or different medications may exacerbate underlying, unrelated conditions) and proper weights and dosing of these medications, as well as ensuring that the medication you buy contains ONLY the medical ingredient that you are looking for (like Blackie Sage mentioned, some medications have other medical ingredients other than the "rat safe" medication you may be looking for) if in doubt, write down the medication name you are looking for and ask the pharmacist!