Question:
Is it common practice to prescribe promethazine to dogs? My parents vet prescribed it to our 7 year old Pomeranian for kennel cough and I believe it resulted in the cessation of his breathing. He was relaxing with my mother when he jumped up gasping for air.

A:  Just like any medications, there are potential side effects.

I have personally never used this medication, but it is listed as one of the medications that is commonly used for collapsing trachea and can be used in cases of kennel cough.  Reading the drug information, some of the few side effects possible are cardiopulmonary and respiratory suppression.  Therefore, it is likely that it was the medication that may have caused some respiratory depression in your little dog.  I would recommend stopping the medication and calling your veterinarian.

~Dr. Page Wages

Oberlin Animal Hospital

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