Mineral Oil – Petrolatum
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Mineral Oil – Petrolatum during a consultation by Dr Noor. Mineral Oil – Petrolatum for pets.”
Description:
- This medicine is used as a laxative, meaning it helps with constipation.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Another name you may see is Liquid Petrolatum®.
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals:
- it may come as liquid mineral oil, and there are different cat laxative products that come in several flavors.
- For people:
- it may come as liquid mineral oil, and there are many non-prescription (over-the-counter) products available.
Key Information on Mineral Oil – Petrolatum for pets
- This medicine is most often used to help with constipation in cats, dogs, and horses.
- Most animals handle mineral oil well, and side effects are uncommon.
- If it is given into the rectum, some oil may leak out.
- Mineral oil and petrolatum can be bought without a prescription. Do not give mineral oil or petrolatum (or any other over-the-counter medicine) to your animal unless you have first checked with your veterinarian.
How is this medication useful?
- Mineral oil (also called liquid petrolatum) is often used in horses to help with constipation and with fecal impactions (when stool becomes stuck and hard to pass). It can also be used to reduce how much is taken in by the body after an animal has eaten certain poisons that dissolve in fat.
- Products that contain petrolatum are used to help constipation in cats and dogs. They are also used in cats to help prevent hairballs or to make hairballs less of a problem.
- You and your veterinarian can talk about why this medicine is the best option.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
- Many different factors can change how well this medicine works for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can decide together on the safest plan.
- Because mineral oil can react with other drugs, tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal takes. This includes:
- medicines
- vitamins
- supplements
- herbal products
- Also share how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
- If your animal has had the same problem in the past, tell your veterinarian what was used before and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss with your veterinarian what risks may come with using this medicine.
- Also tell your veterinarian and pharmacist if your animal has had side effects from medicines before. Examples listed include:
- allergic reactions
- not wanting to eat
- diarrhea
- itching
- hair loss
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
- You should expect this medicine to start helping your animal feel better within 1 to 2 days. After that, the signs you are seeing should get better.
- This medicine does not last long in the body. Its effect ends within 24 hours.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
- No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any special concerns for your animal.
- If your animal has any of the conditions listed below, speak with your veterinarian about the possible risks compared with the possible benefits.
- That are allergic to it.
- That are pregnant or very ill.
- With swallowing problems, when being given by mouth.
What are the side effects of this medication?
- If this medicine is used in small amounts and only for a short time, side effects should be uncommon.
- If it is used into the rectum, oil may leak out.
- Lung problems can happen. If oil forms are given by mouth, the animal may breathe in the oil by accident, and this can harm the lungs. In animals, liquid mineral oil is usually not given by mouth. Contact your veterinarian right away if you think your animal has breathed in the mineral oil.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
- Giving too much mineral oil can lead to problems involving the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes.
- If you see an overdose happen, or you think it may have happened, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center right away for guidance.
How should this medication be given?
- To get the intended effect, give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian instructed.
- It is helpful to read the label each time so you confirm you are giving it the correct way.
- If you are using a liquid or gel form, measure it with care. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special spoons or syringes to help you measure.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas on how to give doses and how to make medication time less stressful.
- Keep giving this medicine for the full time listed on the label, unless your veterinarian tells you to stop. If you want to stop earlier, talk with your veterinarian first, because there may be important reasons to continue.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
- If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember.
- However, if it is almost time for the next dose, do not give the missed one. Instead, skip it and give the next dose at the normal time.
- After that, go back to the usual schedule.
- Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in the original prescription container and store it at room temperature.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist has prepared a custom-made version (a compounded product) for your animal, follow the storage instructions and the expiration date that come with that product.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
- There are no special safety steps required for handling this medicine.
- Even so, it is recommended that you wash your hands after touching any medicine.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not pour this medicine into the toilet and do not rinse it down a sink.
- If your area has a community medicine “take-back” program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program, combine the medicine with:
- coffee grounds
- cat litter
- This helps make it less appealing to children and animals and harder for people to recognize if they search through trash.
- Then put the mixture into a sealable plastic bag so it cannot leak, and throw the sealed bag into the household trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Mineral oil and petrolatum can be purchased without a prescription. Do not give laxatives or any other over-the-counter medicines to your animal unless you have first spoken with a veterinarian.
- In some animal competitions, using this medicine may not be permitted. Check the rules before entering your animal in a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine.
- Do not switch between forms (for example, from gel to liquid) unless you first check with a veterinarian or pharmacist, because the dose may not match between forms.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”
Mineral Oil – Petrolatum for pets may be discussed during an Annual Health Checks for Pets visit, when arranging Medication Refills for Chronic Pet Conditions, or through Medication Supply at Home with a mobile vet Perth.