Some Medical Treatments Are the Same for Humans and Pets

Have you ever wondered why your dog or cat’s veterinarian will reference your body when explaining a treatment for your dog or cat?  This is because many disorders are the same for humans and our furry friends. 

By associating the treatment with your own body it may make it easier to understand why they are recommending it.  Another thought behind this is that if the treatment is safe enough for us humans, it is safe enough for our furry children too.  

Dogs, cats, and humans can all suffer from cancer, arthritis, and growing pains, and they are roughly the same causes and can be treated in similar ways.  That’s why some of the tests you’ll see on animals are applied to humans after, and why some animals get the same treatments that are effective on humans.

It is no surprise that dogs and cats are biologically different like how we can eat chocolate but they cannot because of the stimulants theobromine and caffeine in chocolate are toxic at certain levels.  And how a dog or cat's stomach is more acidic than ours which is how they can handle the bacteria in raw meats and we cannot.

Some of our body functionality and systems are equal to our dog and cat’s bodies, so the same treatment is equally effective.  Our muscles are all made of the same types of tissues and proteins, and arnica has the same anti-inflammatory effect on them whether human, feline, or canine.  Here are five common diseases that are similar for dogs, cats, and people, and where a doctor and veterinarian may recommend the same treatment regardless of species.

Cancer

Even though it happens at different rates, all three species can have cancer.  Lymphoma makes up 20% of cancer diagnoses in dogs and 30% in cats according to Papaya Veterinary Care, while 5% of human cancers within our immune system are lymphomatic.  

Roughly 13% of women may get breast cancer in their lives, and roughly 30% to 40% of cats will get cancer, and it is the third most common type of cancer in cats.  And breast cancer impacts 25% of unspayed female dogs.

Just like in humans, dogs and cats with breast cancer will follow a standard set of treatments starting with surgery, then going to chemo, and following a similar path to eliminate the cancers.  And this doesn’t apply to breast cancer alone, our bodies and our best buddies respond similarly to cancer treatments so if it is good enough for us, it is good enough for them.

Arthritis

Roughly 21% of people will be diagnosed with arthritis which is comparable to dogs at 20% and cats are at a higher risk with roughly 40% to 92% being diagnosed.  There is no cure for arthritis in dogs, cats, or humans, but it can be slowed and the treatments are the same.

Although humans can take ibuprofen as an anti-inflammatory for arthritis, dogs and cats cannot.  But dogs and cats can take CBD for mobility and joint pain just like humans use CBD for arthritis pain, and all of us can benefit from active ingredients like arnica.

Arthritis in humans, dogs, and cats is the same where the joints become inflamed as the bones rub together, and the treatments are roughly similar with the goal being to reduce the inflammation.  And some exercise may be good for humans, as well as dogs and cats, when it comes to reducing joint pain from arthritis.  Just don’t overdo it and make sure it is helping them vs. making it worse by talking to your pet’s veterinarian first.

Anxiety

Yes, anxiety is the same in dogs and cats as it is in humans.  Separation anxiety can occur when their favorite human, or all humans, leave for school and work just like separation anxiety happens when a child sees their parents leave.  The same applies when your significant other goes on a work trip.

Babies, dogs, and cats cannot understand English so there is no way to help them understand you’ll only be gone for 15 minutes or be in the other room.  But dogs, cats, and babies can all benefit from calming stimuli that help relieve their separation anxiety with scents, smells like lavender, and comforting touches.

The same applies to storms, loud noises, and travel.  People that are sensitive to barometric drops may be able to detect storms coming just like an animal that scents the air.  

People can find thunder frightening just like it is to cats and dogs, especially when they have sensory disorders with sound.  Animals may hate the thought of traveling because of the unknown destination and being stuck in a carrier, just like we feel anxiety with getting on a plane and being stuck inside flying through the air at hundreds of miles per hour.

Treatments here could be blocking the sounds with music or a good movie until the storm passes, and just like a person would take medication to feel calm, there is CBD for dog and cat anxiety.  

Seizures

Seizures in animals and people can be caused by transmitters whose signals do not reach the right muscles or destinations, or a large burst of them get released at once.  It is about brain activity and ensuring the right signals make it in the right quantities to their destinations in the body.

Seizures in humans could be from a disease known as epilepsy, where in dogs and cats seizures are thought of as a symptom of a larger disorder rather than a disease on its own.  And if the human does not have epilepsy, the cause could be similar to the causes in felines and canines like changes in blood sugar levels, infections, dehydration, and consuming poisons.

The treatments for animals and people that have seizures are very similar, just like above, because our bodies are having the same issues and the response from the treatments are similar.  We have this post about CBD for dog seizures if you'd like to learn when it may work and how.

Growing Pains

Panosteitis, also known as growing pains, in dogs and cats is the same as it is in humans. It bounces around from bone to bone and happens as puppies, kittens, and kids turn into young adults through growth spurts.

The goal of treating growing pains is to reduce the inflammation so the pain is alleviated and the patient’s body can recover on its own.  And all three can and will be able to feel relief eventually as it is a natural process of growing and stops once the growth spurts stop.

Dogs, Cats, and people are very similar, especially when it comes to common disorders, diseases, and treatments.  Yes, we’re biologically diverse and not everything is a one-size fits all solution, but sometimes it is easiest for a veterinarian to associate a treatment you're familiar with to your body so it is easily relatable to why your dog or cat may be getting the same.  

This is important because it helps add a peace of mind that if it is good enough to help us, it is good enough for our pets too.  If you enjoyed learning about the treatments for pets and people that are similar, join our newsletter below and we'll send you more content as we update the blog.