Dog’s Drug Causes Man to be charged with DWI

If you wondering why a man would take his dog’s drugs and get charged with a DWI (driving while intoxicated) it’s a serious mistake that happens quite often.

Apparently a Des Moines Iowa man was apprended after he apparently mistook his dog’s prescribed drugs instead of his own drugs.

Clarence Fenton crashed his SUV into a telephone pole as a result of ingesting his dog Saturn’s medication.

The drug was prescribed for his dog’s seizures and contained a powerful ingredient Phenobarbital which is also used in humans for the same condition.

 After Clarence appeared in court he stated he “did not remember taking the pills” although police found the pills in his vehicle.

Clarence was supposed to take his own medication for depression which he said he did the day of the crash.  It remains unknown if he took both on the same day or just the phenobarbital.

The Iowa State Poison Control Center indicates that people mistakenly take their pet’s medication is very common and has taken 3 calls this year alone.

 Tips on Not Crashing into a Telephone Pole or  Why You Should Not Take Your Dog’s Drugs:

1) Do not store your own and your dog’s medication in the same place.

2) Label all medication in large letters  ”  For Fido “.

3) Store all medication out of the reach of children.

4) Store all medication out of reach of adults.

5) Do not let your dog take its own medications.

6) Stay away from a vehicle when handling anti-depressants.

7) Do not take prescription medications while driving.

8) Do not drive and take drugs in Iowa.

If this wasn’t such a serious matter I would be tempted to giggle at Clarence, however it’s not funny.  This does prove that some of the same drugs are used both in dogs and people for the same conditions in this case, pheonbarbital is prescribed to children and adults as well as dogs with seizures.

Wikipedia    indicates side effects of phenobarbital, causes sedation, hypnosis and dizziness perhaps a little excitement and confusion.

Written by:  Teri Salvador

Story courtesy of the Associated Press, via the Chicago Tribune

 Tags:  Phoenobarbital, dog drugs, Dog’s seizures, Iowa State Poison Control Center, Chicago Tribune, Associated Press, dogs, medications, dog’s medication, man arrested after taking dog drugs.