As Jack Frost finally begins to arrive, many of us will begin to feel common aches and pains in our joints. We all have our favorite medicine for relief of these ailments. Our pets often experience similar symptoms on these colder mornings. While some medications that we use to treat your animals with are very similar to human medicines, there are others (like Tylenol) that can be fatal. Our pets’ bodies process medicine in different ways than humans. In the human body, the drug can be processed to a helpful product, while our pet turns it into a toxic chemical. There are even differences between cats and dogs. Do not forget about our exotic pets (birds, hamsters, and reptiles), they usually fall into a different medication class altogether. It is very important to always read the label carefully before giving your pet a medication. Always make sure to understand how the medicine your veterinarian prescribes is supposed to be given. Do not be afraid to ask how often, how much, and how to give because all of that is very important. Never give a human medicine to an animal without first consulting your veterinarian to make sure it is safe for your pet. Please feel free to consult your veterinarian about the proper medical treatment for your pets problems.