Pet Medication: Supplies & treatment

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When your pet has a medical condition, your veterinarian might prescribe one or more medications intended to manage, treat or cure the problem. Although there are some veterinary-specific drugs, many of the medications used in veterinary medicine are the same as those used in people.

Below are the most common used medication types, which are listed under

The list below contains the most commonly used types of medication in dogs and cats, but it is by no means a complete list of all the types of drugs used in veterinary medicine.

1. Antibiotics: These are drugs that kill microbes, such as bacteria and yeast, and treat infections. They don’t kill viruses, but they are sometimes prescribed to treat secondary bacterial infections that can occur when an animal is ill from a viral infection. Examples are Penicillin, trimethoprim sulfa, cephalexin, enrofloxacin.
2. Non-Steroidal anti-inflammatories: These are common drugs that reduce swelling, inflammation, pain, and lameness. Examples include Carpofen, Deracoxib, Firocoxib, meloxicam.
3. Opioid Pain Relievers: These medications are generally derived from Morphine and can be potent pain relievers. Examples include Oxycodone, Hydromorphone, Butorphanol, Meripidine, and Fentanyl. Unfortunately, most of these days are controlled substances because of their addictive potential.
4. Steroids: Steroids have different uses. They can be potent anti-inflammatories and frequently reduce allergic and anaphylactic reactions. They are also used at high doses to suppress the immune system. Examples include Prednisone and Dexamethasone.
5. Antiparasitics: These products are intended to prevent, repel or kill internal or external parasites such as intestinal worms, intestinal protozoans (Giardia, etc.), heartworms, fleas, and tricks.
6. Behaviour–modifying drugs and sedatives: These drugs are used to quiet anxious pets or help in reducing anxiety associated with various behavioural issues in pets, prepare pets for anaesthesia, and reduce pet movement during delicate procedures. Examples include Diazepam, Xylazine, Acepromazine, and Midazolam.
7. Hormones and other medications are used to treat specific conditions. Examples include insulin for diabetes treatment, Methimazole or Levothyroxine for abnormal thyroid hormone levels, and heart medications such as Atenolol, Digoxin, and Pimobendan.
8. Chemotherapeutics: These drugs are used to treat tumours and cancers. Examples include Cisplatin, Vincristine, Doxorubicin, and Cyclophosphamide.  

In general, medications choices involve weighing the advantages of the medication (stopping infection, reducing pain, etc.) against the potential risks and taking measures to minimize side effects as much as possible. Weighing the advantages and risks, your veterinarian, partly because the very mechanisms that make drugs effective for treating conditions can also cause unwanted effects. For example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce the production of prostaglandins, many of which increase inflammation, pain, and swelling. Therefore, it is imperative to read any information your veterinarian gives you about the product and call your veterinarian if you suspect adverse events from any drug your dog or cat is taking.

 GUIDELINES FOR YOUR PETS MEDICATION

1. Ensure you let your veterinarian know if your pet has had adverse reactions to any medications
2. Do well to ask questions to understand why a medication is being recommended for your pet and what alternatives there are. You can ask questions like
3. When and how should the drug be used?
4. What is the purpose of these medications?
5. What should I do when you miss a dose?         
6. Make an inquiry from your veterinarian about what you should look out for as signs of problems, adverse reactions to the medication, or worsening of your pet’s condition.
7. Suppose you get your pet’s prescription filled at a pharmacy. Do not let the pharmacy change the medication in any way, including changing the dose or the prescribed drug, without first consulting the veterinarian who prescribed it. 

HOW TO USE THE PRESCRIBED MEDICATIONS FOR YOUR PET

• You have to keep medications out of reach of all your pets and kids
• Do not give pet any medications, including over-the-counter (OTC) products, without consulting your veterinarian, which some drugs will interact with other medicines, including OTC medications and supplements, so your veterinarian needs to know everything you’re giving your pet.
• Always follow the label directions if you have any questions about the medication. Ask your veterinarian.

Such as keeping the medicines in the containers in which you received them and storing them at the temperature as indicated by your veterinarian. Don’t transfer the contents to another bottle or vial.

Also, identify your pets’ medication from your medication because it could be similar; ensure to store them separately; this is to eliminate the error of taking your pet’s medication or giving your pet your medication.

Be wary of giving prescribed medications as authorized and according to label directions if your pet is on more than one medication because the dose for the same pet can be different among drugs, and you don’t want to overdose your pet with its medications simply because you mixed up the labels.

Please do not repeat the same medications for another pet unless your veterinarian instructs it. For example, avoid using your dog’s medicine for your cats’ because it might not be safe for the other pet.

Contact your veterinarian if you miss a dose or give too much (overdose) of the drug. If an overdose occurs when your veterinarian’s office is closed, contact an emergency service.

Ensure you always complete your pet’s medication unless you are instructed otherwise by your veterinarian. That is, some medications, such as many steroids, should be tapered in the dose and not be stopped “cold turkey”. Follow the label and your veterinarian’s directions.