Posts Tagged ‘medicine’

Possible Side Effects of Pet Medication and How to Overcome Them?

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009



In these modern days, whenever our pets get to feel ailments, we immediately rush to pet pharmaceuticals to buy pet meds, or if there is still time, we undoubtedly rush him to his veterinarian for a fervent check up. Maybe that is how modern medicine has influenced us in treating any types of illnesses. But have we thought of the possible side effects of pet medications?

Pet medications are known to cure any pet diseases, whether it be serious or not at all. These medicines are introduced to us by experts and have been given to us as prescription medicines whenever we consult the help of pet doctors. However, there are also pet remedies that need not to be bought with prescription. These types of treatments are called generic medicines and have been widely used by pet owners who believe that their pets don’t need to be consulted to any vets at all. These meds can cure and are proven safe though.

We should take note that we could not administer any pet drugs to our beloved pets, unless, if it is prescribed by their vets. This works most to those pets who have unknown allergies yet, since some of these pet meds may contain ingredients that are not good for them. On the contrary, generic pet remedies are called ‘generic’ because they have been proven safe for all. But how sure can we be if it is not still given to our pets as treatment? Basically, the results follow obviously after a thing is done.

Any medication should be taken with a right dosage. You can not just diagnose something to your pet if you are not sure of what the proper amount of medicine should be given to him. One unlikable result due to improper giving of dosage would be over dosage. This one can be a hazard to your pets because if not treated immediately, this can eventually result to death.

Another side effect, if improper dosage is given, is the trigger on allergies and other infections. In most cases, as mentioned above, some animals have these ‘hidden’ allergies. These allergies would just appear when triggered by something that can offend the immune system. So let us be very careful in giving them shots.

Well, there are a lot of side effects of pet medications when excessive dosage has been given. Another one that contributes to any unwanted situations in treating pets is, giving treatments even if you still don’t know what the medicine is made up, or is it apt for his health condition or not.

The best option you could get to avoid hazards in giving not suitable pet meds is to consult the veterinarian. It is our utmost duty as responsible pet owners to submit our pets to their doctors for a regular check up. Pets are just like humans; they still feel illnesses and experience aging. The only difference is that, they can not tell us directly whether they are feeling something bad in their system.

Pet meds are very helpful in easing out the pain our pets experience whenever they have illnesses. Nevertheless, loving our pets means taking care of them heedfully. As these pet remedies can solve any pet health issues, we should inculcate into our minds that no matter how good a medicine is, if improperly administered, possible side effects of pet medications may occur. It is important then to consult or ask the help of veterinarians, and conduct a little research about the medicine too. Be sure to follow all the necessary instructions to avoid casualties. Article Source

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Common Pet Medications

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009



There are lots of veterinary and pet medication websites to be found on the Internet nowadays, and all claim to be the foremost authority and source for your pet’s needs. Buying medication for your pet is okay, as long as you know exactly what you’re buying and the proper amounts to administer to your pet. Thus, the professional advice of a registered veterinarian is invaluable. The information to be found in this article does not intend to replace the care of a professional; its purpose is to be used as an educational guide to your pet’s medications only.

Adequan
In treating arthritis, injections are given twice a week for 4 weeks for a maximum of eight injections. Injections are given intramuscularly. Dogs, cats, and horses are the usual patients.

Buspirone Hydrochloride
In veterinary medicine, buspirone has been especially helpful in the treatment of phobias (such as fear of thunder, people in uniform, etc.) and in the treatment of urine marking in cats.

Carprofen
Carprofen is a member of the class of drugs known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), the same class as such common over-the-counter remedies as Advil (ibuprofen), Orudis (ketoprofen), and aspirin. The chief use for such drugs in the dog has been pain relief, usually joint pain or post-surgical pain relief.

Cephalexin
Cephalexin is a good broad spectrum antibiotic, which means it is useful in most common and uncomplicated infections.

Chlorpheniramine Maleate
It’s an antihistamine and it’s used for acute inflammatory and allergic conditions such as snake bites, vaccination reactions, blood transfusion reactions, bee stings and insect bites, and to manage itchy skin.

Clemastine fumarate
Clemastine fumarate is one of the more effective antihistamines albeit relatively expensive. Its efficacy makes it a common first choice for itchy skin. It has found to be helpful in 30% of itchy dogs and 50% of itchy cats.

Diazepam
There are many uses for this medication since it is effective as an anti-anxiety medication, a muscle relaxant, an appetite stimulant, and a seizure control drug.

Diphenhydramine
Most obviously, diphenhydramine is an antihistamine and it’s used for acute inflammatory and allergic conditions such as snake bites, vaccination reactions, blood transfusion reactions, bee stings and insect bites.

Enrofloxacin
This medication may be used in either dogs or cats to combat different types of infections, especially those involving Pseudomonas.

Fenbendazole
In dogs, it is useful against roundworms, hookworms, and the more difficult to treat whipworms.

Griseofulvin
This medication is used to treat ringworm, a fungal infection of the skin involving fungi.

Meclizine hydrochloride
An excellent product for people that can also be used for car-sick pets, meclizine hydrochloride is generally used for nausea relief due to motion sickness.

Metoclopramide
Motility disorders are common and may be chronic or of sudden onset. When motility is reduced in the stomach, food pools there and creates a sensation of nausea and bloating.

Orbifloxacin
Orbifloxacin may be used in dogs and cats to combat different types of infections, especially those involving Pseudomonas. This medication is also active against Staphylococci, and thus is commonly used for skin infections.

Phenobarbital
In dogs and cats, phenobarbital is probably the first choice for seizure suppression. It is effective, safe if used responsibly, and is one of the least expensive medications in all of veterinary practice.

Phenylpropanolamine
Phenylpropanolaminecan be used to help control appetite or as a decongestant, but in veterinary medicine it is used almost exclusively for the control of urinary incontinance in the female dog.

Pyrantel pamoate is effective against numerous parasitic worms, such as roundworms, hookworms, and stomach worms. When a new puppy or kitten is adopted and has been said to have been dewormed, the chances are it is this product that was used.

Ranitidine
Ranitidine is useful in any situation where stomach irritation is an issue and ulceration is a concern.

Terbinafine
Terbinafine has activity against other types of fungi but at this time it is mostly used against ringworm.

Trimethoprim Sulfa
Trimethoprim sulfa is known by many names as it’s a commonly used antibiotic in both human and veterinary medicine. It’s become a popular choice thanks to its broad spectrum and inexpensive cost. Article Source

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The Do´s & Don´ts About Pet Medication

Monday, June 22nd, 2009



One way to determine your pets health is by regular visits to a qualified veterinarian. Depending on the situation, some pet medications require administration by a veterinarian while others may be purchased and given by the owner. Always ask questions of your veterinarian and, if needed, take a notebook to jot down some information.

Before administering any pet medication, always confirm a diagnosis with a licensed veterinarian. If the illness is minor, a simple telephone call may suffice. If it is a longstanding or reoccurring issue, then make an appointment to have your pet checked out. A serious problem may not be treatable with only one kind of medicine, but may be properly designated and given by the doctor.

If you are able to medicate your pet yourself, read and follow the manufacturer´s instructions thoroughly. The dosage amount often is decided based on the weight of your pet. Therefore, get a proper assessment of your animal´s weight before administering medication. An overdose may harm your pet while a less than proper dosage may not provide any relief.

Pet medication can be found in a variety of places, including a local department store´s pet food section or a specialty pet store. If none of these are found locally, a veterinarian´s office will likely have an appropriate inventory of pet medications, as do many online pet medication websites. When purchasing any such product, always make sure the medicine is used to treat the condition of your pet and is properly labeled. Do not use old medicine or any that was given to you by a friend or neighbor. Always purchase a fresh product before allowing your pet to consume the contents.

Most medicines are available in a variety of forms, including liquid or pills. If your pet has problems, or is resistant, to pills, hide them in his/her food or purchase the liquid version. Most pet medication is made to smell and taste good to the animal, so there shouldn´t be much resistance to the product. If your pet will absolutely not take the medicine, search for another brand and return the first product to the original store.

If finances are tight and pet care becomes too much for you to handle, ask your veterinarian if he/she offers a financing or payment plan. Sit down and explain your situation, the immediate need for your pet´s care and your willingness to make payments toward any treatment offered. By making a deposit and signing a paper agreeing to make payments, many veterinarians will accommodate a payment plan request. Be sure to have an offer in mind. For example, don´t simply ask to make payments, but rather specify how much you can pay each month and how many months it will take to pay the balance in full. This will show that you have given considerable thought and planning to the treatment, and payment, of your pet´s health care. Article Source

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