What You Need to Know About Dog Medications and Prescriptions
What conditions can medications for dogs help address?
We use medications to address a wide range of issues. Whether it be from infection to pain to anxiety, we have medications for each of those categories that can help your pet.
Some of the common medications we may be using include antibiotics, antifungals, anti-inflammatory medications, anxiety medications, antiparasiticides when your pets get parasites, and other things like steroids, anti-itch medication, and allergy treatments. All of these medications can be used.
What are some of the side effects and adverse reactions my dog could experience from these medications?
Most of those depend on the medication or the route they are given. Any medication given orally could have a risk of GI upset since it's being ingested that way.
Any medication given as an injection could cause swelling at the injection site and irritation where the shot was given. More specific side effects depend on the medication itself. You can have things like pain from the injection site or fevers, but all of these will depend on the specific medication.
Will all dog medications require a prescription?
Predominantly, most of the medications we give here are prescribed by a veterinarian. Of course, there are some over-the-counter options we may recommend, like Benadryl for an allergic reaction or Pepcid AC, which is famotidine for acid reflux. However, most medications we prescribe will require a prescription.
Do I have to bring my dog to the vet's office in order to have a prescription written?
Generally, as long as we have seen your pet within the year, depending on the medication, we can prescribe a prescription, especially if it's been prescribed before. For instance, if it was prescribed six months ago and now we need to refill it, you may not need to bring your pet in for us to resubmit that prescription.
Where can I get my pet's prescriptions filled?
We have several options for you. Many of the medications that we prescribe can be filled right here in our office pharmacy. We can also call them into human pharmacies like Publix, CVS, and Walgreens.
Additionally, we have our online pharmacy. You can request prescriptions on our website. In the top right-hand corner is our online pharmacy, where you can request prescriptions to be shipped directly to your home.
How should I navigate drug interactions when my dog is on more than one medication?
It's very important to remind your veterinarian and veterinary staff about the medications your pet is on. We will always ask that when you come in for an appointment to ensure there are no drug interactions. We will check and make sure, but always remind or ask if you're concerned that a medication could have a reaction.
Do I have to follow the exact dosage instructions the veterinarian or the pharmacy gives me?
Yes. Many medications are dose-specific, and most of them we calculate directly for your pet's weight. It will be a very specific amount for your pet's size to be effective. Giving too low a dose may make it ineffective, while a high dose could have side effects and toxic effects. It's crucial to give the dose we prescribe unless instructed otherwise by the pharmacy or the veterinarian.
If my dog is feeling better, do I have to finish the entire course of medication?
Generally, the answer is yes, but it does depend on the medication. For antibiotics, absolutely. We always want you to finish those completely because not doing so can lead to resistance and problems with antibiotics in the future for both your pet and people.
However, some medications like cough medications can be stopped if not needed. Some anti-diarrheal medications can be discontinued if the diarrhea has resolved. Always ask because it depends on the medication.
What happens if I miss a dose of my dog's medication?
Ideally, depending on the medication, I'd recommend picking up that dose the next time you remember, but always call and ask because it depends on the medication. If you're giving it twice a day, we don't want you to double dose at the same time. You may just pick up the evening dose if you missed the morning dose.
How can I get my dog to take oral medication?
There are lots of tips and tricks we can provide, from things like pill pockets to cheese to a little bit of cream cheese. We also have a great local compounding pharmacy, as well as through our online pharmacy.
If you're struggling to give your pet a pill, a liquid might be better or even having it compounded into a flavored tablet. We can do that. Let us know, and we can always have that prescription made in a better way to give your pet, or there might be an injectable option. Now we have more and more injectable options for our pets, so we might be able to do it that way.
What should I do if my dog is refusing to take his medication?
Call us, and we can talk through some options, whether that be getting it in a different format or whether that would be an injectable form, on how we can help you get that medication in your pet.
Can I give my dog medication meant for humans?
Only if they've been prescribed by a veterinarian. Many of the medications we prescribe for pets are human medications. It's quite common for pets to receive the same medication as humans, such as gabapentin.
However, you must ensure the dose is exact. I wouldn't give them your medication. We want to send you home with your dog's own gabapentin because their dosage will be very different than yours.
What's the difference between brand name, trade name, and generic name of a medication?
The brand name is the branded version. For example, Baytril is the brand name, while the generic name or the drug name might be something like enrofloxacin. That is the drug itself, but the brand that may make it is Baytril.
Other companies may make it and call theirs something different, but the drug is always the same, and that's what's important to ensure. Generics are generally the exact same medication as the brand name but hopefully less expensive. When possible, we will try to use those whenever we can.
Is it safe to buy my dog's medication online?
When done from a reputable online pharmacy, I always suggest getting it through our online pharmacy. You can do that through our website because we partner with a reputable online pharmacy.
There are some other reputable online pharmacies, but it can be difficult to navigate and ensure they have a pharmacy license and that the medications are shipped properly. We want to ensure the medication is safe for you to use and effective because it's been handled properly, not left in a hot truck for days on end. I always suggest going with our online pharmacy because we have done the legwork for you to ensure all the medication is safe and efficacious.
Are there any natural alternatives to medications I can use instead?
You should always ask because you never know. We now have acupuncture at University Animal Clinic, along with other forms of Chinese medicine, so there could be other options for you. Make sure to ask because there might be some great holistic options we can discuss using, depending on what medication you're considering.
What can I do if I'm worried about giving my dog medication?
Always call us and ask. If you are worried about a drug, dosage, type of medication, or something you read online, give us a call. That is what we're here for. We can explain why we recommend the medication, why it's safe for your pet, and address any concerns you may have. Always, first and foremost, if you have a question, give us a call.
Your pet’s health matters to us, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Call (941) 253-5218 or email staff@uacvet.com to learn more. If you are ready to join our family, schedule your visit below.