Orlando Dog Parks - Common Drugs Prescribed for Pets

Quick Bite: Many medications prescribed by veterinarians must be given to pets every day for life to be effective. Some if these medications have the potential to cause serious side effects. All pet owners should understand how these medications work and should know what to look for if side effects occur. Your veterinarian needs to be recommending regular blood testing to check for evidence of organ dysfunction. If you get your medications on the Internet you must understand that veterinarians are required by law to check blood frequently for the safety of your dog or cat. Let’s look at some of the more frequently prescribed drugs in older animals.

Carprofen is an anti-inflammatory used for post operative pain and arthritis. It is very safe is small doses for short periods of time. But if your dog requires medication every day there are some important topics to address. Carprofen may irritate the stomach, especially if used with other anti-inflammatories. It may also cause stress on the liver, especially if your pet has an underlying liver problem. For this reason your veterinarian should be recommending bloodwork at least every 6 months to monitor liver values. Carprofen is a safe and effective medication that can and should be used if your pet is suffering from arthritis.

Phenobarbitol is an anti-convulsant used for animals suffering from seizures. It may be used or combined with other medications to control seizuring. Many dogs become resistant to the effects of this medication and often the dose must be increased to be effective. At higher doses, stress on internal organs such as the liver may occur. Regular bloodwork is necessary to document the changes and adjust the dose accordingly. Your veterinarian should also be checking the level of phenobarbitol in the bloodstream to help with dosing.

Many animals with chronic heart disease require a diuretic to facilitate the passage of fluid through the kidneys that would otherwise build up in the lungs.
Furosemide is commonly used for this purpose. It is a safe and effective drug if used properly but it can put a large amount of stress on the kidneys. For this reason, kidneys values must be checked frequently. Treating patients with chronic problems, such as heart disease, can be challenging. Your veterinarian needs as much information as possible to make confident recommendations so that you know that your pet is getting the best care possible.

Many of the aforementioned medications can be purchased on the Internet, sometimes at reduced costs. But the quality of these products has been questioned in the past due to suspect product quality and questions regarding the origin of these medications. If you do choose to purchase products over the Internet you must understand that drug monitoring is equally, if not more important than if you were purchasing these drugs from your veterinarian. Your vet is legally and ethically responsible for the health of your pet. Blood can be collected from your dog or cat safely and painlessly in the exam room. The initial investment will pay off in the long run. And you will have the peace of mind knowing that your pet is receiving the best care possible.

Jason Palm, DVM
Hiawassee Veterinary Clinic
6525 Old Winter Garden Road
Orlando, FL 32835
(407) 299-3969

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