Essential Medications for Your Dogs: If your pet has a medical condition, our veterinarian can recommend one or more drugs to control, treat, or cure the problem. Although some veterinary-specific drugs are available, many of the medications used in veterinary medicine are the same as those used in humans. 

Essential Medications for Your Dogs

Antibiotics  

These are drugs that kill microbes, such as bacteria and yeast, and are used to 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. 

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory  

These common drugs reduce swelling, inflammation, pain and lameness. Examples include carprofen, deracoxib, firocoxib, and meloxicam. 

Steroids 

Steroids have many different uses. They can be potent anti-inflammatories and are frequently used to reduce allergic and anaphylactic reactions. They are also used at high doses to suppress the immune system.  Examples include prednisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone. 

Essential Medications for Your Dogs: Antiparasitics 

These products are intended to prevent, repel or kill internal or external parasites such as intestinal worms, intestinal protozoans, heartworms, fleas and ticks. 

Behaviour-modifying drugs and sedatives 

These drugs are used to quiet anxious pets or help reduce 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. 

Hormones and other medications are used to treat specific conditions 

Examples include insulin used for diabetes treatment, methimazole or levothyroxine for abnormal thyroid hormone levels, and heart medications such as atenolol, digoxin, and pimobendan. 

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Side effects and adverse reactions 

In general, medication choices involve weighing the advantages of the medication against the potential risks and taking measures to reduce side effects as much as possible. These preventive measures vary with the medication but can include keeping the drug dose and frequency as low as possible, giving the drug for the shortest time needed.

Why Should Only Vets Recommend Medications for Dogs?

Deciding to give medications to pets yourself without the advice of qualified vets can lead to severe health issues in pets. The vast knowledge, training, and expertise that veterinarians possess in the field of animal health make them the ideal individuals to prescribe medicine to dogs. Only a veterinarian should give dogs medicine, and there are numerous beneficial reasons for that:

Expertise in Animal Physiology

A thorough familiarity with the anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology of animals is an essential component of the basic training that veterinarians get. With this information in hand, they can evaluate each dog’s unique health requirements and prescribe the best course of treatment.

Assessment and Intervention Strategies

A veterinarian’s job description includes looking at symptoms, doing tests, and reviewing medical records to determine the cause of a pet’s illness. Their individualised treatment programmes take the dog’s current health into account, along with any preexisting issues that could impact the medication’s effectiveness or safety.

Understanding drug interactions

Medication interactions are common and might worsen preexisting diseases. Because of their extensive training, veterinarians can identify any medication interactions and contraindications. This makes sure that dogs get therapies that won’t hurt them or make their existing health problems worse.

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