Pets are not immune to disease. Veterinarians are exceptional at diagnosing and treating and I have every confidence that they are properly motivated to help us and our pets live as happy a life as possible. Readers of our website will know how much I oppose the wanton use of drugs. Too many people use too many drugs. Our system of medical "care" has devolved to a place where the ideology is that any disease or condition can be treated with a drug - usually only affecting the symptoms.

Fortunately, this does not seem to be the practice in the veterinary field. I observe that drugs are used most judiciously. Doses are appropriate and the length of therapy is consistent with the condition. Sometimes, the pet needs drug support for just a short time. At other times, the disease demands continuous treatment for the life of the pet.

Veterinarians know how to use drugs properly and they are often knowledgeable in the most recent research and discoveries.

The main problem with drug use in pets is in the administration of the prescribed drug. Many commercial drugs are not available in the correct strengths - a dose for a Chihuahua is decidedly smaller than the one needed for a Great Dane. Your compounding pharmacist can make the doses your veterinarian prescribes.

Additionally, the compounder can make flavored liquids for your pet. Best of all, many medications can be prepared in a special "transdermal" cream base. Applying to the skin causes the medication to be transported directly into the blood stream - much like an injection without the pain or inconvenience.

When your veterinarian prescribes something for your pet, ask about flavored, stable liquids and transdermal creams. These approaches can make life a lot easier for both owner and pet.

Animals experience a wide variety of disease. It would be an incredible boor to list every possibility. Instead I’ve include some of the more common situations – along with some of the medicines used in treatment.

GI Tract Disorders

• Acid Blockers (cimetidine, famotidine, omeprazole, ranitidine)
• Digestive problems (cisapride, cyproheptadine, metoclopramide)

Heart Disorders

• Heart Medications (digoxin, diltiazem, enalapril, propranolol)

Ear and Eye Disorders

Infectious Diseases

• Antibiotics (amoxicillin, enrofloxacin, cephalexin, doxycycline, sulfa)
• Antifungals (griseofulvin, ketoconazole, metronidazole)
• Anti-Parasitics (ivermectin, metronidazole, sulfa)

Muscle & Bone Disorders/Arthritis

• Anti-inflammatories (aspiron, prednisolone, timolol)

Nervous System Disorders

• Behavioral Medicines (amitriptyline, buspirone, clomipramine)