CareFirst Specialty Pharmacy
Compounding – How it Can Help Our Pets
Deborah Barber Shores, DVM Pharmaceuticals are used to treat and prevent a wide range of ailments in our animal companions. Sometimes, veterinarians are not able to dispense medications in the dosage required for a particular patient. This is where compounding pharmacies step in and save the day. Dogs, cats, horses and even rabbits can benefit from compounded medications. As a veterinarian, I use a compounding pharmacy almost every day. Let’s take a look at a few cases where compounded drugs have made a difference for my patients.
Cisapride – It’s Multiple Uses in Cats
Cats are wonderful addition to our families but sometimes there are ‘unpleasant’ aspects of having a cat. Many of you know what I am speaking of, and it usually involves stepping in ‘something’ with bare feet in the middle of the night. Hairballs and other contents of vomit are an unfortunate part of many cat fancier’s lives. But did you know that hairballs are NOT a “normal” thing for cats to produce? Hairballs, when produced frequently (more than once a month) can be a sign that there is a problem in the digestive system. If your cat has had issues with vomiting, regurgitation or hairballs, your veterinarian may have prescribed Cisapride.
Amitriptyline for cats
In this article, we will look at amitriptyline, a medication your veterinarian may have prescribed for your cat. Specialty Care Pharmacy has many dosing options available for your cat’s specific needs. What is Amitriptyline? Amitriptyline is a tricyclic behavior modifier and was used for many years in people as an “anti-depressant.” Surprisingly, it is used to treat a variety of problems in cats. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help decrease discomfort and pain associated with certain medical conditions.
Compounded enrofloxacin in reptile species
Enrofloxacin is a synthetic antimicrobial prescribed in disease states involving susceptible bacteria like Staphylococcus, Proteus, Escherichia coli, Pasteurella, Klebsiella and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (4) The drug acts by inhibiting DNA and RNA synthesis within the pathogen. In most of our patients, it is metabolized to ciprofloxacin, which may contribute to additional antibacterial effects. In reptiles, it is mostly used in upper respiratory infections, wounds, abscesses and critically ill individuals. For example, this python (see figure 1) has facial lesions from self-induced trauma after some components of the enclosure materials were changed from plastic to wood. The patient also presented with upper respiratory congestion, which was noticed during the physical examination as a harsh upper nasal noise.
Methimazole to treat hyperthyroidism in cats
Hyperthyroidism is a condition when the amount of thyroid hormone exceeds the normal limit in the blood circulation. The usual cause of this condition is the enlargement of the thyroid gland(s) or a hormone producing thyroid tumor. In feline, this condition is rare and in approximately 80% of the cats, it is observed that hyperthyroidism involves enlargement of both glands. However, in the other 15% only one is enlarged. Hyperthyroidism causes intense activity in the cats causing them to move around with increased speed and playing a vital role in decrement of their health.
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