Tag: pet medications

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Skin Care

5 Causes of Your Dog’s Skin Allergies (and How to Treat It)

During spring and summer time, your dog’s skin allergies are extremely common and can cause itchines, dryness, redness, and flakiness. Here are 5 common reasons your dog is suffering from skin problems, and what you can do about it. 

Do you have an itchy dog?

Although fleas are the most common cause, there are some incredibly annoying skin allergies in dogs that manifest with:

  • Itchiness
  • Dryness
  • Flaky skin
  • Inflamed skin

This can be a real pain for everyone involved, and it isn’t always easy to find the trigger or fix the problem.

 

What Causes Your Dog’s Skin Allergies?

While every canine health exam or treatment should start with a visit to the vet, self-education can also be extremely helpful.

In this post, we’ll help you understand what causes those awful skin reactions and how you can help your dog get back to being his joyful, silly, and happy self.

 

1. Fleas

We already mentioned that fleas are the number one cause of “the itchies” and other skin allergies in dogs.

They bite, they annoy, they frustrate, and they can even make your dog anemic if she’s small enough.

But that isn’t the only issue fleas cause; they’re also the number one trigger allergic dermatitis, too.

For some reason (maybe genetics) some dogs seem to react more severely to bites than others.

Rather than just being a bit itchy at the bite site, they develop large welts and widespread “hives” or hot spots, which they then scratch, causing microabrasions and even hotspots.

The Solution

So what’s the fix for flea dermatitis?

Well, sensibly, you should eliminate the fleas first with a good spot-on or pill-based treatment like Capstar or Revolution.

Spot-ons should be given on a schedule to prevent future infestations.

If flea dermatitis becomes severe enough, it can even cause secondary infections including:

These are best treated with topical or oral antibiotics and antifungals.

See your vet or pharmacist for more information.

 

 

2. Ringworm

Ringworm has a sort of misleading name; it’s not a worm at all. Instead, it’s a fungal infection that develops into strange bulls-eye patterns.

It is not only extremely contagious, but also transmissible to humans – meaning you or your little ones could contract it if you aren’t aware your dog has it.

Dogs who spend time around livestock and other outdoor animals have a much higher risk for contracting ringworm.

That’s because the fungus loves an environment containing:

  • Moisture
  • Mud
  • Wooded
  • Dead or decaying plant matter in the soil

In fact, ringworm often lives in the soil until your dog digs in it, transferring the fungus to his own skin.

The Solution

Treating ringworm (in humans or pets) is surprisingly easy – all you need is a good compounded topical antifungal medication.

Often, vets will prescribe the same cream for humans and dogs; both contain the identical medication.

But that doesn’t mean you should use your dog’s medicine (or vice versa) if you get it.

The doses are often quite different, and it is possible to use too much or too little.

Ask your pharmacist to help find the right treatment for your dog’s skin allergies.

 

3. Mange

Ever hear the term “mangy dog” in popular culture? What this really refers to is a skin condition called mange.

Mange is a skin disease technically caused by tiny microscopic mites.

As they burrow in and bite, they damage hair follicles, causing hair shafts to fall out. This is why the condition is also associated with:

  • Hair loss
  • Sores
  • Bald spots

Like flea infestations, mange can also trigger extreme allergy reactions.

But the lesions and inflammation associated with mange presents very closely to dermatitis, although there are some minor differences.

The Solution

First, know that mange is very rare in domestic dogs who live most of their lives indoors. I

t’s far more common in outdoor dogs, strays, and dogs who spend a lot of time in communal spaces (yes, this includes the dog park).

Mange is HIGHLY contagious upon contact.

Treating it isn’t easy, either. Your dog will need long-term medicated therapy to restore his skin to a healthy status.

Like fungal infections such as ringworm, treatment often needs to be given for months to fully eradicate the mites.

 

 

4. Food Allergies

Outside of direct skin infections and conditions (like flea dermatitis), food allergies in dogs are the number one cause of allergic reactions affecting the skin.

Dogs are incredibly sensitive creatures and nearly all react to at least one commercially-available kibble or canned food in their lifetime.

It isn’t entirely clear why this happens.

It may be a result of the fact that dogs aren’t designed to eat kibble naturally, or it may be due to failures to maintain quality in the dog food industry.

What we do know is that certain ingredients are much more likely to trigger your dog’s skin allergies than others.

Check out this list of triggers sourced from the BMC Veterinary Research Center.

It lists ingredients in order of likelihood to cause skin allergies in dogs, listing the number of dogs likely to be affected by the trigger to the right.

  • Beef (34%)
  • Dairy Products (17%)
  • Chicken (15%)
  • Wheat (13%)
  • Soy (6%)
  • Lamb (5%)
  • Corn (4%)
  • Egg (4%)
  • Pork (2%)
  • Fish (2%)
  • Rice (2%)

That means nearly 34% of all dogs suffer from beef allergies affecting their skin. This is remarkably high!

It’s no wonder so many dogs experience the “itchies!”

The Solution

It would be super if we could tell you that a simple pill or topical could fix food allergies for dogs…but it would also be untrue.

Truthfully, treating your dog’s skin allergies that are triggered by food ingredients can be time-consuming, expensive, and difficult.

If you can afford it, allergy testing is a good logical first step. There, your vet can test your dog to see which ingredients he or she reacts to. If nothing else, it’s a good place to start.

If allergy testing doesn’t pan out, or if you need another option, most vets will recommend a combination of:

  • Antihistamines
  • Topical soothing creams
  • An elimination diet

Topicals soothe, orals reduce the reaction, and the diet focuses on finding and eliminating the issue.

Elimination diets place the dog on a highly restrictive, single-protein food temporarily (usually around 3 weeks) to “reset” the immune system.

You then add in an ingredient at a time.

When the skin problems crop back up, you know you’ve found at least one trigger.

 

 

5. Environmental Allergies

By now, you’re probably thinking that dogs are just full of allergic responses.

This is true!

In fact, it’s also possible for your dog to be allergic to environmental influences, too – including:

  • Grass
  • Hay
  • Pollen
  • Trees

Some dogs are even allergic to other dogs, laundry soaps, perfumes, other pets, or dust and mildew in the air.

It can be heart-wrenching to watch your dog suffer just from running on the very grass he loves to play in so much.

But the good news here is that environmental issues are relatively easy to treat.

The Solution

The easiest way to eliminate environmental allergy triggers that bother your dog’s skin is to eliminate the trigger.

That’s easy if it happens to be a laundry soap or perfume…but you can’t exactly eliminate the great outdoors.

And just not walking your dog because he’s allergic to grass? Not really an option, either.

In cases like these, the better option is often to medicate with oral antihistamines.

Given once a day in a non-drowsy form, they can curb your dog’s skin allergies to the point where they can once again be their normal, happy selves (including frustrating you by digging a hole across the world in the backyard grass).

Compounded veterinarian topicals can help you address and soothe any direct hotspots or lesions while also preventing nasty secondary infections.

Your pharmacist and vet are your best guide!

 

Conclusion

Your dog is your best friend and number one companion and you want to treat your dog’s skin allergies.

Your veterinary pharmacist, on the other hand, is one of the best partners you can have in helping your dog feel better (aside from your vet, of course) when allergies strike.

Don’t be afraid to reach out for recommendations when you need help!

Burt’s Pharmacy and Compounding Lab is a veterinary pharmacy that can help you with your pet’s prescriptions, whether they are compounded or not. If your pet needs medication, contact us today.

Categories
Medicine

11 Simple Remedies for Your Dog’s Skin Problems

Constant itching. Painful red patches. Dry skin. We often forget about our pups skin health, but it is very important. If these conditions sound familiar, try these 11 remedies for your dog’s skin problems.

Despite having soft coats, dogs suffer from dry skin and skin-related issues nearly as commonly as humans suffer from them. In fact, the causes of dry skin are often the same across mankind and dogkind, too – including weather changes, allergies, and even fungal infections.

Understanding healthy skin is essential to caring for your pup.

 

Remedies to Common Dog Skin Problems 

When itchy skin strikes, it can really drive your dog nuts. If left untreated, or if it becomes severe, it may even lead to hair loss, hot spots, open wounds, or skin infections.

Treating your dog’s skin problems quickly is the best way to ease his comfort and reduce the risk of side effects, but it can be difficult to figure out how to approach the average itch.

In this post, we’ll teach you a few of our favorite methods for soothing skin ouchies. And how compounded pet medications can help!

Just remember that if you’re feeling unsure about any aspect of your dog’s health, it’s better to check in with your vet before you use a fix.

 

1. Oatmeal Baths

If you know someone with dry, itchy skin, you may have heard of this fix before: Oatmeal baths are an old-school remedy for itchy skin that works well on all skin types (canine or human).

Grab some baby oatmeal cereal. Or, use regular, plain, unsugared oatmeal instead. Throw the mix into your food processor or blender and blend it down into a fine powder. Add the powder to a warm bath.

It’s imperative that the water is comfortably warm, yet not hot; hot water can aggravate dry skin.

Let your dog sit in the tub for at least 15 minutes to give the proteins and oils in the oatmeal powder time to soothe his skin.

Rinse him off well before letting him dash off to play again.

 

2. Steroids

Vets commonly prescribe steroids (like prednisone or dexamethasone) to help control your dog’s skin problems. These steroids fight inflammation leading to skin pain and itchiness.

This inflammation is often a direct result of undiagnosed allergies in dogs, especially when problems first crop up.

Dogs with acute inflammation due to allergies usually do well with a steroid injection; it lasts for several weeks. This is the easiest and fastest steroid delivery method and may be needed if your pet has chronic autoimmune issues or certain health conditions.

For some skin conditions, topical steroids are better. Your vet may direct you to apply these directly to the area all the time or only when issues crop up. The main caveat of topicals is that dogs have a tendency to want to remove them – with their tongues – causing upset tummies.

Because steroids can induce so many side effects, they should be used only when other options have been exhausted or when symptoms become severe.

Any dog on regular steroid supplementation should have frequent blood work to rule out liver damage.

 

3. Exercise and Play

A distracted dog is a happy dog (as long as you aren’t trying to get them to focus).

Dogs who are out walking, running, playing fetch, and enjoying time with their people are less likely to become bored and worry about their sore spots.

Exercise is critical for your dog’s health anyway, so make sure they’re getting extra attention during skin flare-ups.

Ask a neighbor, friend, or dog-walker to help out if you are having trouble fitting additional activity into your schedule.

Exercise won’t make your dog’s skin problems go away, but your well-exercised pup will sleep better despite the irritation, too.

 

4. Medicated Shampoos

Medicated shampoos work well for some canine skin conditions, but are especially helpful for treating hotspots.

Clipping the hair away from the sore area gives you better access before washing.

Most medicated shampoos have drying agents or antiseptics in the soaps that not only clean but also help to dry the wound up and minimize itching.

Follow all directions carefully and stop use immediately if your dog’s skin condition seems to become worse or shows signs of redness, inflammation, or ulceration.

 

 

 

5. Fat-Free Yogurt

Fat-free yogurt contains probiotics, and good bacteria that help to balance out your pup’s natural gut flora for better digestion and skin disease resistance.

If your dog struggles with fungal skin infections (especially yeast infections) this may help restore their skin.

Fungal skin infections are common in dogs; in fact, some diseases start as bacterial infections of the surface dermal and are later colonized by opportunistic yeasts.

Ear infections can also be fungal, causing your dog to scratch at areas around his face and ears and creating more open wounds.

These, in turn, lead to more bacterial infections, making treatment feel a bit like a vicious cycle you can never quite get a hold on.

It only takes a teaspoon or two of yogurt per day to keep your dog in balance.

The good news here is that most dogs love plain yogurt (no sugary varieties; sugar feeds yeast!).

If your dog just isn’t into yogurt, it’s okay to try probiotic-fortified foods instead. Or, consider asking the vet about probiotic supplements that are safe for dogs.

 

6. Diet Alterations

A lot of pet foods on the market today claim to be healthy. Few are actually balanced enough for proper nutrition.

Vitamin deficiencies lead dogs to develop nutritional dermatitis, a skin condition that closely mimics yeast and bacterial skin infections in dogs, but is really related to nutrition.

Fixing diet problems isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth a shot. Just switching up your dog’s diet may be enough of a change to eliminate symptoms.

Look for high-quality foods that list meat as the first ingredient and try to avoid or limit grains. Ask your vet about adding supplements like Omega fatty acids for additional support.

 

7. Vitamin E Oil

Have you ever popped open a vitamin E capsule so that you could spread the oil on your dry skin?

The same at-home remedy works well for your dog’s skin problems because they, too, require Vitamin E for skin repair.

Not only can it help your dog’s skin problems heal faster, but its moisturizing properties may also soothe dry and irritated skin spots, reducing how often he chews or licks. Your dog isn’t very likely to complain about the extra massage, either.

 

8. Flea and Tick Treatments

Fleas and ticks aren’t the only critters you have to worry about.

Any mite can cause your dog to itch when bitten, and an allergy to a flea or mite bite can transform little itchiness into a complete skin disaster. In the canine care world, this condition is often referred to as flea dermatitis, but really, the true name depends on what’s eating your buddy.

This one is easy to avoid.

Make sure your dog is getting regular flea and tick treatments, and only use recommended products (ask your vet about Frontline and Advantage II).

Never use cheap grocery store spot-ons, flea collars, and dollar store shampoos as many are known to cause more skin irritations. Some may even cause seizures, neurological issues, or death.

 

9. Benadryl

Benadryl is an antihistamine, a drug that may be helpful for dogs with intense itching.

It is especially useful for pups who are having trouble sleeping due to itching. It has the unintended side effect of relaxing via sedation – something that may be desired if your poor pup is driving himself crazy scratching.

Vets will often recommend dosing regular adult or children’s Benadryl for your dog but don’t eye out the dose or assume the same dose is accurate for your dog just because he weighs the same as your child.

Ring up your vet and ask them to give you the correct measurement to ensure you don’t over or underdose.

 

 

10. Antibiotics

Your dog’s skin problems may not necessarily begin as a bacterial infection, but open wounds caused by scratching can quickly become infected.

Your vet may recommend topical antibiotic spray and/or an oral antibiotic to clear up the infection.

While it sometimes depends on the severity of the condition, antibiotics may sometimes be available in the form of injection.

 

11. Compounded Medications

A lot of dogs respond very well to multiple forms of skin care treatment at the same time. So well, in fact, that most vets recommend a multifaceted treatment approach to address all canine skin concerns.

Some treatments work to reduce acute discomfort; others address the cause. In cases like these, it may be helpful to have a pharmacist who creates compounded pet medicine combine some of your medications into forms that are easier for your dog to ingest or for you to apply.

A compounding pharmacy opens up so many fantastic options.

Compounding pharmacists may be able to mix a steroid and antibiotic cream, or even create a completely new and custom-created dietary supplement instead.

Other options include adding flavorings to make your dog’s oral medications more appealing, eliminating some of the stress that comes with administering drugs.

 

Conclusion

Dog skin problems are one of the most common reasons for visits to the vet.

The longer they go untreated, the more likely they are to evolve from simple itchiness into open wounds.

It’s essential to visit the vet first for a proper assessment, allergy testing, blood work, or even a skin scrape to determine the cause.

Once you know the triggers to your dog’s skin problems, you’ll be able to keep your skin-care arsenal stocked with everything you need to nip these problems in the bud year-round.

And if you need more information about how Burt’s Rx can help, call today! We offer services such as pediatric compounding, compounded medication for pain management, BHRT, and dental compounding.

Categories
Health

9 Summer Pet Safety Tips to Keep Your Pets Healthy

The summer months are heating up, and while your pets may love being with you at all times, it’s important to keep their safety in mind with these summer pet safety tips.

Our pets don’t have the freedom (or thumbs) to adjust the thermostat, or grab a glass of water, so it’s important for us to take special care in making sure they are comfortable during the summer months.

 

What Are Common Summer Pet Safety Tips to Think About?

Everyone enjoys the summer months – warm weather, more sunlight, and lots of play time.

However, as the summer months approach, it’s important to consider summer pet safety as well.

Some of the most important safety considerations include:

  1. Heat Illness
  2. Swimming Tips
  3. Sun Protection
  4. Importance of Leashes
  5. Paw Protection
  6. Dangerous Outdoor Areas
  7. Antifreeze Protection
  8. Hair Cut Tips
  9. Hot Cars

This summer, consider these summer pet safety tips to keep your furry friends happy, safe, and healthy.

 

1. Know the Signs of Heat Illness

One of the most important considerations to summer pet safety is knowing the signs of overheating.

Make sure you are familiar with the signs of heat illness in your pets.

You shouldn’t see your pets excessively panting or having trouble breathing. Panting is normal immediately during or after play, but should subside almost immediately.

Excessive drooling, a high respiratory rate, weakness and fatigue, and lethargy are symptoms of an urgent problem.

Sometimes, heat-related illnesses manifest in unusual ways.

Your pets should not have bloody diarrhea or be vomiting, especially after time at the beach or in the sun.

If they do, it’s a sign your pet needs immediate care.

 

A Note on Brachycephalic Breeds

Do you have animals with flat faces? These breeds, such as Persian cats and Pugs, actually have a harder time panting and are more likely to develop heat illness.

Make sure you are keeping them in cool rooms to avoid issues, or at least provide them with shade and ample ability to escape the heat.

 

 

2. Swimming Fun

Ok, so this one is for the dogs. While a lot of dogs love water, they’re not all amazing swimmers, so this needs to be another consideration when it comes to summer pet safety.

Take your time introducing your dog to the water. Rinse your dog off after any type of swimming, especially in chlorinated water and salt water pools. Pool chemicals are not good for your dog, so don’t let them drink the water.

Never leave your dog unsupervised in the water. You’ll want to pay special attention to rip tides and currents.

Even strong swimmers can be quickly carried out to sea or downstream very quickly on a bad day in the water.

Lakes can also have sinkholes and a dog may panic if he suddenly can’t feel his feet touching the bottom.

If you’re heading off to one of our wonderful national parks, or just hitting up the local lake, be aware that there can be unique dangerous present.

Avoid lakes that have blue-green algae or that smell funny, as this type of water can be more toxic if ingested.

Always use canine and human life vests if you are on a boat or swimming longer distances.

If you have a backyard with enough space, giving your dog his own hard plastic kiddie pool will ensure he has a safe place to splash and cool off. Just make sure you put it in the shade.

Be especially mindful if you take your dog swimming in a body of salt water, as the salt can act as a laxative.

You may want to give your pup about a half hour of time on dry land to make sure he isn’t having any GI issues before getting back into the car.

 

3. Sun Protection

Skin cancer is just as common in dogs and cats as it is in humans.

As a matter of fact, Prevention noted that skin cancer is the most common form in dogs and the second most common in cats.

Summer and hot weather increases the risk of a sunburn, which in turn raises the risk of melanoma.

While your pet’s hair is likely to protect him, pet-friendly sunblocks should be applied to their bellies, to the areas around the ears, and to the areas around the eyes.

This is especially important if you plan on being outside for an extended period of time.

 

4. Always Use a Leash

This summer, you should also be mindful of using a leash to keep your pets safe outdoors.

Accidents happen, no matter how well trained your pet is. Always have your dog on a leash in public. It’s law in most places, anyway.

New people, other pets, and sudden sounds can send a dog into a panic, causing an unintentional attack on someone nearby or running into traffic or a crowd.

You will also be better able to control and move your dog out of harm’s way if you come into contact with another pet or wild animal that is in distress.

 

 

5. Paw Protection

Paw protection is another important aspect of summer pet safety.

Asphalt and concrete surfaces can become very hot on sunny days and your pet’s paws do not offer any sort of protection.

Hot surfaces can cause burns and can also cause your pet’s body temperature to rise faster.

Use caution when approaching any questionable surface.

The metal bed of a truck can burn your dog, too. If you wouldn’t put your bare feet on a surface, don’t make your pets do so.

Keep in mind that if your pets paws do get burned, your pharmacist can create compounded pet medication to relieve the pain. But, it’s better to consider these summer pet safety tips before it comes to that!

 

6. Not All Open Spaces are Safe

A huge field of grass may look like a great place to pull over, stretch your legs, and let your pet run around.

The truth is that a lot of property owners treat their lawns with pesticides and fertilizers during the summer months.

There is also the chance of coming across fleas or ticks when running through unknown areas. This concern can be reduced with flea and tick medicine, but it’s an important consideration.

It’s safer to take your pet to areas that are known to be pet-friendly and safe, like a dog-friendly beach, walking trail, or dog park.

 

7. Avoid Antifreeze

The antifreeze you put into your car is apparently quite appetizing to pets.

It’s also incredibly poisonous to both dogs and cats alike, even in very small amounts.

While this is a year-round concern, people are more likely to have issues and leaks during the summer months.

Make sure you are keeping your pets away from puddles in driveways and parking lots as you explore the neighborhood.

 

 

8. Don’t Cut Your Pet’s Hair

Another consideration for summer pet safety is knowing their type of hair – and what their grooming should include. It may seem logical to cut your pet’s long hair to keep him cooler in the summer, but that’s not exactly true, especially for double-coated breeds.

No matter what your pet’s natural length, the hair does it’s own job circulating and regulating body temperature.

Keeping your pet’s hair brushed so that it doesn’t matt is more important than cutting.

That being said, some dogs do seem more comfortable with a trim or even a shave, especially if they’re older, infirm, or have trouble grooming themselves.

See your vet or a groomer for one-on-one advice.

 

9. NEVER Leave Your Dog in the Car

The number one rule of summer pet safety is this: never, ever leave your dog unattended in a car.

The temperature inside a closed car rises very rapidly and your pet can become overheated and suffocate in mere minutes.

On a comfortable 78 degree day, your car’s temperature can rise to up to 160 degrees if parked directly in the sun.

Always carry water with you when traveling with your pet; and leave him at home if you won’t be able to take him with you when you leave the car.

 

Summer fun means taking the entire family along – including your pets. But just as you would consider your children’s safety in the summer, you should do the same for summer pet safety.

Make sure you are mindful of their health and safety needs and are keeping them as safe as possible with these summer pet safety tips.

They’ll love you for including them in “pack” activities!

Categories
Compounding

What Is a Veterinary Compounding Pharmacy?

Pharmacies have the legal right to fill prescriptions for animals or humans as long as the prescription is written by a doctor or veterinarian. All you need to do is bring the prescription in to the pharmacy to have it filled. Veterinarians work closely with a local veterinary compounding pharmacy to help pet parents access the medications they need to keep their pets safe, healthy, and well.

Often, pet parents are surprised to learn that they can fill prescriptions at the local pharmacy. They may believe pharmacies don’t work with animals, or if they’re aware, they may think it’s actually more expensive than filling the prescription at the vet’s office instead. At the end of the day, filling your pet’s prescription at a human pharmacy is usually cheaper, faster, and more flexible, too.

Sometimes, filling your pet’s prescription at a pharmacy isn’t just an option – it’s required. This is often the case when pets need medications that aren’t commercially available in standardized doses. A veterinary compounding pharmacy helps pet parents address these concerns safely and reliably.

 

What is a Veterinary Compounding Pharmacy?

To understand exactly what a veterinary compounding pharmacy does, we must first understand what happens in a standard pharmacy.

In the Pharmacy

When you bring a prescription in, the pharmacist assesses it for validity and safety concerns, including cross-matching it to other current prescriptions for something called “contraindications” (dangerous interactions). He or she then identifies the brand or commercial medication that best matches the medication prescribed.

Assuming the medication already exists, the pharmacist fills it and provides the patient with information on how to safely use their medication.

All is well – unless the patient has unique needs.

 

Prescription Standardization Struggles

Commercially-available medications are created using standardization. All dosage options and formats adhere to a standard that best suits the needs of the average patient. Standardization (sometimes referred to as quality control) allows drug manufacturers to quickly, safely, and accurately mass-produce drugs for the general population.

Unfortunately, standardized drugs come in very specific doses, and those doses aren’t always right for every patient. Sometimes, patients have allergies, require altered doses, or can’t take drugs in the format they come in (e.g., a pill) because they can’t swallow. Others may struggle with inappropriate dosage formats (e.g., pills, patches, or creams) because it inadequately addresses their condition. Or, they may take multiple medications and require combination treatments instead.

These unique health situations present special challenges, especially for pet parents and veterinarians. There are far fewer pet drug manufacturers than human pharmaceutical manufacturers, meaning options for non-standard requests are often few and far between. Pet parents may find themselves struggling to access the right treatment for their pet’s condition without introducing serious potential side effects or risks.

When pets (or even humans) have unique treatment needs, they often require non-standardized medications made from scratch. Unfortunately, drug manufacturers simply cannot address the needs of the individual patient in this way; their job is to mass-produce medications that address the needs of the general populace rather than every single individual. That’s where the veterinary compounding pharmacy comes in.

 

The Answer: Compounding

To resolve the issue of unique medication needs, compounding pharmacies take up the task and become micro-manufacturers instead. Whereas standard pharmacies simply provide access to commercial medications, compounding pharmacies use base ingredients to hand-craft the medication instead. It becomes infinitesimally easier to adjust dose, dosage format, or ingredients on a case-by-case basis.

A veterinary compounding pharmacy refers to compounding pharmacies that explicitly work with pet or animal medications in addition to human medications. Rather than being a specific type of pharmacy, veterinary compounding is a provided service instead.

 

Examples of Compounding

Veterinary compounding is much more common in the veterinary medicine world than most pet parents realize. Even veterinarians rely on it for fast and accurate access to medications that either aren’t formulated for humans or aren’t FDA-approved in the specific doses required.

Any time a pharmacist manipulates medication in some manner, he or she is effectively engaging in compounding to create a brand-new formula. For the purposes of regulation, the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA) defines manipulation as “mixing, diluting, concentrating, flavoring, or changing a drug’s dosage form.”

In practice, this may include:

  • Creating multi-drug pills, topicals, liquids, or injections
  • Crushing, breaking, or splitting tablets into smaller doses
  • Creating oral suspensions and/or liquids from solids or powders
  • Creating topical or transdermal creams, salves, and gels from solids
  • Making standardized or compounded medications taste better with flavoring
  • Creating eye drops, ear drops, suppositories, or otic sprays from drugs
  • Using a pill press to create tablets from base ingredients for pet patients
  • Placing medications into pre-sized gelatin capsules with patient-specific doses
  • Providing you with Expanded Access (unapproved) veterinary medications

 

Is Veterinary Compounding Safe?

Pet parents are often concerned by the fact that most compounded veterinary medicines aren’t FDA-approved.  This leads to them asking whether compounding is safe, reliable, or has regulations at all.

Veterinary compounded medicines may not be FDA-approved, but that’s only because they qualify as an exception to FDA regulation. This difference is not an indicator that the medications provided are in any way unsafe; instead, safety is the responsibility of the pharmacy itself.

All American compounding pharmacies (veterinary or otherwise) must still adhere to strict protocols and regulations. These regulations oversee the pharmacy when filling, making, and providing medication to patients. This includes state and federal legislation under the Compounding Quality Act (CQA) and your State Board of Pharmacy. These regulations specify processes to protect the compounding process (purity, ingredients, sources and doses) and the final compounded products. This ensures that every licensed veterinary compounding pharmacy adheres to only the highest standards when making medication.

 

Which Pets Benefit from Compounding?

Any pet that takes medication (regardless of species) can benefit from compounded pet medications. In fact, some particularly sensitive animals like fish, reptiles, and insects can only be treated with compounded medications. This is because human medications would simply be far too strong for them. That said, it is more common to see prescriptions for very specific animals in a veterinary pharmacy:

  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Horses
  • Birds
  • Mice
  • Rats
  • Hamsters
  • Rabbits
  • Snakes
  • Lizards

Compounding is also fairly common for pet parents who keep livestock like cows, goats, and chickens as family pets or hobby animals. The only exception is when these animals are kept as food stock; then, FDA regulations for food stock animals prevent the use of compounded medications in favor of specific commercial drugs instead.

Do I Need a Prescription for Veterinary Compounding?

Maybe. Whether or not you need a prescription to access your pet’s veterinary medicine depends on whether or not that medicine is deemed a prescription access medication in the first place. If your vet recommends a modified over-the-counter (OTC) drug, the pharmacist may not require a prescription to compound it for you.

If the suggested medication requires a substance only accessible by prescription, the pharmacy must have a prescription on file before they can fill it for you.

 

A Note on Safety

Pet parents should never give pets any medication (compounded or otherwise) without verifying its suitability with a veterinarian. Pets are exceptionally sensitive, and often, human medications like Aspirin, Tylenol, and Aleve can cause them a great deal of harm. Never give your pet a previously compounded medication made for a different pet, for you, or for someone else in your household. It’s just not worth the risk.

If you suspect your pet may be struggling with a health condition or may need medication, your veterinarian is your best first line of defense. See your vet for a thorough check-up and examination to determine the cause of your pet’s struggles. If your vet prescribes compounded medications, or if you have any other questions about veterinary compounding, contact your local pharmacy for advice.

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Compounding

Different Types of Compounded Medications for Pets

You’re an animal lover–you want what’s best for your bet, especially when they are sick. A trip to the vet can cause stress for both you and your pet. With payments, medications, and lists of do’s and don’ts, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. While most vets have a pharmacy right on site, there are some medical problems that require specific or targeted treatments. That’s where your local compounding pharmacy comes in. Compounding pharmacies can mix ingredients to the very specific doses that your pet requires, alter the flavor of a medication, or create pet-specific combination medications that improve your ability to treat your pet. Here is a list of some of the different types of compounded medications for pets that your local compounding pharmacy can provide.

 

Transdermal Gels

These compounded medications for pets are made into a gel that is put inside the animal’s ear flap. Vets prescribe transdermal gels most commonly to deliver antiparasitics, anti-inflammatories, and sometimes, hormones. Transdermal gels work in the same way as transdermal patches–by transferring the medication through the derma (skin) and into the bloodstream.

 

Methimazole

Vets use Methimazole to treat canine or feline hyperthyroidism, also known as an overactive thyroid. It’s used in both dogs and cats, but is a much more common and effective treatment for felines. The medicine used in the transdermal gel is the exact same as the tablets, and often comes in ready to use syringes for easy dosing of your pet.

This is a fast-acting medication, though full results can take some time. Compounding pharmacies can also create oral methimazole suspensions and pills. Wet versions of the drug have a three-month lifespan, whereas pills generally last approximately one year..

 

Amitriptyline

Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. It balances certain receptors and chemicals in the brain. It treats a variety of behavioral issues in pets, and is often prescribed for anxiety, separation anxiety, excessive grooming, spraying in cats, and overgrooming. Some pets may benefit from using this drug for chronic nerve pain and severe itching.

Amitriptyline pills are small and easy to dose, so it isn’t really common for a vet to prescribe it in a transdermal gel. Vets typically prescribe it when other dosing methods have failed or when the pet has pre-existing liver considerations.

 

Prednisolone

This medication is a steroid that decreases inflammation and alters the immune system’s response. Vets prescribe it to treat itching, swelling, and redness associated with allergies, breathing and skin problems, and a wide range of auto-immune conditions. Veterinary oncologists also prescribe it alongside chemotherapy treatments for particularly aggressive or difficult-to-treat growths and cancers.

Prednisolone is available in a long list of delivery methods, but the transdermal gel is particularly appropriate for pets with autoimmune skin conditions as it can be applied directly to the affected area.

 

Capsules

Another type of compounded medications for pets is capsules. Capsules mimic the style and shape of a pill, but rather than being sold, are pre-filled and then snapped together by your compounding pharmacist. Dosing a capsule is identical to dosing a pill; the only difference is that your pharmacist can alter what’s inside the pill before you begin.

 

Diethylstilbestrol

Commonly known as DES, this medication is used to treat estrogen responsive urinary incontinence. This condition occurs in spayed female dogs and may be related to incomplete spay or other hormone conditions. Estrogen responsive urinary incontinence can be a serious challenge for pet owners; to some, it may seem like the dog has regressed. But no amount of potty training will change this condition. Only medications like DES can help.

DES is also used to treat male dogs with an enlarged prostate, whether due to a condition like cancer or even just old age. The medication reduces the swelling and relieves pressure.

DES has a short shelf life of just 20 weeks. You should closely monitor your usage of the drug and request a refill at least one week in advance of the end of your current prescription.

 

Potassium Bromide Capsules

Potassium bromide treats seizures and neurological disorders. This drug is one of the oldest anti-seizure drugs available on the market to date, and was first created to treat people in the late 1800s. Today we have better medications for humans, but in pets, potassium bromide remains a go-to medication for hard-to-treat or resistant epilepsy.

This medication contains the original medication potassium bromide, but comes in an easier-to-dose capsule form. Compounding pharmacies sometimes combine it with other medications, like phenobarbital or benzodiazepines, to increase the efficacy of the other drug.

During treatment, your vet will monitor your pet’s blood work closely. He or she may make adjustments to the amount of potassium bromide that your pet receives daily along the way.

 

Cisapride Capsules

The medical and veterinary industries both rely upon Cisapride as a medication that reduces gastrointestinal complaints. It is remarkably effective at treating acid reflux, G.E.R.D., and diarrhea or constipation in Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Cisapride capsules increase motility in the upper gut, preventing food and substances from sitting too long in the stomach. This improves digestion and reduces irritation along the bowel for most pets.

Like potassium bromide, Cisapride has a short shelf life. Seek refills at a maximum of every 90 days.
 

Mixed Form Medications

Mixed form medications come in such a broad range of options that it would be functionally impossible to list them all here in a single blog post. Essentially, anytime your pharmacist mixes two medications together, they are creating a new mixed form medication. This is useful for pets with filler allergies, pets who are particularly small or very large, and any animal who has a special health consideration or pre-existing condition.

For example, Trilostane commonly treats pets who suffer from Cushing’s Disease, also known as hyperadrenocorticism. This is a disorder where the body produces too much cortisol.

Because the exact dose can vary based on your pet’s hormone levels, compounding is almost always necessary for adrenal issues. But there’s another good reason to give Trilostane as a compounded substance; vets often add other medications into it, like steroids, when treating conditions like cancer or adrenal tumors.

Some medications, depending on the pharmacy, may also come in flavored chewables, micro tablets, eye drops or gels, otic ear packs, and sterile injectables. All of these give you the option and ability to meet your pet’s needs however suits you both best.

 

How to Access Compounded Medications for Pets and their Prices

Do you have a prescription for a compounded medication? If so, understand that ordering compounded medications for pets doesn’t need to be any more difficult than ordering any other medication. Speak with your pharmacy to get started; most human pharmacies also provide this service by request.

Sometimes, compounded medications for pets do come at a premium. But for the most part, you’ll find that compounded medications are just about on par with standard commercial medicines. The peace of mind and healing achieved through a tailor-made medication is well-worth any slight increase in price. To your companion, be it dog or cat, the interactions you have with them mean everything. When those interactions are negative due to medications, it affects your pets bond with you and may even hamper their ability to heal.

 

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