IMPORTANT: As a responsible pet owner who loves their pet(s), take the time to read & research any / all drugs that are suggested or recommended or prescribed by your pet care provider. It is very important you Read & Research all food, drugs, vaccines and pet care before giving to your pet. They cannot speak and they rely on you as their owner to educate and understand what is safest for them.
If you have any questions, please consult with your pet care provider’s and discuss any questions or concerns you might have. Ask them how familiar they are with the drug(s) and what their experience has been with other pets. Your vet should be able to provide you information about the drug. You can also call any manufacturer of a drug for support; they will have customer support phone numbers and qualified people to help you with any questions you may have.
There are many natural alternatives to; Anti-Itch Drugs, Immune Suppressants, Beta-Blockers & Anti-Inflammatories that you can try as a first alternative that do not carry the risk that systemic drugs carry. Top leading drug companies continue to develop natural organic products that are safer for your pet as this is an emerging market for natural organic products. These natural organic products are effective and proven.
As a loving pet owner, take the time to research the drug and the information your veterinary is providing you to make sure you are putting your dog in a safe position and not doing anything that would be considered unsafe.
It is very important to Fine Tune and Focus your eyes on your dogs’ behavior when starting a drug, if you see any different actions in your dog; urine or stool changes, drooling, shaking, itching, chewing at their paws, lethargic or lack of energy, restlessness, any different actions; consult with your veterinary immediately as your dog could be having an allergic or anaphylactic reaction, you can also call the drug manufacturer and they should have a help line as well.
Using systemic Steroids and Anti-Microbials and other types of systemic drugs can have serious side effects they may greatly injure your dog if not administered properly. You can consult with your veterinary and ask if there are safer alternatives that might be available.
If your dog has a skin rash, it is maybe more responsible to try a topical cream or ointment as a first defense instead of a systemic drug is given orally. Consult with your veterinarian and discuss the most judicious method of treatment.
It is important to be gentle, when possible, in treating medical conditions in your pet. Try to find a veterinarian that practices very judicious use of drugs and a vet that is balanced and uses traditional methods as well as one that understands alternative natural remedies and methods as well. Vitamins and Minerals can be very effective in helping your dog in certain conditions.
Before giving prescription medication to your dog, learn everything you can about it. Start by talking with your veterinarian about their knowledge and experience with the drug. You can also contact the manufacturer and discuss any questions you may have with them as well.
Next, spend time researching the medication and learning about the effect it will have on your pet. In addition to reading the manufacturer’s specification sheet, you should visit several independent websites to learn what others are saying about the drug and the results and reviews.
As you research, get a thorough understanding of; contraindications, allergic reactions, interactions with other drugs, anaphylactic reactions, etc. Be vigilant before starting your dog on a drug(s) such as; steroids, antimicrobials, beta-blockers and other products.
Consider the safety risk versus the reward of the medication and discuss this with your veterinarian so they understand your position.
If your dog will be taking more than one medication, it’s critically important to consult with your vet on drug interactions. Make sure your vet is aware of every medication your pet is on. In addition, it’s important that you as a responsible pet-owner, research multiple websites to learn about drugs that are dangerous to combine. Some drugs can be dangerous and even lethal when administered in combination with others. Research drugs to make sure they are approved for veterinary use and for what incidences they are approved for.
Your dog can’t tell you if they are having a bad reaction to a drug. When your dog begins a new medication, you need to magnify your focus on your pet. Watch for distress signs such as, drooling, chewing paws, scratching, red skin, lethargy and any other change in behavior. These may indicate that your dog is having a negative reaction to the medication. If you notice these changes, take notes and contact your vet immediately. Make sure your dog’s veterinary notes include any medicines that your dog has a negative reaction to.
AS A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER WHO LOVES THIER PET WE URGE YOU TO READ ABOUT ALL DRUGS, MEDICINES, PILLS, etc. before deciding to give to your pet. Be kind to your pet and take the time to research data and be educated on any and all drugs you are considering giving to your pet.
This is a great source to find a veterinarian that may be more holistic and natural when possible.
American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association – The Leader, the Voice, the Resource for integrative holistic veterinary medicine (ahvma.org)
Judicious use of Anti-Microbials
AAFP/AAHA basic guidelines of judicious therapeutic use of antimicrobials | American Veterinary Medical Association (avma.org)
If you have any questions on a drug, you can contact the manufacturer of the drug as they usually have a help line.
If your vet is not familiar with your dogs’ health concerns, you can also ask your vet to look on www.vetfolio.com to seek additional education that might be specific to your dog’s unique needs.