Pets are part of the family. And just as we have human doctors to look after our health needs, veterinarians care for your family members with four legs, fur, and wet noses.
Veterinarians are qualified to prescribe various drugs, but in certain circumstances, the medications might not be the best fit, or your pet might not want to take them. That’s when working with Strive, a trusted veterinary compounding pharmacy can make all the difference.
Why Pets Need Medication
Animals are susceptible to illness and disease, just like humans. Parasites are especially prevalent among animals because of their proclivity to eat things that may not be good for them. Other ailments impact the well-being of various animal species.
A licensed veterinarian can diagnose your furry friend and prescribe medications.
Common Pet Illnesses
Although your dog or cat may not get sick every flu season, it may be more susceptible to other common illnesses. Some of these ailments that regularly affect pets include:
- Ear infections: An ear infection in an animal can occur in response to excess yeast, bacteria, or mites. Symptoms include head shaking, scratching the infected ear, redness and swelling of the ear canal, or crusting/scabbing of the ear tissue. Most veterinarians prescribe an antibiotic ointment to apply to the affected area.
- Parvovirus: Parvovirus spreads through contact with infected animals and can be fatal, especially in younger cats and dogs. Signs include a loss of appetite, lethargy, bloating and pain in the abdominal area, extremes in body temperature, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. It’s treatable, although it often requires supportive care with constant monitoring.
- Obesity: Many animal companions are overweight or obese, which can cause other health and wellness issues. If you can’t feel or see your animal’s waistline, its abdominal section sags, or it moves more slowly, the pet may be obese. The best way to help your pet shed pounds involves restricting calories and helping them exercise.
- Heartworm: Heartworm occurs when a parasitic worm enters the body through a mosquito bite. Your pet might have heartworm if they have a persistent cough, a decreased appetite, or unexplained weight loss. Veterinarians can prescribe or administer an injectable drug that kills heartworm.
- Skin infections: A skin infection can occur if your pet has an underlying medical condition, allergies, or a hormonal disorder. Common signs of this ailment include flaky skin, redness, itchiness, or hyperpigmentation. Oral or topical antibiotics will usually clear it up.
- Kennel cough: Various viruses and bacteria can cause kennel cough, which spreads through contact with an infected canine or toys, food, and water bowls. When a dog has this illness, the cough may sound like retching or dry hacking. More severe instances include fevers and difficulty breathing. Rest might resolve the issue, but your veterinarian might prescribe antibiotics, which you can get from a veterinary compounding pharmacy near you.
- Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV): Primarily spread through bites, FIV can cause severe inflammation of the gums, weight loss, and seizures. There is no functional cure for this condition in cats, but it’s important to take steps to treat secondary infections as they come up.
Pets can be difficult to treat; they’re often scared at the vet’s office and dislike taking medication. Finding the right medical professionals to help you care for your sick pet is vital to their health and well-being. Working with a pet compounding pharmacy like Strive can simplify the process, providing your furry friend access to suitable treatment options.
Benefits of Compounded Medication for Animals
Compounding involves the manipulation of drugs beyond what is described on the drug label. Applying the principles of compounding can occur in various ways, including mixing two different drugs within the same syringe or converting pills into a flavored liquid. The advantage of compounding is that it provides medicinal solutions that may not have been possible otherwise.
A pet compounding pharmacy can provide compounded medication for pets, offering a unique approach that aligns with the complex needs of your animals. A tailored medical approach to a specific illness or issue considers your pet’s condition and preferences.
For example, your cat might need to take a pill every day but rejects it when you try to hide it in her food. Compounding techniques can change the administration method and solve the problem, ensuring your pets get the treatments they need to thrive.
At Strive Pharmacy, we are committed to helping maintain the health of our communities. Just like with our human patients, our highly trained pharmacists provide services that can help your pets continue experiencing the best of what life has to offer. You can also refill your prescriptions online, which allows for less hassle.
Strive Pharmacy Can Help
At Strive Pharmacy, we strive to help pet owners care for their beloved animal companions. We saw a need in the pharmaceutical community to provide customized medical care to people and animals. Our team members are dedicated to ensuring your pet gets the care and treatment they need.
Contact us today to speak to a compounding pharmacist or visit a veterinary compounding pharmacy near you!