Pharmaceutical Compounding: Helping Vets and Pets*

Compounding broadens veterinarians’ prescribing options, allowing them to offer customized dosage forms to meet each animal’s specific needs and solve medication problems. The goal of compounding for pets, exotics, and zoo animals is to enhance the veterinarian’s ability to treat patients in a more effective and efficient manner.

Compounding makes it easier to medicate animals, who readily accept the customized dosage forms. Owners no longer have to risk contracting disease or infection from scratches or bites inflicted by an aggressive animal who is resisting medication, because options now include medicated “treats” and transdermal dosage forms. Transdermal delivery is particularly useful in animals who should not be stressed due to cardiovascular or hypertensive problems. Medicated creams or gels can be applied to the inside of an animal’s ear or another closely clipped or hairless area. This dosage form has been successfully used to administer antiemetics (especially handy for animals who are nauseated by car rides), cardiac or hypertensive drugs, or behavioral therapy. The amount of medication incorporated into the medicated chews or “treats”, capsules, topical, transdermal, or liquid preparations can be formulated to the specific request of the veterinarian, thereby eliminating the need for the animal’s owner to cut tablets or divide the contents of commercially prepared capsules.

We DO NOT practice veterinary medicine. We DO help veterinarians and other animal care specialists to solve medication problems by providing specially compounded medications which meet the unique needs of each animal.

*This is the title of a peer-reviewed article which appeared in the October 2000 issue of Veterinary Forum.

Copyright 2004, Storey Marketing - Veterinary Website Updates. Reproduction prohibited without subscription from Storey Marketing (814-337-3441). Questions regarding this article should be directed to the compounding professionals at Thrifty Health and Compounding Pharmacy.