Common Pet Medications

There are lots of veterinary and pet medication websites to be found on the Internet nowadays, and all claim to be the foremost authority and source for your pet’s needs. Your pet's medical condition should be evaluated by a veterinarian before any medical decisions are implemented. Thus, the professional advice of a registered veterinarian is invaluable. This information does not replace professional veterinary care; its purpose is to be used as an educational guide to your pet’s medications only.

Acepromazine - Although Acepromazine has several actions that might be valuable, it is mostly used as a tranquilizer.

In veterinary medicine, buspirone has been especially helpful in the treatment of phobias (such as fear of thunder, people in uniform, etc.) and in the treatment of urine marking in cats.

Calcitriol - This medication actually represents activated vitamin D. It plays an important role in calcium phosphorus balance and can be beneficial in preventing the progression of kidney failure.

Chloramphenicol - Chloramphenicol represents years of antibiotic development. It can easily pass deeply through purulent material to the organisms hiding within, through cell membranes to attack parasites living within, and into organs where other antibiotics cannot go.

Chlorpheniramine Maleate - Chlorpheniramine Maleate is an antihistamine used for acute inflammatory and allergic conditions such as snake bites, vaccination reactions, blood transfusion reactions, bee stings and insect bites, and to manage itchy skin.

Clemastine fumarate - Clemastine fumarate is one of the more effective antihistamines albeit relatively expensive. Due to its efficacy, it is the first choice for curing itchy skin. It has found to be helpful in 30% of itchy dogs and 50% of itchy cats.

Diethylstilbestrol - DES has only one primary use: curing sphincter tone incontinence in female dogs. DES is used at extremely low doses to avoid the toxicity issues that have been a problem for estrogen derivative medications.

Diphenhydramine - It is an antihistamine used for inflammatory and allergic conditions such as snake bites, vaccination reactions, blood transfusion reactions, bee stings and insect bites.

Enrofloxacin - This medication may be used in either dogs or cats to combat various types of infections, especially those involving Pseudomonas.

Famotidine - This drug can be helpful in curing Helicobacter infection, inflammatory bowel disease, ingestion of a toxin that could be ulcerating, any disease involving protracted vomiting, or chronically in combination with medications that irritate stomachs.

Fluconazole - Fluconazole works by inhibiting the fungal enzymes that produce ergosterol, an important component of the fungal cell wall. Without adequate ergosterol, the fungal cell becomes weak, leaky, and ultimately dies.

Glipizide - This oral medication works by causing the pancreas to release insulin more effectively. It also helps increase tissue sensitivity so that smaller doses of insulin may have a greater effect. Some cats will respond adequately to this treatment and thus avoid the use of insulin injections at home.

Ketoconazole - This drug fights fungal infections both minor and life threatening, but because of the way it works it can also be used to treat Cushing’s disease (a cortisone imbalance).

Meloxicam - Meloxicam is generally given to control arthritis pain in dogs though it can be given for many other painful conditions. It is often used an analgesic in conjunction with surgery.

Phenobarbital - This is the first choice for curing seizures in cats and dogs. It is effective, safe if used responsibly, and is one of the least expensive medications in all of veterinary practice.

Phenylpropanolamine - This medication is used to help control appetite or as a decongestant, however, in veterinary medicine it is used almost exclusively for the control of urinary incontinence in the female dog.

Ranitidine - Ranitidine is valuable for curing conditions where stomach irritation is an issue and ulceration is a concern.

Terbinafine - Terbinafine is used for curing other types of fungi but at this time it is mostly used against ringworm.

Trimethoprim Sulfa - This medication is also known by many names since it's a commonly used antibiotic in both human and veterinary medicine. It's become a popular choice thanks to its broad spectrum and inexpensive cost.