Tips and Tricks for Giving Pets Medications
Giving pets medications can be extremely difficult. At Compounding Solutions, we work with you and your vet to make it as easy as possible. There are multiple
different types of dosage forms that we can use to make giving your pets medication go as smoothly as possible. We also offer pet-friendly flavoring that even the pickiest of pets are sure to love. Did you know that we are able to compound medications for all kinds of animals not just dogs and cats? We have created medications for horses, guinea pigs, ferrets, and reptiles.
What kind of flavors are available for my pet?
We offer a variety of flavors depending on the type of pet that you have. We offer tuna, beef, chicken, tutti-frutti (a hit with our feathered friends), and many others. Ask our pharmacists what flavor would work best for your pet.
What dosage forms are available for my pet?
We offer a number of different dosage forms to make you and your pet feel as comfortable as possible. Our job is to make giving your pet medication easier, so that it is not traumatizing for you or your animal. The dosage forms that we make include but are not limited to:
• Capsules (typically for dogs)
• Oral Liquids (solutions or suspensions)
• Transdermal creams
• Rectal creams (typically for canine seizure medications)
• Medicated treats
• Long-acting canine ear gels
• Ear drops
• Eye drops
• Injectables
Feline Transdermal Medications
Cats are a tricky animal to give medicine. Not only are they wily creatures, they have very sharp claws. Many medications can be made into a transdermal cream
that is applied to your cat’s inner ear called the pinna. Applying it this way allows the medicine to get into the bloodstream through the skin of the ear. We also concentrate the cream so that you are only applying a small amount of cream into the ear. We recommend switching ears from dose to dose.
How do I apply medicine to my cat’s inner ear?
Image Credit: https://eagleviewvet.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/ears-a-five-star-breeding-environment-for-bacteria/
• Wear gloves or protect your fingers with plastic wrap when applying
the transdermal cream. The medication can also absorb into human
skin.
• Push prescribed amount of medication out of the syringe onto your finger.
• Rub the medication into the inside of your pet’s ear. Apply where there is the least amount of fur. Switch ears with each application. Although the gel can be applied to any skin, with little or no hair, the ear is the best area to keep the pet from licking the medication.
• Rub the cream in well (like you would hand lotion).
• Remove gloves and wash hands.
• There may or may not be a thin film of powder left after the cream dries. This depends on the medication that is prescribed. If there is a thin film, it may be wiped off with a wet paper towel or washcloth before the next application.
• Store syringes at room temperature.
Long-acting Canine Ear Gels
Some dogs also prove to be a challenge when medicating. Long-acting ear gels are available to take away the discomfort of giving your pet medication. The gel is applied by your veterinarian in the office and lasts for 5-7 days. If needed your vet can administer another dose. It is a bioadhesive, so your dog is unable to shake it out nor does it make the ear feel “plugged up.” It also is biodegradable, so there is no need to clean it out of your dog’s ear after treatment.
How do I give my pet liquid medications?
Many liquid medications come with a dropper or oral syringe to administer it. Before approaching your pet with liquid medication, make sure that you have the syringe drawn and ready to go. For dogs and cats, the easiest way to administer liquids is to mix it with canned food. It is best to mix it with a small amount of food to to make sure that all of it gets eaten. You can also give it to them directly into the mouth.
To give liquids to dogs:
• Create a pouch along the side of the mouth by pulling the lip away from the teeth.
• Place the tip of the syringe in the side of the mouth, just behind one of the canine teeth and advance the syringe so that it is in the mouth just past the tooth line.
• Slowly push down on the plunger of the syringe. Make sure to do it slowly so that your dog can breathe and swallow the liquid.
• If your dog spits out the medicine, do not re-medicate unless you are sure that no medicine got into the mouth. Give your dog lots of praise throughout the procedure and give a treat afterwards.
To give liquids to cats:
• Depending on your cat’s personality, you may be able to give them the medicine without any type of restraint. However, some cats may need to wrapped in a towel or blanket so that only its head is exposed. You may also hold the cat by the scruff of its neck.
• Hold the syringe in your dominant hand. Allow the cat to lick the end of the syringe and “warm up to it.”
• If your cat is not interested in the syringe, grab the cat by the scruff and gently pull the head back. This will cause the mouth to open slightly.
• Place the syringe in the mouth just behind one of the canine teeth and advance it into the tip into the mouth so that there is a gap in the teeth.
• Angle the syringe down towards the tongue and slowly push down on the plunger of syringe.
• If your cat spits out the medicine, do not re-medicate unless you are sure that no medicine got into the mouth. Give your cat lots of praise throughout the procedure and give a treat afterwards.
Always rinse the syringe after giving your animal medicine.
What are some other tips or tricks to give my pet medicine?
• Hide it in food – an old but tried and true method to give pets medication, especially dogs, is to hide it in food like peanut butter or cheese. Unfortunately, some animals are quick to this game and eat the food leaving the medicine behind.
• Pill popper – Pill poppers work by shooting the medication into the back of the mouth. This is a very direct method, but sometimes it is necessary to get
the medicine in them.
• Topicals or ear drops – Try applying these while your pet is distracted such as when they are eating.
• Liquid Suspensions – Make sure to shake these well to get the medication back into the liquid portion. Over time, suspension particles fall to the bottom
and must be mixed back into the liquid portion.
• Treats – Give your pet a treat afterwards, so that they associate something good with medicine.
You can always ask your vet office for more tips and tricks of the trade to help medicating your pet a more pleasant experience. Our pharmacists are always available to help with any dosing or dosage form information.
Sources:
https://www.ovrs.com/blog/giving-pills-to-dogs-or-cats/
https://compoundingrxusa.com/blog/what-every-dog-owner-should-know-about-giving-their-pet-medicine/
https://theuniversityanimalclinic.com/tips-for-giving-your-pets-their-medications/
https://www.pccarx.com/Documents/M-Files/94005_Pet-PLO.pdf
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/giving-liquid-medication-to-cats
https://animalhospitaloflivermore.com/videos/giving-liquid-medication-to-your-dog/