FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DOGS
1) Why is it that the veterinarian will not dispense drugs to me without seeing the animal first?
Veterinarians cannot dispense antibiotics or other drugs unless they have a client-patient-doctor relationship with you and that animal.
We are required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure that we are not giving a medication to an animal that may be detrimental to that animal; that is a condition of our keeping our license. Also, veterinarians try to decrease the use of antibiotics overall so as to decrease the number of resistant “super” bacteria created, bacteria that no antibiotic can kill.
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| FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DOGS |
2) Why do I have to give the drug so many times a day and for so long after the animal appears to be cured?
The number of times a day a drug is given determines the concentration of that drug in the bloodstream. When the drug is given, concentrations in the bloodstream are high initially and gradually fall. The idea is to give the drug again as the concentration falls off, to keep the concen-tration in a range that will be effective at all times. Most drugs are given for a while after the problem is resolved to allow the body to resolve the problem completely. For example, the outward signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge) may be cleared up by antibiotics well before the dog’s immune system has completely cleared all the infection from the body .
3) Are generic alternatives to expensive drugs okay to use?
All new drugs that are patented have a period during which their patent is protected and no other company can make that drug. After the patent period is over, others can make the drug but may not make it with exactly the same formulation. For many drugs the exact formulation does not matter and the generic forms are equally as effective as the brand names.
I do know of cases, however, in which the brand-name drug did work better than the generic drug did, probably because of the binders and other products in the drug that helped it to be absorbed. If you have concerns about the cost of a medication, ask your veterinarian about the availability and effectiveness of generic equivalents.
4) Are some breeds more sensitive to anesthesia?
Only one breed, the greyhound, has been reported to be sensitive to one class of injectable anesthetics. No other reports are supported by the veterinary literature. Veterinarians do their best to ensure that an animal can tolerate anesthesia before administering any drug. Where I work, preanesthetic bloodwork and a complete physical examination always are performed and a heart monitor is always used during anesthesia.
5) Is it safe to give drugs, including heartworm preventative, to my pregnant bitch?
As a general rule, I try not to give a pregnant bitch anything she does not absolutely require. Where I live, mosquitoes and heartworms are a real problem in the summer months, so I recommend heartworm preventative for any bitch that is going to go outside. Bitches should be wormed for intestinal parasites late in pregnancy. For all other medications, a risk-benefit analysis must be made for each individual case.
There are many other dog-related Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), but the following are ones that dog owners or those thinking about obtaining a dog frequently ask:
Which dog breeds are ideal for families?
What kind of exercise should a dog get?
When should I give my dog food?
What should my dog eat?
How should my dog be trained?
How can I housebreak my new puppy?
When should I give my dog a bath?
How can I keep my dog's fur free of ticks and fleas?
How can I maintain the teeth on my dog healthy?
What shots does my dog require?
How should my dog be socialised?
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