Learning More About Giving My Dog Medications
Your veterinarian will prescribe your dog medication after your appointment, after they have done their exam and workup, and determined exactly what medication is best for your pet's particular need. Thankfully, medication can help address a lot of common concerns. Typically in dogs, we commonly reach for antibiotics for various types of infection, a lot of neurologic medication, heart medication for various heart diseases, and much more. There is a lot of behavioral medication out there as well. If you have any concerns about your pet at all, come see us, and we should be able to help you find something.
What kind of medications may my dog get from my veterinarian?
A common reason for bringing your dog in to see your vet is due to GI upset, commonly vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. There are a lot of medications you can give your dog to help them through a GI flare-up. Other common prescriptions include pain medication for both acute soft tissue pain as well as for more chronic long-term pain management.
The most common concern for antibiotics is typically GI upset. We see a lot of vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appetite on them. If you're worried about that and your pet needs an antibiotic, please reach out and let your veterinarian know so we can get you something to help them.
Can my dog take over-the-counter medications?
There are a lot of over-the-counter medication options out there for your dog. Many times we are able to help treat their signs like diarrhea and decreased appetite with over-the-counter medication. It's always advisable to talk with your veterinarian before giving them any over-the-counter medications to make sure that it's safe for your pet.
Do I have to see the veterinarian for my dog's medication refills?
If you have a new concern for your pet, we recommend that we see them. That way, we can make sure we're not missing anything else and make sure that we get them on the best treatment plan. For more chronic, long-term problems that you've been managing with your veterinarian, we may be able to prescribe some options without seeing your pet in person every time. We have a pharmacy at both our Columbia Pike and our Town and Country Animal Hospital that should be able to fulfill a majority of prescription needs. For anything that can't be filled here, there are a bunch of online options as well as the ability to send any prescription to a human pharmacy.
How can I get my dog to take its medications?
Please be sure to let your vet know about all medications your pet may be on. That way, with any additional medication, we can know the possible side effects and reactions and monitor them. Often, owners can get away with trying to hide the pill in a treat. High-reward treats can include peanut butter, cheese, or meat. If you're still having trouble medicating your dog, you may want to come into the vet to learn some tips and tricks from the vet staff to help you handle your pet a little bit easier.
Is buying medication online safe?
It can be safe to buy your pet's medication online. However, we do recommend that you do your research and make sure it's from a reputable place. Your veterinarian will be able to direct you on where to go to make that purchase.
If you live in or near Annandale, VA, and are looking for pet care, contact us at (703) 256-8414 to set an appointment. You can also email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
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