Common Pet Medications

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Acid Blockers

DRUG: PURPOSE; DOSE; SIDE EFFECTS

Cimetidine: treat upper GI ulcers and inflammation; 5-10 mg/kg po q8h; rare side effects.

Famotidine: treat upper GI ulcers and inflammation; 0.5 mg/kg po q24h; use with caution in pets with heart disease.

Omeprazole: treat upper GI ulcers and inflammation; 0.5-1 mg/kg po q24h; limited side effects.

Ranitidine: treat upper GI ulcers and inflammation; 0.5-1 mg/kg po q12h; limited side effects.
(NOTE: There are many other indications, common dosages (with variable routes of administration) and possible side effects which are not listed. Please always consult your veterinarian.)

Abbreviations: mg=milligrams; kg=kilograms; po=per os (by mouth); q=every; h=hours

Antibiotics

DRUG: PURPOSE; DOSE; SIDE EFFECTS

Amoxicillin: upper respiratory tract and urinary tract; 11-22 mg/kg po q12h; limited side effects.

Baytril (enrofloxacin): oral cavity, urinary tract and skin; 2.5 mg/kg po q12h; do not use in young, growing pets due to possible damage to growing cartilage, may also cause GI distress.

Cephalexin: urinary tract, skin and respiratory tract; 22-33 mg/kg po q12h; limited side effects.

Clavamox (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid): oral cavity, respiratory tract, urinary tract and skin; 13.75 mg/kg po q12h; limited side effects.

Doxycycline: mycoplasma and spirochetes (including the Lyme disease organism – Borrelia burgdorferi); 5 mg/kg (loading dose), then 2.5 mg/kg po q12h; do not use in pregnant animals or young animals with developing teeth; administer water to pets after oral dosing.

Sulfatrim (Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim): urinary tract and skin; 15-30 mg/kg po q12-24h; GI distress, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (“dry eye”) with long term treatment, Doberman Pinschers may be more susceptible to allergic reactions.
(NOTE: There are many other indications, common dosages (with variable routes of administration) and possible side effects which are not listed. Please always consult your veterinarian.)

Abbreviations: mg=milligrams; kg=kilograms; po=per os (by mouth); q=every; h=hours

Antifungals

DRUG: PURPOSE; DOSE; SIDE EFFECTS

Griseofulvin: fungal infections; 25 mg/kg po q12h; do not use in pregnant pets, GI upsets.

Ketoconazole: fungal infections; 5-20 mg/kg po q12h; do not use in pregnant pets, GI upsets.

Itraconazole: fungal infections; 5-10 mg/kg po q12h; do not use in pregnant pets, GI upsets.

(NOTE: There are many other indications, common dosages (with variable routes of administration) and possible side effects which are not listed. Please always consult your veterinarian.)

Abbreviations: mg=milligrams; kg=kilograms; po=per os (by mouth); q=every; h=hours

Anti-Inflammatories

DRUG: PURPOSE; DOSE; SIDE EFFECTS

Buffered aspirin: pain from inflammation; 10-20 mg/kg po q12h; GI bleeding, ulcers.

Carprofen: pain from inflammation (eg. osteoarthritis); 2.2 mg/kg po q12h; anorexia, liver changes with long term usage in some individuals. DO NOT use in dehydrated pets, those with liver, kidney or cardiovascular disease or concomitant with corticosteroids.

Deracoxib: pain from inflammation (eg. osteoarthritis); 1-2 mg/kg po q24h; anorexia. DO NOT use in dehydrated pets, those with liver, kidney or cardiovascular disease or concomitant with corticosteroids.

Etodolac: pain from inflammation (eg. osteoarthritis); 10-15 mg/kg po q24h; anorexia. DO NOT use in dehydrated pets, those with liver, kidney or cardiovascular disease or concomitant with corticosteroids.

Prednisolone: various inflammatory and immune mediated disorders; 0.1-1 mg/kg po (every other day for long term); GI upset, over usage can result in Cushing’s disease.
(NOTE: There are many other indications, common dosages (with variable routes of administration) and possible side effects which are not listed. Please always consult your veterinarian.)

Oclacitinib: control pruritis associated with allergic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis in dogs at least 12 months of age; (0.4-0.6 mg/kg) po twice a day for 14 days and then once daily thereafter for maintenance. Do not use in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs. Most common side effects are vomiting and diarrhea. This drug has been used safely with many medications and vaccines.

Abbreviations: mg=milligrams; kg=kilograms; po=per os (by mouth); q=every; h=hours

Anti-Parasitics

DRUG: PURPOSE; DOSE; SIDE EFFECTS

Afoxolaner: fleas and ticks (dogs > 8 weeks of age and > 4 lbs); 2.5 mg/kg po q30d; vomiting, anorexia.

Fenbendazole: whipworms, roundworms, hookworms (dogs and cats > 2 weeks of age); 50 mg/kg po q24h for 3 days in a row (repeat in 3 weeks and 3 months); vomiting.

Fipronil: fleas and ticks (dogs and cats > 8 weeks of age); topical-follow package instructions; redness at application site.

Fluralaner: fleas and ticks (dogs and cats > 6 months of age); dogs-25 mg/kg po q90d, cats-topical q90d; vomiting and anorexia.

Imidacloprid: fleas (dogs > 7 weeks of age and cats > 8 weeks of age); topical-follow package instructions; redness at application site.

Ivermectin: heartworm prevention, ear mites (dogs and cats > 6 weeks of age); 0.006 mg/kg po q30d, (for heartworm prevention); depression and ataxia.

Lime sulfur: mange mites (dogs and cats > 4 weeks of age); topical application per instructions 1-2 times per week as needed; limited side effects.

Lufenuron: fleas (dogs and cats > 6 weeks of age); 10 mg/kg (dogs), 30 mg/kg (cats) po q30d; limited side effects.

Milbemycin: heartworm, roundworm, hookworm and whipworm prevention, demodectic mange (dogs and cats > 6 weeks of age); 0.5-1 mg/kg po q30d (q24h for 90+ days for demodectic mange); ataxia-rare.

Nitenpyram: fleas (dogs and cats > 4 weeks of age and > 2 lbs); 1.0 mg/kg po once (can repeat q24h as needed); limited side effects.

Pyrantel: roundworms and hookworms (dogs and cats > 2 weeks of age); 5-10 mg/kg po q24h (repeat in 3 weeks); vomiting.

Pyrethrins: fleas (and other ectoparasites); topical-follow package instructions; depression and ataxia.

Selamectin: heartworm prevention, fleas, ear mites, sarcoptic mange, some ticks (dogs > 6 weeks of age and cats > 8 weeks of age); topical-follow package instructions; digestive upset.

Sulfa drugs: coccidia; 15-30 mg/kg po q12h; GI upsets, Doberman Pinschers may be more susceptible to allergic reactions.

(NOTE: There are many other indications, common dosages (with variable routes of administration) and possible side effects which are not listed. Please always consult your veterinarian.)

Abbreviations: mg=milligrams; kg=kilograms; po=per os (by mouth); q=every; h=hours; d=days

Behaviour Medication

DRUG: PURPOSE; DOSE; SIDE EFFECTS

Alprazolam: anxiety and fear in dogs and cats; 0.05-0.25 mg/kg po q12-24h (dosages vary with use); sedation, changes in behaviour, contradictory responses.

Amitriptyline: separation anxiety in dogs and anxiety in cats, pruritis; 1-2 mg/kg po q12-24h; hyperexitability, GI upsets.

Buspirone: low grade fear/phobias and anxiety disorders in dogs and cats, urine spraying in cats; 1 mg/kg po q8-12h (dosages vary with use); nausea and anorexia.

Clomipramine: separation anxiety in dogs; 0.5-1 mg/kg po q24h; GI upsets.

Fluoxetine: aggression in dogs and cats; 1 mg/kg po q24h (dosages vary with use); anorexia, anxiety, GI upsets.

Selegiline (L-deprenyl): cognitive dysfunction in dogs and cats; 1 mg/kg po q24h; vomiting, diarrhea.

Trazodone: confinement tolerance/calmness in dogs; 1 mg/kg po q12h; lethargy, anxiety, aggression.

(NOTE: There are many other indications, common dosages (with variable routes of administration) and possible side effects which are not listed. Please always consult your veterinarian.)

Abbreviations: mg=milligrams; kg=kilograms; po=per os (by mouth); q=every; h=hours

Gastrointestinal Medication

DRUG: PURPOSE; DOSE; SIDE EFFECTS

Cisapride: promotility; 0.5 mg/kg po q8h (dog), 2.5-5 mg po q8h (cat); GI distress.

Colchicine: liver fibrosis; 0.025 mg/kg po q24h; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, death.

Cyproheptadine: appetite stimulant (cat); 2-4 mg po q12h; CNS depression.

Maropitant (Cerenia): antiemetic; 2 mg/kg po q24h or 1 mg/kg sq q24h; hypersalivation, CNS depression.

Metoclopramide: promotility, antiemetic; 0.1-0.5 mg/kg po q8h; constipation, frenzied behavior.

Sucralfate: upper GI ulcers; 0.25-1 gram po q8h; constipation.

Ursodeoxycholic acid (Actigall): hepatic inflammation; 2.5-7.5 mg/kg po q12h (dog); diarrhea.

(NOTE: There are many other indications, common dosages (with variable routes of administration) and possible side effects which are not listed. Please always consult your veterinarian.)

Abbreviations: mg=milligrams; kg=kilograms; po=per os (by mouth); q=every; h=hours

Heart Medication

DRUG: PURPOSE; DOSE; SIDE EFFECTS

Clopidogrel: anti-coagulant (platelet aggregation inhibitor); 1-3 mg/kg po q24h (dosages vary with use); vomiting, bleeding.

Digoxin: slows and strengthens heart contractions; 0.0025-0.004 mg/kg po q12h (varies);arrhythmias.

Diltiazem: hypertension; 0.5-1.5 mg/kg po q8h; GI distress, heart block, hypotension.

Enalapril: vasodilator (heart disease, hypertension); 0.25-1 mg/kg po q12-24h; GI distress.

Furosemide: diuretic; 2.5-5 mg/kg po q12-24h; fluid/electrolyte abnormalities, weakness, restlessness.

Pimobendan: positive inotropic (strengthens heart contractions)and vasodilator; treat dilated cardiomyopathy and mitral valve insufficiency; 0.1-0.3 mg/kg po q12h; uncommon: polyuria, polydipsia, vomiting, diarrhea, inappetence.

Propranolol: slows heart (heart disease, hypertension); 0.44-1.1 mg/kg po q8h; depression.

Quinidine: ventricular arrhythmias; 6-16 mg/kg po q8h; GI distress, weakness.

Rivaroxaban: anti-coagulant; 0.9 mg/kg po q24h (dogs) and 2.5 mg q24h (cats); bleeding.

Spironolactone: diuretic; 2-4 mg po q12-24h; fluid/electrolyte abnormalities.

Thiazides: diuretic; 2-4 mg po q12-24h (hydrochlorothiazide), 20-40 mg/kg po q12-24h (chlorothiazide); fluid/electrolyte abnormalities.

(NOTE: There are many other indications, common dosages (with variable routes of administration) and possible side effects which are not listed. Please, always consult your veterinarian.)

Abbreviations: mg=milligrams; kg=kilograms; po=per os (by mouth); q=every; h=hours