Animals get sick too! Many people don’t realize that animals develop diseases such as high blood pressure, thyroid disorders, epilepsy and arthritis just like humans do. Keeping household pets healthy should be the goal of all pet owners! It is important to take your animal for annual vet check-ups to ensure they remain happy and healthy.
What happens if your pet gets sick?
If your pet develops strange behaviors or signs of illness, your animal should be taken to the veterinarian for a check-up. The veterinarian is the expert in diagnosing illness and disease in animals. Once they know what is wrong with the animal they may prescribe a medication to treat the condition.
Can’t I just use over-the-counter medications for my animal (e.g. give Tylenol to my cat or dog?)?
Never give your animal a medication without consulting a veterinarian or a pharmacist with veterinary medicine training. Each species metabolizes medications differently. So, medications that are safe in humans may not be safe in animals, and medications safe for a dog may not be safe for a cat! For example if your cat or dog is in pain, giving one regular strength acetaminophen (Tylenol) tablet could be toxic to the cat or dog.
How can Stafford Pharmacy help with your pets medication needs?
At Stafford Pharmacy our pharmacists have taken advanced training on veterinary medicine. If you have questions about your pet’s current medications, please feel free to ask us.
Can I have my pet’s prescription made at Stafford Pharmacy?
Hopefully! There are some medications that can only be ordered by a veterinarian, therefore we cannot meet every animals medication needs.
Do I need to take my pet to the vet before I can get a medication from the pharmacy?
Yes! For all medications dispensed for animals we require a prescription from a veterinarian. They are the experts at diagnosing your animal and we are the experts on medications!
What is the difference between medication for humans and medications for animals from Stafford Pharmacy?
At Stafford Pharmacy we are able to create custom dosage forms to meet the needs of all types of animals. For example, we can compound beef flavored liquid medications for dogs or tuna flavored for cats! We can also make medications in the form of flavored animal treats to make giving your pet his/her medication easier! There are many more unique dosage forms that we can prepare to specifically meet the needs of your pet whether it is a cat, dog, bird, reptile, rabbit, ferret etc.!
