Filling Your Pet's Prescriptions

In the January edition of DVM 360, there was a disturbing story: Oregon Veterinarians Tally Retail Pharmacists’ Mistakes. The article was about how the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association recently conducted a survey to determine how often mistakes are being madehappening when retail pharmacies fill veterinarian prescriptions. The alarming results show that these mistakes are not isolated incidents and have been observed by more than a third of veterinarians in the state.

Below is a list of some areas that were listed where veterinarians in Oregon are seeing problems:

1. Insulin substitutions
2. Thyroid drug dosage changes
3. Phenobarbital dosage changes
4. Ringworm treatment substitutions
5. Propylene glycol misinformation
6. Wrong drug dispensed
7. Incorrect dosages
8. Disregard for veterinarians’ instructions- no substitution means NO substitution for a reason!
9. Inappropriate client counseling (some side effects that people experience in human medicine do not apply to animals)

In one case, a vet prescribed propylene glycol for a dog with a hyperkeratotic nose problem. The pharmacist told the owner of the dog that the vet prescribed ethylene glycol (anitfreeze) and that it would kill her dog.

Obviously the owner didn’t get the medication and the dog went untreated until the vet called to check up on the dog.

The key to this post is not to knock retail pharmacists but to provide education to pet owners as more and more of them choose to have their pet's medication filled at retail stores over their veterinary office for various reasons.

• Educate yourself on your pet's medication.
• Be aware of what your pet's prescription is.
• If your veterinarian hand writes a prescription, write it down or make a copy of it so that you can compare it to the prescription of what was filled by the pharmacist. If your veterinarian calls it in for you, ask them what the prescription is and write it down.
• When you pick up your pet's medication, always double check it. Is it the same brand name of medication? Is it the same dose that your veterinarian prescribed?

Ideally, fill your prescriptions at your veterinarian's office. Not only will you be filling the prescription at a "pharmacy" that is educated about pets and medications, you will supporting your veterinary office as well. However if you do fill your prescriptions at a big box pharmacy and ever doubt anything, have questions, or the pharmacist wants to change your pet's prescription, please call your veterinarian and ask.

http://mybrownnewfies.com/2013/01/29/9-mistakes-that-are-being-made-when-retail-pharmacists-fill-veterinary-prescriptions/

All Vaccinations Are Not Created Equal

Vaccinations are a critical component of protecting animal health. This includes our cats and dogs as well as livestock and poultry in the food industry.

As a pet owner, you may think that all vaccinations are the same but this is not the case.  Today, vaccines are not created equal even when they offer protection against the same infectious disease. 

Cost is often a factor when veterinarians choose which vaccine brand and type to use. This often accounts for the difference in vaccination prices between veterinary hospitals.  At New Hartford Animal Hospital we only use the most effective vaccinations with state of the art technology.  Our vaccines may sometimes be more costly than other available vaccines, but at New Hartford Animal Hospital, we will not compromise when it concerns your pet’s health.  Our vaccination decisions are based on infectious disease risks for our specific upstate New York region.  Dogs in this area are at an increased risk for contracting lyme disease and leptospirosis.

Vaccinations given by breeders and in pet stores are often purchased by mail order or from farm stores not directly from the manufacturer like your veterinarian.  Many times they can be ineffective because they have not been properly handled, stored at the correct temperatures or administered properly.  Vaccinations need constant temperature refrigeration from the time they are manufactured until delivery into the animal.  They also must be administered properly.  Non-veterinary individuals are not always aware of these issues.

We’re proud to be able to offer our clients a guarantee on many of the vaccines we use at New Hartford Animal Hospital. This helps ensure that our patients are properly vaccinated and allows us to provide the best possible care—all at no additional charge. This guarantee reimburses you for diagnostic testing and treatment if we’ve currently vaccinated your pet for distemper, rabies, leptospirosis or lyme disease and your pet contracts one these diseases.

At New Hartford Animal Hospital, we understand the importance of providing high quality medicine for your pets. We are honored to help you keep your pet in good health and we take that very seriously.

              A healthy pet is a happy pet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

by Abby Regner, DVM, CVA

 

Deciding When to Say Good Bye

Euthanasia is something that most pet owners will face at some point in their lives. For many pets, their passing will be decided upon by their human caretaker. The time and date will be chosen in advance, not decided by “nature” or some higher power.       

Euthanasia is typically thought of as a choice between suffering and death and it can offer relief from pain that doesn't end. The level of pain is often used to assess whether an animal should be euthanized. Fortunately for many pets, palliative treatment is often exercised prior to euthanasia. Untreated or undertreated pain is epidemic among companion animals. Kevin Stafford, an authority on veterinary ethics, estimates that 10 million dogs in the United States suffer from osteoarthritis but that only a small fraction get treatment. The only treatment many arthritic dogs receive is euthanasia.

     

Why, then, are so many animals in pain? The reasons are largely cultural. Some veterinarians, particularly older ones, have been taught that animals don’t feel pain. To be sure, animal pain can be tricky to recognize and treat. Cats are notorious for their so-called stoicism, but dogs may not display pain in ways we easily see. As with humans, responses to pain vary. Effective pain management often requires trial and error with various types of drugs, as well as the use of non-drug therapies like weight management, controlled exercise, physical therapy, massage, acupuncture and nutritional supplements.

      

Quality-of-life assessments have been used within human end-of-life care. But this does not routinely exist in the veterinary profession. As it should in every veterinary hospital, we insist on quality of life assessments which include a discussion about lifestyle, behavior, and a thorough physical examination. Some of the things assessed include hurt, hunger, hydration, hygiene, happiness, and mobility.

 

One of the most troublesome moral challenges involves money. We could say that money shouldn’t matter when an animal’s life is in the balance, but this is neither realistic nor fair to pet owners. Beyond necessary pet care, every pet owner has the right to decide what they can afford and what they cannot. And most pet owners do not have pets just for the sake of having them. They truly care about their pets, incorporating them closely into their lives and often treating them as members of the family.   

 

Unfortunately, the love we feel for our animals can prolong their suffering. We may wait for our animal to “tell us they are ready,” but our love can make it hard to hear their cries. We may focus on caregiving, feeling vindicated when our pet shows interest in typical things like special treats. There is nothing wrong with this.

 

As your partner in pet health care, your veterinarian can help you decide when the time is right. No one but you and your family can make this choice. But having a resource, even attending a pet loss support group to prepare for that day, is something that will help with what many say is the one of most difiicult decisions you will have to make.

 

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/opinion/sunday/deciding-when-a-pet-has-suffered-enough.html?pagewanted=2&_r=0&ref=pets

Welcoming in the New Year!

Who doesn't enjoy the feeling of a "fresh start"? Refocusing on the new year brings hope and resolve to live better in the New Year. Here are some ideas to help enhance you and your pet's health and add some fun to your lives as well.

1) Exercise Regular exercise has the obvious health benefits, but it also is a great time to bond with our pets. A simple daily walk helps a dog learn proper manners, provides some good quality time, and does wonders for the human counterpart, too! Keeping pets at the proper body weight reduces the risk of heart and joint problems, diabetes, and a host of other poor health conditions.

2) Health Check Up A regular visit to your veterinarian is the best way to stay ahead of potential problems. Annual or biannual examinations of teeth, heart/lungs, and body condition overall will be less costly than waiting for a problem to develop.  Having a good "baseline" of information about your pet also gives your veterinarian something to compare against which helps determine more quickly exactly what is wrong with your pet.

3) Good Nutrition Like humans, pets who eat poor quality food just don't have the health reserves that those that eat a good balanced diet do. Poor skin, hair coat, muscle tone, and obesity problems can be a result of a poor diet. Also, pets are not humans -- a diet rich in table scraps is not a healthy one, and can lead to problems such as obesity and pancreatitis.

4) Safety Keeping pets safe is something most pet owners take for granted. However, take a moment to assess the toxic chemicals used in your house and yard. If toxins such as rodent poisons are used, can your pet access the rodents? Think about enclosures for pets -- is the fencing secure? Can your pet get caught or hooked up on the fence, a tree, etc. and choke or be stuck out in the weather when you are away?

5) Information Being informed is the best way to keep track of our pet's health and well being. If possible, keep a medical log of your pet's vet visits, medications, special needs, etc. to help track your pet's medical history. Knowing what is normal and not normal for your particular pet will assist your veterinarian in helping to figure out what is wrong in the case of illness.

The Internet is a wealth of information, but caution is advised when seeking out a diagnosis or medical assistance via the web. Just as in real life, there is good information and bad information out there. The only way to get an answer/diagnosis is through a thorough physical examination, review of medical history, and possible lab work performed by your veterinarian.

6) Volunteer There are thousands of animals in need of help each day. This concept can be overwhelming for many people. Every little bit helps, though. Financial donations, donations of supplies or your time to a local shelter or rescue group is always appreciated and real live animals are being helped by your generosity.

7) Be a Voice Speak up when you notice neglected or abused pets in your neighborhood. This isn't pleasant but if you can help even one animal escape a painful life, it is worth it. Shelters and rescue groups will thank you and most will accept an anonymous tip to help animals in need.

Resolutions may not be easy but they help us live better and more fulfilling lives in the long run. Good luck in 2013!

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/pethealthinsurance/a/NewYearRes_2.htm