Animal medicines

Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone used to treat external parasites in many mammals. Ivermectin is especially useful for eliminating small parasites in guinea pigs, such as fleas, lice, and mites. As every guinea pig owner knows, skin diseases are one of the most common health problems in guinea pigs....

Procox® is an antiparasitic drug containing two active ingredients, emodepside and toltrazuril. It is a product marketed for dogs, but it has also been shown to be an effective dewormer in cats. Procox® is used to treat cats that are infested with two types of parasites at the same time, roundworms and...

Chlorhexidine is a disinfectant and antiseptic which is used in both human and veterinary medicine. It is considered safe and is commonly used for disinfection of wounds, lesions, erosions, and skin disorders such as feline acne, certain infections, and pododermatitis. It is also used as a complement to...

Meloxicam, marketed under the brand names Metacam®, Loxicom®, OroCAM®, and Rheumocam, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug commonly used in veterinary medicine to treat pain and inflammation associated with rheumatic diseases and osteoarthritis. In some cases, it is also used to treat pain associated...

Selamectin is a safe antiparasitic for rabbits and very useful to kill external parasites such as fleas, lice or mites. It is very similar structurally to the more-commonly-known ivermectin. The dose will depend on the type of parasitization in our rabbit and the extent of its progress. The active ingredient of...

Famciclovir is a prodrug, meaning it's a drug that becomes pharmacologically active once metabolized. After metabolism, famciclovir is transformed into the active metabolite penciclovir. The action of this metabolized prodrug works by inhibiting viral replication of viral nucleic acid. For this reason, it...

Gastrointestinal diseases are relatively common in felines. They can be accompanied by various symptoms, all of which need to be monitored by their caregivers. Constipation is a digestive problem which can go unnoticed by cat guardians, especially if they do not check their litter regularly. The underlying...

Ketoconazole is an antifungal used in cats to eliminate mycosis, i.e. an infection caused by fungi. Specifically, it fights mycosis which affects the skin, bones and even systemic infections. The fungi which it counteracts are numerous, including species as varied as dermatophytes responsible for ringworm,...

Famotidine is a medication from the group of drugs known as H2 receptor antagonists. H2 receptors allow the binding of histamine to induce gastric acid secretion. By blocking these receptors, histamine limits its binding and, in turn, the secretion of gastric acids. This is useful when an organism is producing...

Commonly sold under the brand name Zantac, ranitidine is a drug that inhibits gastric acid secretion in cats. This action is carried out by binding to the H2 receptors in the stomach which are responsible for the release of this acid. For this reason, it is used to treat problems related to stomach...

Omeprazole is an active ingredient from the group of stomach proton pump inhibitors. It is responsible for reducing the production of gastric acid and controlling disorders associated with gastric hypersecretion in cats. You may be more familiar with it in human medicine as it is on the World Health Organization's...

Like all vitamins, B group vitamins are essential micronutrients for a dog’s organism. A good quality diet is the best way to ensure the correct supply of vitamin B for dogs, but there are situations in which deficiencies can occur, causing different symptoms, depending on which B vitamin is missing. In...

Onsior is the commercial name for robenacoxib, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This drug is used to control inflammation and pain in dogs and cats. Like any other drug, it has benefits and possible side effects. This is why only a veterinarian can prescribe this medication and determine...

Diazepam is a medicine that affects the central nervous system. It's usually used as a sedative, muscle-relaxant or anti-anxiety medicine for dogs. If your dog is going through some health issues and your vet has recommended using diazepam, this is the perfect article for you. In this AnimalWised article...

Furosemide for dogs is one of the most commonly prescribed diuretics for dogs which favors the elimination of liquids. This diuretic can only be prescribed and administered to a dog following strict veterinary control. Self-medicated Furosemide is never advisable, as if not administered correctly, it...

Ivermectin is a common antiparasitic drug for cats, dogs, and other animals. Currently, however, there are other products which have been proven safer for cats. If you are wondering, is ivermectin safe for cats? You’ve come to the right place. Here at AnimalWised we aim to discuss everything you need to...

Acetylcysteine is a drug that some of us may be aware of as a treatment for paracetamol overdose. This is because it provides more of the compound glutathione which helps metabolize the paracetamol safely and protect the liver. While dogs can be given acetylcysteine for paracetamol overdose, it is more commonly...

The first thing you need to know when purchasing cough syrup for dogs is that we cannot use those products formulated for humans without strict veterinary prescription. This applies to both prescription-only and over-the-counter medications. Many ingredients used in cough syrups are not suitable for dogs,...

Most commonly sold under the name Minipress, prazosin is an antihypertensive drug which is used to reduce high blood pressure levels. Marketed for human use, it can be prescribed off-label by veterinarians for use in canines. Prazosin acts as an antagonist of alpha-adrenergic receptors, reducing blood...

Commonly sold under the trade name Zeniquin, marbofloxacin is an antibiotic in the group of broad-spectrum antibiotics known as fluoroquinolones. These are used to treat infections caused by various bacteria, working by inhibiting certain enzymes which the bacteria need to replicate. Skin and other soft tissue...

Ciprofloxacin is a type of fluoroquinolone antibiotic which is used as a broad-spectrum treatment for a range of bacterial infections. While it is not usually marketed directly for veterinary use, many veterinarians will administer ciprofloxacin for dogs in off-label prescriptions. The reason is it not...

Urinary incontinence medications are used to stop the involuntary leakage of urine from the genitourinary tract. Different types of canine incontinence drugs are necessitated by the various causes of this health issue in dogs. An animal may be unable to control their urine flow due to both neurogenic and non-neurogenic...

Propalin is a medication used in veterinary medicine to relieve urinary incontinence. Its active ingredient is phenylpropanolamine hydrochloride (PPA), a sympathomimetic agent which acts to strengthen the urethral sphincter and prevent urine leakage. A weakened urethral sphincter is commonly the result of...

Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid is an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by a wide variety of bacteria, both gram-positive and gram-negative. It is commonly used in human medicine where it is sold under the trade name Augmentin, among others. In veterinary medicine, it is prepared in different formulations...

Augmentin is a drug that combines amoxicillin and clavulanic acid to create an antibiotic treatment for various bacterial infections. While these active ingredients are used in both human and veterinary medicine, it is vital to know that we cannot give the human preparation to dogs. Doing so could cause...

Metacam is the trade name of the drug whose active ingredient is meloxicam. This compounds belongs to the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that provides analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects. This menas the uses of Metacam for cats include treating postoperative pain,...

Hydrogen peroxide is a widely used antiseptic that is commonly administered to treat minor injuries or other health problems in humans. It is often used topically, but can be used to treat ear infections and other ailments. Generally speaking, a dog's skin is more sensitive than our own. Even in diluted...

Chlorambucil is the active compound which is used for certain chemotherapy drugs. It is used in both human and veterinary medicine. As a chemotherapy drug, it is mainly used to treat cancers. Its action is as an alkylation agent, meaning it attaches itself to DNA in cancer cells and prevents their formation....

Sedation often raises many questions and concerns for dog owners, yet it is sometimes necessary to help our dogs avoid pain or stress during certain procedures. In veterinary clinics, sedation is commonly used for minor surgeries, wound care, dental cleanings, and diagnostic tests. Rest assured, veterinary...

Clindamycin is a type of antibiotic which is used to treat various bacterial infections. It is used in both human and veterinary medicine. It is a prescription-only drug, meaning that it can only be given to an animal with express permission from a qualified veterinarian. Giving any drug to an animal...

When we speak of side effects of anesthesia in dogs, we might think of worrying consequences which might occur due to reactions or complications. It is first important to note that certain side effects of anesthesia are completely normal and will not threaten the dog's health in the long term. For example,...

Miconazole for dogs is the active ingredient of certain medications which is classified as an antifungal. It is considered a fungistatic and fingicidal drug which acts on fungi and yeasts which can proliferate in various tissues of the canine body. Although minimal, research suggests there is also some...

We think of medications being used to counter the effects of a disease or illness, but it is important to remember they can also be administered for preventive purposes. Sucralfate is a drug with a protective effect for the gastrointestinal system. It can be prescribed both preventively or therapeutically,...

Albendazole is a product with an antiparasitic effect, meaning it can be used to treat various parasites which can infest dogs. First introduced in the 1970s, it is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Despite this fact, it is not widely used in all markets. This appears to be...

Doxycycline is an antibiotic widely used in human medicine which is on the Word Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. Its usage is also commonly prescribed in veterinary medicine as it is seen as an effective drug. This does not mean we can give human-prescribed doxycycline to cats. It is...

If you are giving carprofen to your dog, it should only ever be under strict veterinary control. Carprofen is not an over-the-counter drug, so it will require prescription from a veterinarian. One reason for this is due to the strength of the medication which is used to treat various ailments resulting...

Some of us might be aware that activated charcoal can be a good addition to any first aid kit. This is due to its adsorptive properties which can be useful in an emergency situation. Specifically, it works to prevent toxins from entering the dog's nervous system in the case of poisoning. It is increasingly...

Ambroxol is a drug with a mucolytic and expectorant effect. This means can be used to treat pathologies that cause a large amount of thick mucus as it can be difficult to eliminate it. Some precautions must be taken into account for its correct use in dogs. For this reason, it is very important that we only...

Dogs suffer from inflammatory issues, just as we humans do. Unfortunately, much of the medication we take to ease pain and reduce inflammation is unsuitable for dogs. This includes some of the most commonly used medicines such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. It is for this reason veterinary pharmacologists...

Onsior canine treatment is an anti-inflammatory analgesic medication which is used to alleviate pain and inflammation. It is from the coxib family of medications, a type of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), also known as a COX-2 inhibitor. While we commonly know it as Onsior, this is a trade...

Ebastine is a drug that is included within the group known as antihistamines. These drugs are very commonly used in human medicine and are widely used to treat allergy symptoms. They are common in many household medicine cabinets, but are incredibly varied in their action. This is dependent on their active...

Famotidine is a drug that is also commonly used in human medicine. While it will depend on the country of residence, some formulations can be purchased over the counter. Many still require prescription. One of the most common brands which uses famotidine as the main active ingredient is Pepcid. With such...

Gabapentin, sold under the brand name Neurontin® and others, is an anticonvulsant used primarily to treat partial seizures and neuropathic pain. It is usually used as an antiepileptic in dogs when conventional treatment does not produce the expected results, as well as to improve the treatment of cancer,...

There are many drugs which are used in both veterinary in human medicine, but trilostane has a rare distinction. While it was previously used in human medicine in the USA, it has been withdrawn from such purposes. Since this withdrawal, it has been approved for use in veterinary medicine. Used mainly...

Theophylline is an alkaloid of the methylxanthine family. Due to its bronchodilator effect, it is used to treat various respiratory diseases in dogs. Although it is an effective drug for this purpose, it has a narrow therapeutic index range, meaning administration at the wrong dose can occur easily....

Although it can be fairly common, vomiting in dogs should be cause for concern with any responsible dog guardian. This is especially important when it persists for more than 24 hours and when we see other worrying clinical signs. In these cases, we need to take the dog to the veterinarian. Antiemetic drugs...

Canine phenobarbital is an antiepileptic drug that belongs to the group known as barbiturates. Due to its high efficacy, it is considered the first drug of choice to treat seizures caused by epilepsy in dogs. Its administration can cause the appearance of various adverse reactions, leading to a more intensive...

Selegiline, also known as L-deprenyl and marketed under the brand names Eldepryl and Emsam, among others, is a drug used in humans to treat Parkinson's disease and major depressive disorder. However, it is also approved as a veterinary drug for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction syndrome in geriatric...

Tobramycin is an antibiotic drug which is a type of aminoglycoside. This means it contains amino acids as part of its structure. It is sold under various brand names, with Tobrex being one of the most common. While is is both a broad-spectrum antibiotic and on the World Health Organization's List of...

Carprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It has the potential to inhibit cyclooxygenase I and II enzymes, with greater potential to inhibit the latter. The purpose of this inhibition is to limit the risk of kidney, gastrointestinal and liver damage by mediating inflammation, pain and fever....