Animal medicines

Although not formulated specifically for veterinary use, Bepanthen cream can be used on dogs in certain circumstances. This product is an ointment which is mainly used to treat minor skin injuries such as sunburn. For humans, it is also used to help skin repair after various types of damage. It binds to hair...

Cats are unique animals with specific metabolic pathways and physiological characteristics that differ from those of other animal species. Therefore, certain medications that are safe for humans or other animals may be toxic to cats and may cause serious or even fatal consequences. Knowing the potential dangers...

Also known as dipyrone, metamizole is an analgesic drug which is used to treat various health issues in human medicine. In addition to being a painkiller, it is also used for its anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic effects. These properties have led to its use in various treatments, especially those...

Apoquel is the brand name of a veterinary drug called oclacitinib, which is commonly used to treat dermatological conditions such as dermatitis. Dermatitis is the most common sign of skin diseases in both cats and dogs and can be caused by various underlying diseases. In recent years, studies have been conducted...

Vomiting is a non-specific symptom which is associated with an extensive list of problems. These range from temporary nausea to life-threatening illness. Various drugs can be used to treat the underlying causes, resulting in the reduction of symptoms, including vomiting. Metoclopramide is a drug which is...

Broadline is a veterinary drug for the treatment of cats with a mixed infestation of internal and external parasites or at risk of such infestation. In other words, it is an all-in-one parasite treatment for cats that kills fleas, ticks, roundworms, and tapeworms. It is applied topically, directly on the skin...

Itraconazole is an antifungal drug, meaning it is used for treating fungal infections. The most common types of fungal infections in dogs are yeast infections and dermatophytosis, the latter also known as ringworm. These fungal infections need to be diagnosed by a veterinarian who will prescribe the correct...

Cephalexin is an antibiotic that is used in both human and veterinary medicine, although usually it is less common in the latter. Unfortunately, use of antibiotics can lead to resistance in the organism of the animal, so it is important we only use this drug under strict veterinary guidance. There are also...

Especially when they are young kittens, the large eyes of cats are one of their most beautiful features. Unfortunately, they are also one of their most vulnerable. Various pathologies can affect the eye and they are a good indicator of the general health and well-being of a cat. They can also point to...

Povidone iodine, widely known by its brand name Betadine, was introduced to the market in 1955. Betadine is an essential product in every medicine cabinet in most households around the world. It is used to treat minor wounds and superficial cuts, as well as minor burns or abrasions. But have you ever wondered...

Polaramine is an antihistamine commonly used in human medicine. Therefore, it is not surprising that we find it in the medicine cabinets of many households. This may tempt some caregivers to use it on their dogs to treat allergies, which can lead to negative consequences. Dogs should only be given it...

Ivermectin is a long-established antiparasitic used for various purposes in different species of animals such as dogs, cats, cattle, and even humans. Ivermectin is also commonly prescribed for rabbits. It is considered an endoparasitic because it fights multiple microorganisms, both external and internal....

Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), also known as mayflower, purple passionflower, true passionflower, wild apricot, and wild passion vine, is a fast-growing perennial vine with climbing or drooping stems. It is grown commercially in tropical and subtropical areas for its sweet, seed-bearing fruit,...

Fipronil (brand names: Frontline®, Barricade®, Easyspot® and many others) is a broad-spectrum insecticide used to control insects such as fleas, lice, ticks, cockroaches, and mites. Cats can be treated with it for external parasites and for allergic dermatitis after flea bites starting at the age of two...

Povidone-iodine is commonly sold under the brand name Betadine®. It is a drug marketed as an antiseptic for superficial wounds. It has a broad antimicrobial spectrum, being effective against various viruses, protozoa, spores, fungi, and gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. This microbicidal effect...

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...

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...

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....

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...