Drug compounding for pets is a convenient, and sometimes much needed, service. It’s the process of combining, mixing, and otherwise alternating original ingredients and/or appearance of medication.
As you most likely know by now, pets don’t always comply, especially when it comes to taking new foods (or shhh… medicine). So, drug compounding for pets comes in real handy. Compounded drugs are typically made by pharmacists, like your friends here, or veterinarians.
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) permits compounding of animal drugs when the source of the active ingredient is a finished FDA-approved drug.
Benefits of Compounding Pet Medication
Normally, you go to the vet when your pet has an ailment. But, you may be prescribed a drug that you’re unsure about. Even worse, you may be prescribed a medication your pet is definitely unsure of and just won’t take.
In other scenarios, some medications are no longer available or your pet is not compliant with the suggested method of administration. What do you do? Well, you seek the services of a compounding pharmacy! Consider the benefits.
We customize medications for a range of reasons:
- Maybe your pet just won’t accept medication any other way but through their stomach. So, we can concoct a chewable pet treat, making the process simple and painless.
- Maybe your pet is large or small, and the suggested commercial dose isn’t working for them. We can dial-in the right dosage for your pet.
- Maybe your pet is diabetic. We’re ready to serve-up sugar-free versions of just about any medication your pet needs.
- Plenty of pets won’t be pleaded with, fooled, or spoiled into taking meds orally. Therefore, our transdermal gels are gently rubbed into the skin.
Compounded Pet Medications – FAQs
Our pet pharmacy gets a wide variety of questions about compounded pet meds. Below, we answer several of the most frequently asked questions.
What is compounding?
Compounding is the act of manipulating a drug beyond what’s indicated on its label. Meds are sometimes manipulated to
meet the custom medical needs of pets. “Manipulation” may include mixing, diluting, flavoring, or changing form.
Examples of compounding include:
- Mixing two injectable drugs in the same syringe
- Creating an oral suspension from crushed tablets or an injectable solution
- Adding flavoring to a commercially available drug
- Creating a transdermal gel for a drug typically taken through other routes
- Mixing two solutions for instilling into the ear
What animals do you help?
Dogs, cats, reptiles, horses, and any non-food species of animal
Are you servicing the vet, pet owner, or both?
Both
What compounds do you make?
We make many compounds 🙂
Some of the more common: trilostane, potassium iodide, ketotifin, fluoxitine, methimazole, lansoprazole, trazodone.
How do you make compounds tasty for pets?
We make a lot of animal mediations in a tasty flavor like chicken, tuna, or beef suspension. Things like antibiotics or anti-inflammatories can be made palatable too! Read our tips on giving your pets medication.
Other than orally, what are other ways to administer pet medication?
We can prepare pet medication in a form where the animal does not have to swallow.
Transdermal delivery of medication allows owners to administer medications noninvasively. A measured amount (usually 0.1 ml, about half the size of a pea) of a specially prepared gel is applied to a hairless area inside the tip of the ear.
The special gel allows the drug to be absorbed through the skin. This procedure is painless, tasteless and simple. Your pet may not even know he or she is getting medication. This can lead to better patient compliance and less owner frustration.
How can you adjust dosage?
A common issue is that commercial pet medications may be available in only one size or strength. For example, one tablet may be too large to give to a cat, but a large dog may need several tablets to ensure the correct dose. The Compounding Pharmacy of America can create a medication that contains the most appropriate dose required for each animal.
What happens if my pet needs medication that is not typically manufactured by drug companies?
Often, an animal will need a medication that is not typically manufactured by drug companies. Perhaps a veterinary formulation is unavailable, and, for one reason or another, the human preparation just won’t do. Our veterinary compounding pharmacy can obtain the necessary pharmaceutical-grade materials and use them to compound individualized dosage forms based on your pet’s needs.
Do you have sterile and ophthalmic pet medications available?
Yes, our facility is equipped to handle and create sterile and ophthalmic (eye) solutions for your pet prescriptions.
What kind of equipment does your facility use to create my pet medicine?
Our pet compounding pharmacy maintains an array of state-of-the-art equipment, including computerized autoclave, microprocessor-controlled convection oven, pH meters and many other tools and devices.
What is a bulk substance?
A “bulk drug substance” is a substance used to make a drug that becomes an active ingredient in the finished dosage form of the drug.
How do I get compounding pet medicine in my state?
In some cases, a veterinarian will have their own compounding facility and can take care of the process for you. This is true in certain states. Otherwise, your vet can write the pet prescription and then refer you to a compounding pharmacy.
Is it possible to get compounded pet medication for my pet without a prescription?
No. A lawful veterinary compounding pharmacy is only allowed to give out medication according to a veterinarian’s prescription. If you want to get compounded pet medication, please discuss obtaining a prescription with your pet’s veterinarian.
Can I take my pet’s prescribed compounded medication and administer it to another pet I own?
Never, in any circumstance, administer one pet’s medication to another. The only exception would be if your veterinarian has explicitly directed you to do so.
Compounded medications are custom-tailored to your pet’s needs, and administering it to another pet could be harmful, even if they are the same species. Likewise, pet medications are not created for humans.
If you find yourself needing compounded medication for another pet, please consult your veterinarian’s office to discuss that pet’s needs.
Can you compound pet allergy medications?
How to Get Compounded Pet Meds
Our compounding pharmacists are standing by to concoct a pet medication that you can administer easily and that will ease his or her condition. Talk to a veterinarian about your pet’s ailment, get a written prescription and then contact us if we can customize the medication in any way to your pet’s needs and preferences.
If you have any questions about pet medications in the meantime, fill out our online contact form to get expert advice from a licensed compounding pharmacist.
Contact The Compounding Pharmacy
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