Sunday, October 28, 2012

Pet Medicines When To Self Medicate Or When To Visit The Vet

By Pauline E Medway


It is no surprise that the UK is known as a nation of pet lovers with 1 in every 2 Brits owning an animal. It is estimated that the UK pet medicine market is valued at over 200 million per year. With recent regulatory changes in the UK pet medicine market many more animal health products can be sold from the pharmacy. More often than not pet owners are unaware of their rights when it comes to obtaining medicines for their fury friend.

Authorised veterinary medicines are organised into four classes. The regulations were established in 2005, the categories are as follows:

POM-V is the category of pet medicines that have numerous statutory requirements. It is required that the animal is subjected to a thorough clinical assessment before issuance of a prescription. The diagnosis must be carried out by a qualified surgeon or vet.

Another branch of animal drugs is the POM-VPS. Prescription of the medicines requires that any qualified professional conduct the diagnosis of an animal illness. It is not necessary to have a clinical assessment, but all drugs administered must not be disastrous to the health of the animal.

NFA-VPS are medicines supplied by a pharmacist or a vet. However, any other professional in the field of animal health science can distribute and prescribe, as well.The drugs are for animals meant to offer companion to human beings.

AVM-GSL category comprises of drugs that have the least statutory requirements. The medicines are sometimes referred to as over the counter drugs. They are general use drugs but this should not imply accuracy in prescription be ignored.

Flea and tick mitigation

It is advisable that you offer full mitigation to your fury friends against parasites such as fleas and ticks. Negligence to this requirement has contributed enormously to pet infestation. About 25% of dogs and 50% of cats are affected based on annual statistics. Presence of such parasites on an animal body is an indicator that there could be more of them concealing under the cushions and various upholstery within the house. As such, treatment of all soft furnishings within a homestead is indispensable if to free pets of fleas and ticks completely.

Regular treatment of fleas is important to ensuring promising healths for animals at all times. Typically four to five weeks intervals are ideal to achieving the purpose. Shampoos, flea collars, spot on drops and powders are some of the strategies to use when regular treating. Vacuuming, pet bedding washing and flea sprays give exclusive results when together with shampoos and the other options. In fact, the combination can end up preventing against ticks, as well.

For very young animals less the 12 weeks old certain treatments are not recommended. You can physically remove fleas with a headlice comb available at your local pharmacy.

Dual treatments can protect against the risks from ticks as well which carry Lyme disease and can cause serious illness.

Worming treatments

Prevention of only external attack by ticks and fleas does not suffice to guarantee your animal a sturdy health. Internal treatment of infections caused by intestinal parasites, roundworms and tapeworms, is necessary for maximum protection. De-worming is ideal when done in every 3 months.

Multi purpose wormier is a very effective way of destroying the internal parasites in your animals. They can curb both the menace of roundworms and tapeworms and thus are economical for use. The drugs are available in the form of tablets, granules and others in liquid form.

Prevention of eye complications

Eye problems in your pets are a frequent occurrence but thankfully normally they are picked up quite quickly. Symptoms range from mild irritation, discharge, to redness and cloudiness. Three of the most common eye diseases in dogs are corneal abrasions, dry eye and glaucoma. It may be that the cause is something simple but it is very important that you see a vet as soon as possible. When it comes to eye problems any delay could result in serious complications such as blindness or eye loss.

Ear care

Cleaning the ears of the animals to avoid infections is an obligatory role to caring pet owners. If not cleaned, the hairy nature of the ears will accumulate and harbour infections. Seeking advice from a vet about the right procedure of removing accumulated dust in the ears is essential to avoid piercing the eardrum and cutting the ear canal.

Alimentary canal complications

There are several problems common to the alimentary canal of your pet. They include diarrhoea, appetite loss, constipation and difficulty in engulfing food. Such conditions can cause weight loss, dehydration and exhaustion of the animal. Some conditions can dissipate on their own without any efforts of a vet.

Exercises in body fitness

Your pet can benefit from a healthy lifestyle just as you can. Ensure you pet is eating healthily and getting plenty or exercise. Together with good hygiene this can prevent problems from occurring in the first place. Keeping you pet healthy will also protect you and your family from conditions that can be transferred to humans including roundworm and tapeworm that infect cats and dogs.




About the Author:



No comments: