Vaccinations and Drug prescriptions

DRUG REACTIONS

As a veterinarian, dispensing prescription / medication is part of our responsibility to our patients and clients. We do not wish to do more harm to our patients with these medications that we dispense but like what all drugs can do to the body, adverse reactions can occur.  

“drug reaction includes the desired effect, the adverse reaction, and includes the lack of effect upon usage”

We use certain medications to address the specific need and condition of the pet.  Below are some of the drugs used in veterinary medicine. I have dispensed these drugs and I can safely say their effectiveness. It is all about weighing the benefits and risks, the severity, and the appropriateness of the drug to the condition.

Some medications can be given to a specific age group.  Quinolone antibiotic group are recommended to be given to adult pets as much as possible.

Some medications are not allowed to be given to a specific breed.  Collie breed of dogs are sensitive to avermectin group.

Some drugs can be rendered useless when combined with calcium which affects absorption.  Doxycycline can be rendered useless when given in combination with Milk.

Some drugs are not recommended to be used in combination.  Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs are not recommended to go with Corticosteroids

Some drugs are not safe for specific species.  Rabbits are very sensitive animals to antibiotics

Some drugs are specific to a particular disease.  Doxycycline is the antibiotic of choice in the treatment of Ehrlichiosis in dogs.

As you can see all drugs have possible reactions, as shown on the table.  These drugs listed below are just some of the commonly prescribed and have helped a lot of patients, as far as I can tell.

 Some of the drugs used in Veterinary Medicine.

DRUG NAME	CLASS	DESCRIPTION	REACTIONS OBSERVED IN PETS	Usage in Vetmed
Amoxicillin Clavulanic	Antibiotic	Liquid and tablets are available	Allergic reactions are possible. Usual reaction is diarrhea when given orally	Well tolerated antibiotic.
Metoclopramide	Anti-emetic	Liquid, tablet, injectables	restlessness and disorientation	Treatment and prevention of vomiting
Carpofen	NSAID	Tablet and injectable	Vomiting and diarrhea.	Given to address pain and inflammation. All NSAID are given after meals
Pyrantel	Deworming	Paste and tablets	vomiting and diarrhea	Initial dewormer used for young cats and dogs
Griseofulvin	Anti-fungal	Tablets	Vomiting and diarrhea can occur	Should be administered with food to increase absorption
Furosemide	Diuretics	Tablets and injectables	Diuresis	Treatment of edema
Prednisolone	Steroids	Tablets	Expected and unavoidable side-effects can happen	Used for its immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties

Good communication is the key

When a diagnosis is made. The treatment plan will be the next to be discussed with the fur-parent.  I always encourage the client to be more pro-active on their pets' medication. They have to know "Why are we giving this medication instead of the other one". Discuss what we want to see during the medication period.  All instructions must be documented as much as possible to avoid confusion or poor compliance.

All drug reactions observed in pets must be 

reported to the veterinarian

Once you have seen your pets have started acting strangely during the course of medication, it is best to call your attending veterinarian.  Option usually taken to rule out drug induced vomition is to stop medication.  The condition usually resolves quickly once the drug in question is discontinued. Best to bring your pet for re-evaluation.

PET VACCINATIONS

                                       

Vaccine reactions. It does happen.  We want the good response.  We get the full benefit of vaccinations when it is given at the right time. There is an established protocols for pet vaccinations that has to be observed.  

Do not expect a "quick" protection with one vaccination.  

    Our pets usually need around 5-7 days to develop it's immune system.  Before any vaccination, it is mandatory for the veterinarian to check your pet.  Taking history will be a big help in making sure your pet will be fit to undertake the program.

Some of the vaccine reactions that are commonly seen are:

1.) Increase in body temperature - this is considered a normal response in vaccinations.  

2.) Swelling at injection site - mild tenderness at vaccination site is normal

3.) Decrease in activity within the day

When to bring your pet to the clinic for vaccine reactions:

• When your pet exhibits swelling of the mouth area and facial region we commonly called angioedema.
• Signs of vomiting and diarrhea
• When the pet exhibits respiratory difficulty

It is best to observe your pet after vaccination, one way is to stay at the clinic for 10 minutes and see.  Usually we use the time to pay the vaccination bill as the observation period to see any reactions. Always have your veterinary clinic emergency details just in case.  

Treatment of these reactions are primarily supportive.  Your veterinarian will guide and make recommendations. 

Kindly report vaccine-related events to your veterinarian.  

Hope this will guide you when undertaking this important health intervention for your beloved pets.

Source:  

Craig Datz DVM, MS, DABVP.  (2009) Adverse Vaccination Event: Separating the facts from fiction. https://www.dvm360.com/view/adverse-vaccination-events-separating-fact-fiction-proceedings. Accessed 29 September 2020.