Older Animals And Pet Meds: Harm Or Help?

For many years, veterinarians have been trying to figure out how to extend the life of the pets that we love so much. There is nothing more heart-wrenching than owning an older animal, and having to watch them deteriorate with age. Owners are willing to do anything to prolong the quality of life for their pets, and in some cases, pet meds can help. However, in certain situations, pet meds can do more harm than good. This decision is one best made by your veterinarian, and yourself, in a discussion about what is best for your pet individually depending on their age and health.

The chief ailments in aging pets include joint inflammation, arthritis and hip dysplasia. For these ailments, there are anti-inflammatories and pain medications that can help better the quality of life in aging pets. Just like humans, pets have many similar ailments, and aging owners know how painful arthritis and joint inflammation can be. In many cases, medications are a healthy and proactive way of making pets more comfortable throughout their golden years.

For younger pet owners, it is important to mention the use of supplements to use throughout your pets life, in an effort to increase bone density and keep joints, skin and bones healthier longer. This is helpful for when a pet reaches a senior status. With helpful supplements throughout their life, their body will be less likely to encounter ailments as they increase with age. However, it is best to speak with your veterinarian to decide which supplements are best to use, and when you should start using them. Generally speaking, puppies and kittens do not require the use of supplements for their bones and joints. It is also important to remember that certain brands of veterinarian pet food already include supplements for aging or senior animals.

Heartworm is another disease that senior pet owners need to be aware of. Heartworm is more common in older animals, but it is important to start protecting your pet from heartworms at a younger. Heartworm medication is a one-time medication, usually given orally once a year. This protection is inexpensive and can drastically prolong the life of your pet by providing a longer, higher quality life.

Other aging pet meds include bladder control medications, which can help the less desirable effects of aging in home-bound animals. A senior pet that was once fully house trained could suddenly have incontinence issues, and bladder control medications can drastically improve the quality of life for your pet and make you much happier as well.

There are a variety of ailments that can require the usage of steroids as well. However, steroids can cause renal failure in dogs and cats when used for long periods of time. It is important though, to realize that while steroids may shave time off the end of your pet’s life, the medication can improve the quality of life exponentially, providing for a higher quality of life for the time your pet is alive.

It is important to remember that even senior animals require flea and tick control treatments to ward off those nasty, annoying bugs. Fleas and ticks can spread disease on animals similar to the way they do to humans, by biting their skin. You can easily avoid many diseases that are flea and tick spread by using topical or oral treatments to ward off those unfriendly invaders.

Many of the medications used by animals are also used on humans. It is surprising to hear your doctor prescribe the same medication your own family physician has prescribed to you. Most medications for pets, while being similar to human usage, are dosed quite differently for pets. If you give your aging or younger pet medication that is not the correct dosage, or is not appropriate for their specific ailment, you can possibly do more harm than good, and, unlike humans, your pet will not be able to tell you when they are not feeling well due to your mistake.

There are many pet medication websites available on the Internet. While they offer incredible deals on pet medications, it is important to look for a few things before you purchase medications. You should first require a prescription from a veterinarian to purchase any medication that is not over the counter. Most over the counter medications such as supplements, flea and tick control medications, heartworm medications and skin treatments as well as certain shampoos. However, just like for humans, narcotics, arthritis medications, joint medications and other medications that you would normally get from a doctor are by prescription only. If you can easily purchase these medications from a website without a prescription from a vet, then look elsewhere for an online pet medication website.