Veterinary Drugs
NSAID SIDE EFFECTS
The American Food and Drug Administration has called for client information sheets to be made available to pet owners when Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories are prescribed. These include the side-effects that can arise. The following data come from the FDA web site http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AnimalVeterinary/Products/ApprovedAnimalDrugProducts/DrugLabels/UCM050404.pdf
What are the Possible Side Effects That May Occur In My Dog During Metacam Therapy?
Metacam, like other drugs, may cause some side effects. Serious but rare effects have been reported in dogs taking NSAIDs. Serious side effects can occur with or without warning and in rare situations result in death. The most common NSAID-related side effects generally involve the stomach and liver or kidney problems. Look for the following side effects that can indicate your dog may be having a problem with Metacam or may have another medical problem:
· Decrease or increase in appetite
· Vomiting
· Change in bowel movement (such as diarrhea, or black tarry or blood stools)
· Change in behaviour (such as decreased or increased activity level, incoordination, seizure or aggression)
· Yellowing of gums, skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
· Change in drinking habits (frequency, amount consumed)
· Change in urination habits (frequency, color or smell)
· Change in skin (redness, scabs or scratching)
What are the possible side effects that may occur in my dog during therapy with DERAMAXX tablets?
DERAMAXX tablets, like all other drugs, may cause some side effects in individual dogs. These are normally mild, but rare serious side effects have been reported in dogs taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including DERAMAXX. Serious side effects can, in rare situations, result in death. It is important to stop the medication and contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your dog may have a medical problem or side effect while on DERAMAXX tablets. If you have additional questions about possible side effects, talk with your veterinarian or call 1-800-3322761.
Look for the following side effects that may indicate your dog is having a problem with DERAMAXX tablets or may have another medical problem:
· Vomiting
· Change in bowel movements such as diarrhea or change in stool color
· Change in drinking or urination
· Decrease in appetite
· Change in behaviour, such as depression or restlessness
What are the possible side effects that may occur in my dog during Rimadyl therapy?
Rimadyl, like other drugs, may cause some side effects. Serious but rare side effects have been reported in dogs taking NSAIDs, including Rimadyl. Serious side effects can occur without warning and in rare situations result in death.
The most common NSAID-related side effects generally involve the stomach (such as bleeding ulcers), and liver or kidney problems. Look for the following side effects that can indicate your dog may be having a problem with Rimadyl or may have another medical problem:
· Decrease or increase in appetite
· Vomiting
· Change in bowel movements (such as diarrhea, or black tarry or bloody stools
· Change in behaviour (such as decreased or increased activity level, incoordination, seizure or aggression)
· Yellowing of gums, skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
· Change in drinking habits (frequency, amount consumed)
· Change in urination habits (frequency, color or smell)
· Change in skin (redness, scabs or scratching)
It is important to stop therapy and contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your dog has a medical problem or side effect from Rimadyl therapy. If you have additional questions about possible side effects, talk to your veterinarian.
What are the possible side effects that may occur in my dog during Zubrin therapy?
Zubrin Tablets, like other drugs, may cause some side effects. Serious side effects have been reported in dogs taking NSAIDs, including Zubrin Tablets. Serious side effects with NSAID therapy can occur without warning and in rare situations result in death.
The most common side effects associated with Zubrin Tablet therapy involve the digestive tract (for example, vomiting diarrhea, or bleeding). Liver or kidney problems have also been reported with certain NSAIDs. Look for the following side effects that can indicate your dog may be having a problem with NSAID therapy or may have another medical problem:
· Decrease or increase in appetite
· Vomiting
· Change in bowel movements (such as diarrhea, or black tarry or bloody stools)
· Change in behaviour (such as decreased or increased activity level, incoordination, seizure or aggression)
· Yellowing of gums, skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
· Change in drinking habits (frequency, amount consumed)
· Change in urination habits (frequency, color or smell)
· Change in skin (redness, scabs or scratching)
It is important to stop therapy and contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your dog has a medical problem or side effect from Zubrin Tablet therapy. If you have additional questions about possible side effects, talk to your veterinarian or call 1-800-224-5318.
All great drugs, passed as safe by the licensing authorities! Note that the protective agencies in the UK – the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the Veterinary Products Committee – have NOT seen it necessary to warn pet owners of these dangers.
Antibiotic usage in animals
Antibiotic use is very important when medically indicated for the treatment of susceptible pathogens (usually bacterial.) However, there are some major concerns about antibiotic use. First among the concerns is that fact that the most common diseases are viral in origin, none of which are susceptible to antibiotic therapy. In addition, widespread antibiotic use may reduce the animals' innate flora (colonisation) resistance, actually worsening outbreaks of disease. Finally, widespread use of antibiotics may promote the evolution of resistant strains of bacteria.
Documenting that an infection is there
You should only treat a dog or cat with antibiotics if you are sure that an infection is present. Unfortunately, many vets will prescribe antibiotics ‘just in case’. The best way to determine if an infection is present is through a laboratory culture of an appropriate sample. Culturing has the additional advantages of confirming the identity of the bacteria and determining which antibiotics are appropriate choices for treatment. The next "best" indication of infection would be if the animal is sick in a way that suggests an infection: fever, elevated white blood cells, inflammation, and/or x-rays or other tests with results that suggest certain types of infection.
Adverse effects of antibiotics
There are three main problems with using antibiotics. One is direct medical side-effects such as toxic effects (e.g. aminoglycoside antibiotics are toxic to kidney cells) or allergies (which can be life-threatening). The second is that your antibiotic could kill the normal flora and leave the patient more vulnerable to pathogens (often which are resistant to antibiotics). The last problem is that using antibiotics genetically selects for antibiotic resistance in your bacteria. It may develop if the bacteria has a genetic mutation, but this is an uncommon source of the problem. More commonly, other bacteria in the environment share genes that code for resistance on plasmids. If bacteria are spreading plasmids to other bacteria in the environment, they pose a risk to any animal the bacteria could infect (including humans). Whenever you use an antibiotic, you are applying artificial selection for resistance genes.
Specific antibiotics and their side-effects
Penicillins: Cidal, disrupt cell wall. Spectrum: broad except bacteria with specific resistance. For general use. Side-effects: allergy, fever, rash, loss of white blood cells, anaemia, GI upset.
Aminoglycosides: Cidal Used for severe or resistant gram-negative bacteria, must be injected (except neomycin). Side-effects: severe kidney damage, hearing loss, facial swelling, nerve damage.
Amikacin, Gentamycin, Neomycin: Not given by injection because of severe kidney damage, not absorbed into bloodstream if eaten/used as enema/applied to skin but will treat bacteria in GI tract, on skin.
Cephalosporins: Cidal, disrupt cell wall. Main use: skin disease, susceptible infections. Side-effects: allergy (cross-reactions with penicillins), GI disease, diarrhoea
Tetracyclines: Static, inhibit protein synthesis. Broad-spectrum (but many resistant bacteria), rickettsias, other bacteria that live in cells. Main use: hemobartonella, susceptible bacteria. Side-effects: GI upset, discoloured teeth, liver/kidney disease, hair loss, photosensitivity.
Clindamycin (Antirobe): Static or cidal, disrupts protein synthesis. Spectrum: gram-positive bacteria, anaerobic bacteria. Main use: dental disease, abscesses, diarrhoea. Side-effects: GI upset.
Erythromycin: Mostly static, inhibits protein synthesis of bacteria. Spectrum: gram-positive bacteria, rickettsias, Chlamydophila, et al. Main use: Giardia, anaerobes, diarrhoea. Side-effects: neurological problems, white blood cell reduction, liver damage, blood in urine, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Tylosin (tylan): Static, inhibits protein synthesis of bacteria. Spectrum: variable. Main use: diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease. Side-effects: few.
Enrofloxacin (baytril): Cidal, inhibits DNA gyrase, synthesis. Spectrum: gram-negative bacteria, Brucella, Chlamydophila, Staph, Mycoplasma. Main use: various infections resistant to other antibiotics. Side-effects: cartilage damage in young animals, urine crystals, GI disease.
Sulfa drugs: Static, interferes with enzyme systems essential to normal metabolic and growth patterns. Side effects: nausea, vomiting, fever, anemia, leukopenia and irritation of the liver or kidneys.
Metronidazole (Flagyl): cidal, disrupts DNA synthesis? Spectrum: anaerobic bacteria, some protozoa (Giardia, amoebas). Main use: Giardia, anaerobes, diarrhoea. Side-effects: neurological problems, white blood cell reduction, liver damage, blood in urine, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Rifampin (Rifadin or Rimactane): cidal or static, inhibits RNA polymerase. Spectrum: intracellular bacteria (Mycobacteria, Staph, Rhodococcus, Chlamydophila et al.), some fungi, some viruses. Main use in cats: with anti- fungals in brain fungal disease. Side-effects: discoloured tears and urine, GI upset, liver damage (very high doses).
NSAID SIDE EFFECTS
The American Food and Drug Administration has called for client information sheets to be made available to pet owners when Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories are prescribed. These include the side-effects that can arise. The following data come from the FDA web site http://www.fda.gov/downloads/AnimalVeterinary/Products/ApprovedAnimalDrugProducts/DrugLabels/UCM050404.pdf
What are the Possible Side Effects That May Occur In My Dog During Metacam Therapy?
Metacam, like other drugs, may cause some side effects. Serious but rare effects have been reported in dogs taking NSAIDs. Serious side effects can occur with or without warning and in rare situations result in death. The most common NSAID-related side effects generally involve the stomach and liver or kidney problems. Look for the following side effects that can indicate your dog may be having a problem with Metacam or may have another medical problem:
· Decrease or increase in appetite
· Vomiting
· Change in bowel movement (such as diarrhea, or black tarry or blood stools)
· Change in behaviour (such as decreased or increased activity level, incoordination, seizure or aggression)
· Yellowing of gums, skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
· Change in drinking habits (frequency, amount consumed)
· Change in urination habits (frequency, color or smell)
· Change in skin (redness, scabs or scratching)
What are the possible side effects that may occur in my dog during therapy with DERAMAXX tablets?
DERAMAXX tablets, like all other drugs, may cause some side effects in individual dogs. These are normally mild, but rare serious side effects have been reported in dogs taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including DERAMAXX. Serious side effects can, in rare situations, result in death. It is important to stop the medication and contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your dog may have a medical problem or side effect while on DERAMAXX tablets. If you have additional questions about possible side effects, talk with your veterinarian or call 1-800-3322761.
Look for the following side effects that may indicate your dog is having a problem with DERAMAXX tablets or may have another medical problem:
· Vomiting
· Change in bowel movements such as diarrhea or change in stool color
· Change in drinking or urination
· Decrease in appetite
· Change in behaviour, such as depression or restlessness
What are the possible side effects that may occur in my dog during Rimadyl therapy?
Rimadyl, like other drugs, may cause some side effects. Serious but rare side effects have been reported in dogs taking NSAIDs, including Rimadyl. Serious side effects can occur without warning and in rare situations result in death.
The most common NSAID-related side effects generally involve the stomach (such as bleeding ulcers), and liver or kidney problems. Look for the following side effects that can indicate your dog may be having a problem with Rimadyl or may have another medical problem:
· Decrease or increase in appetite
· Vomiting
· Change in bowel movements (such as diarrhea, or black tarry or bloody stools
· Change in behaviour (such as decreased or increased activity level, incoordination, seizure or aggression)
· Yellowing of gums, skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
· Change in drinking habits (frequency, amount consumed)
· Change in urination habits (frequency, color or smell)
· Change in skin (redness, scabs or scratching)
It is important to stop therapy and contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your dog has a medical problem or side effect from Rimadyl therapy. If you have additional questions about possible side effects, talk to your veterinarian.
What are the possible side effects that may occur in my dog during Zubrin therapy?
Zubrin Tablets, like other drugs, may cause some side effects. Serious side effects have been reported in dogs taking NSAIDs, including Zubrin Tablets. Serious side effects with NSAID therapy can occur without warning and in rare situations result in death.
The most common side effects associated with Zubrin Tablet therapy involve the digestive tract (for example, vomiting diarrhea, or bleeding). Liver or kidney problems have also been reported with certain NSAIDs. Look for the following side effects that can indicate your dog may be having a problem with NSAID therapy or may have another medical problem:
· Decrease or increase in appetite
· Vomiting
· Change in bowel movements (such as diarrhea, or black tarry or bloody stools)
· Change in behaviour (such as decreased or increased activity level, incoordination, seizure or aggression)
· Yellowing of gums, skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
· Change in drinking habits (frequency, amount consumed)
· Change in urination habits (frequency, color or smell)
· Change in skin (redness, scabs or scratching)
It is important to stop therapy and contact your veterinarian immediately if you think your dog has a medical problem or side effect from Zubrin Tablet therapy. If you have additional questions about possible side effects, talk to your veterinarian or call 1-800-224-5318.
All great drugs, passed as safe by the licensing authorities! Note that the protective agencies in the UK – the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and the Veterinary Products Committee – have NOT seen it necessary to warn pet owners of these dangers.
Antibiotic usage in animals
Antibiotic use is very important when medically indicated for the treatment of susceptible pathogens (usually bacterial.) However, there are some major concerns about antibiotic use. First among the concerns is that fact that the most common diseases are viral in origin, none of which are susceptible to antibiotic therapy. In addition, widespread antibiotic use may reduce the animals' innate flora (colonisation) resistance, actually worsening outbreaks of disease. Finally, widespread use of antibiotics may promote the evolution of resistant strains of bacteria.
Documenting that an infection is there
You should only treat a dog or cat with antibiotics if you are sure that an infection is present. Unfortunately, many vets will prescribe antibiotics ‘just in case’. The best way to determine if an infection is present is through a laboratory culture of an appropriate sample. Culturing has the additional advantages of confirming the identity of the bacteria and determining which antibiotics are appropriate choices for treatment. The next "best" indication of infection would be if the animal is sick in a way that suggests an infection: fever, elevated white blood cells, inflammation, and/or x-rays or other tests with results that suggest certain types of infection.
Adverse effects of antibiotics
There are three main problems with using antibiotics. One is direct medical side-effects such as toxic effects (e.g. aminoglycoside antibiotics are toxic to kidney cells) or allergies (which can be life-threatening). The second is that your antibiotic could kill the normal flora and leave the patient more vulnerable to pathogens (often which are resistant to antibiotics). The last problem is that using antibiotics genetically selects for antibiotic resistance in your bacteria. It may develop if the bacteria has a genetic mutation, but this is an uncommon source of the problem. More commonly, other bacteria in the environment share genes that code for resistance on plasmids. If bacteria are spreading plasmids to other bacteria in the environment, they pose a risk to any animal the bacteria could infect (including humans). Whenever you use an antibiotic, you are applying artificial selection for resistance genes.
Specific antibiotics and their side-effects
Penicillins: Cidal, disrupt cell wall. Spectrum: broad except bacteria with specific resistance. For general use. Side-effects: allergy, fever, rash, loss of white blood cells, anaemia, GI upset.
Aminoglycosides: Cidal Used for severe or resistant gram-negative bacteria, must be injected (except neomycin). Side-effects: severe kidney damage, hearing loss, facial swelling, nerve damage.
Amikacin, Gentamycin, Neomycin: Not given by injection because of severe kidney damage, not absorbed into bloodstream if eaten/used as enema/applied to skin but will treat bacteria in GI tract, on skin.
Cephalosporins: Cidal, disrupt cell wall. Main use: skin disease, susceptible infections. Side-effects: allergy (cross-reactions with penicillins), GI disease, diarrhoea
Tetracyclines: Static, inhibit protein synthesis. Broad-spectrum (but many resistant bacteria), rickettsias, other bacteria that live in cells. Main use: hemobartonella, susceptible bacteria. Side-effects: GI upset, discoloured teeth, liver/kidney disease, hair loss, photosensitivity.
Clindamycin (Antirobe): Static or cidal, disrupts protein synthesis. Spectrum: gram-positive bacteria, anaerobic bacteria. Main use: dental disease, abscesses, diarrhoea. Side-effects: GI upset.
Erythromycin: Mostly static, inhibits protein synthesis of bacteria. Spectrum: gram-positive bacteria, rickettsias, Chlamydophila, et al. Main use: Giardia, anaerobes, diarrhoea. Side-effects: neurological problems, white blood cell reduction, liver damage, blood in urine, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Tylosin (tylan): Static, inhibits protein synthesis of bacteria. Spectrum: variable. Main use: diarrhoea, inflammatory bowel disease. Side-effects: few.
Enrofloxacin (baytril): Cidal, inhibits DNA gyrase, synthesis. Spectrum: gram-negative bacteria, Brucella, Chlamydophila, Staph, Mycoplasma. Main use: various infections resistant to other antibiotics. Side-effects: cartilage damage in young animals, urine crystals, GI disease.
Sulfa drugs: Static, interferes with enzyme systems essential to normal metabolic and growth patterns. Side effects: nausea, vomiting, fever, anemia, leukopenia and irritation of the liver or kidneys.
Metronidazole (Flagyl): cidal, disrupts DNA synthesis? Spectrum: anaerobic bacteria, some protozoa (Giardia, amoebas). Main use: Giardia, anaerobes, diarrhoea. Side-effects: neurological problems, white blood cell reduction, liver damage, blood in urine, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Rifampin (Rifadin or Rimactane): cidal or static, inhibits RNA polymerase. Spectrum: intracellular bacteria (Mycobacteria, Staph, Rhodococcus, Chlamydophila et al.), some fungi, some viruses. Main use in cats: with anti- fungals in brain fungal disease. Side-effects: discoloured tears and urine, GI upset, liver damage (very high doses).