Educational Articles
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Pentoxifylline is given by mouth and is used off label to treat skin disorders and poor perfusion due to inflamed blood vessels. Give as directed. Common side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, excitement, or restlessness. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it, allergic to xanthines, or in pets with bleeding in the brain or eye. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
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Perna is given by mouth and is used over the counter to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis in cats, dogs, and horses. Give as directed by your veterinarian. The most common side effects are gastrointestinal effects such as nausea and diarrhea. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it or other shellfish, or in pregnant or nursing pets. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
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Phenobarbital is given by mouth or as an injection to treat seizures or to sedate your pet. Common side effects include sleepiness, increased thirst, urination, and/or appetite. Do not use this medication in pets with liver, lung, or kidney disease or those that are allergic to barbiturates. If a negative reaction occurs, call your veterinary office.
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Phenoxybenzamine is given by mouth and is used off label to treat urination difficulty related to sphincter tone, high blood pressure related to pheochromocytoma, and laminitis in horses. Phenoxybenzamine should be given as directed by your veterinarian. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, small pupils, increased heart rate, and nasal congestion/stuffy nose. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it, in pets that cannot handle low blood pressure, or in horses with colic. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
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Phenylbutazone (brand names: Butazolidin, VetriBute, Butatron, Phenylbute) is given by mouth in the form of a paste, powder, tablet, or granules or by an injection into the vein in horses. Do not use this medication in horses that are allergic to it. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
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Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan is an injectable disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) used to treat non-infectious and traumatic arthritis in dogs. It is also used off-label in cats and small mammals. If administering this medication at home, follow your veterinarian’s instructions and dispose of the needle and syringe appropriately. Side effects are rare when given according to label recommendations and at prescribed intervals. Do not use this medication in pets with a known hypersensitivity to it, in pets with known or suspected bleeding disorders or immune-mediated arthritis, or in pets with severe kidney or liver disorders.
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Prednisone/prednisolone is given by mouth or injection and is used on and off label to treat Addison’s disease, inflammatory conditions, neoplasia (cancer), and immune-mediated diseases. Give this medication as directed by your veterinarian. Common side effects include increased drinking, increased urination, and increased appetite. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it, or pets with systemic fungal infections, viral infections, ulcers, tuberculosis, or Cushing’s disease. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
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Probiotics are given by mouth and are used over the counter to treat gastrointestinal upset. Give as directed by your veterinarian. Side effects are rare but may include gas or mild discomfort. Do not use in pets that are very sick and immunocompromised, or in pets that are allergic to it. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
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Procainamide is used off label and given by mouth or injection to treat abnormal heart rhythms. Side effects may include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, low blood pressure, less effective heart beats, and rhythm abnormalities. Do not use in Doberman Pinchers, Boxers, pets that are allergic to it or related drugs, or pets with myasthenia gravis, torsade de pointes, cardiac glycoside intoxication, or heart block. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
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Propantheline bromide is given by mouth or injection and is used off label to treat diarrhea, slow heart rate, and incontinence. Give as directed by your veterinarian. Common side effects include dry mouth, dry eyes, fast heart rate, difficulty urinating, and constipation. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it or similar drugs, or pets that have certain heart, bladder, or intestinal problems, glaucoma, or myasthenia gravis. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
