When you take your pet to the vet, there may be times when they are prescribed medication. Medication for your pets is just like getting medication for yourself. You should be just as concerned about its proper use and the reason for prescribing it. When your pet is prescribed medication of any kind by your Walnut Creek veterinarian, here are some questions you should ask to understand the reasoning better.
Why was my pet prescribed this particular medication?
One of the most important questions you should have answered is why your pet has been prescribed that particular medication. What is the health problem that will be resolved by the prescription? You should also ask how often you should administer the medication for best results.
How should the medication be administered?
In addition to knowing how long the medication should be administered, you should also know the best way to give your pet the medication. Should it be taken with food? Should it be given to your pet when they have an empty stomach? Some medicines will cause an upset stomach if you give it with food while others will cause stomach issues if given on an empty stomach.
How should the medication be stored?
Some medications need to be stored in the refrigerator or else they will become bad and ineffective. Other medications simply need to be stored in a dry, cool place. When your Walnut Creek veterinarian prescribes a medication for your pet, make sure you know how it should be stored so it retains its potency and doesn’t go bad.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose?
There will be chances when you forget to give your pet a dose of their medication or you simply aren’t home to give it to them. Before you take your pet home from the vet, you should ask about the best thing to do in case you miss a dose. If you give them two doses in too close of a time span, it could cause some drastic side effects for your pet. But if you wait too long between doses, it could also be detrimental to their health.
What if my pet spits or vomits the medication?
If your pet vomits after getting the medication or if your pet spits it out, you should contact your Walnut Creek veterinarian right away. It could be due to an allergic reaction or some other problem and your vet can tell you what the best course of action will be.
At Sun Valley Regional Animal Hospital, we have been helping pet owners with all kinds of issues for many years. Visit our website at Sunvalleynet.com to see how we can help you.
