Responsible pet owners will do more than feed, exercise and love their dogs and cats. They will search out the best pet medications to enhance the life of their beloved pets.
On average, a cat will live 15 to 17 years. With dogs, it’s not that clear cut. Small dogs usually live longer than bigger dogs. But a really large dog – like a Great Dane or a dog weighing more than 100 pounds – will be physically old by 6 to 8 years old. But no matter how long your pet lives, you’ll want to ensure he has the best quality of life possible – and that means treating symptoms promptly and appropriately.
Of course, you’ll want to take your dog or cat to the veterinarian for proper evaluation. The vet may prescribe medication that you can purchase from the office or elsewhere. But not all illnesses require a trip to the vet.
Top-10 Illnesses for Dogs and Cats
Dogs
1. Skin allergies
2. Ear infections
3. Stomach upsets
4. Bladder infections
5. Benign tumors
6. Osteoarthritis
7. Sprains
8. Eye infections
9. Enteritis
10. Hypothyroidism
Cats
1. Urinary tract infections
2. Stomach upsets
3. Kidney disease
4. Skin allergies
5. Respiratory infections
6. Diabetes
7. Ear infections
8. Colitis
9. Eye infections
10. Wound infections
As you can see, many of these illnesses are ones that you can treat
at home, once the proper diagnosis has been made. Some of the
medications, however, will require a prescription from the veterinarian.
Common Problems
Ailments common to both cats and dogs include skin infections, ear infections, eye infections, and stomach ailments. Treated properly, these infections and reactions can be easily managed.
Skin Infections
If your dog or cat has developed a skin infection, or a “hot spot,” soothe the area with Dermacool HC Spray twice a day. Dermacool HC Spray is an anti-pruritic, anti-inflammatory therapeutic spray that contains 1 percent hydrocortisone in a cooling astringent. It offers prompt, but temporary relief of inflammation and pruritus.
Alternatively, your vet may prescribe Derma-Vet Ointment for your dog or cat, which contains nystatin, neomycin sulfate, thiostrepton and triamcinolone acetonide. These four ingredients offer the following therapeutic benefits: anti-inflammatory, antipruritic, antifungal and antibacterial. They help the skin heal and treat the infection.
Need to clean or disinfect the infected or inflamed skin area? Try
Douxo Chlorhexidine 3 percent antiseptic cleaning pads. They are all
cotton and do not contain alcohol, which can sting your dog’s or cat’s
skin. Instead, the solution contains 3 percent chlorhexidine, 0.5
percent climbazole and 0.5 percent phytosphingosine-salicyloyl. You’ll
get 30 pads in one jar.
Ear Infections
Most topical treatments for infected ears are flush solutions, ointments or powders.
MalAcetic Ultra Otic Flush can be used to clean the ears of dogs, cats and horses. This broad-spectrum cleanser contains active ingredients ketoconazole and hydrocortisone, as well as 1 percent acetic acid and 2 percent boric acid. It’s a both an antifungal and antibacterial flush. You squeeze it liberally in the ear and then massage it. Avoid all contact with the eyes.
MalOtic Ointment is indicated for use in dogs with acute and chronic ear infections with yeast, as well as any bacteria susceptible to gentamicin.
Neo-Predef with Tetracaine Powder has several uses for dogs, cats and horses. It can be used to treat ear and skin conditions caused by or associated with neomycin-susceptible organisms or allergies. It can also be used as a dressing for minor cuts, wounds or abrasions. It may also be used to reduce pain and inflammation after surgery on tails, claws, dew-claws, ears, or ovariohysterectomies.
Eye Conditions
Your pets can fall prey to many of the same eye conditions as humans – like glaucoma and conjunctivitis.
Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Ophthalmic Solution contains corticosteroids that are used to reduce inflammation in the eye as a result of conjunctivitis, episcleritis, scleritis, pannus and eosinophilic keratitis in cats. It contains prednisolone and dexamethasone.
Gentamicin Ophthalmic Solution is used to treat dogs and cats suffering from bacterial infections in the eye – most often conjunctival infections and infections on the cornea.
Stomach Ailments
If your dog or cat suffers from stomach upset, he may need some of the same stomach medications prescribed for humans.
With a prescription, Famotidine tablets come in 20mg and 40mg strengths for dogs and cats. There is also an over-the-counter 10mg version available. Originally, the brand name for products containing Famotidine included Mylanta AR and Pepcid. It was indicated to treat ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and injury to the esophagus. Famotidine works the same way in dogs and cats. It is a histamine-blocker that reduces the amount of gastric acid secreted in the stomach.
If you value and love your pets, you should work with your veterinarian to find the right medications to give your pet the best life possible.
