1-800-PetMeds now sells FiproGuard Plus. FiproGuard Plus is a new flea and tick control product for dogs and puppies, cats and kittens. FiproGuard™ Plus is the generic equivalent to Frontline® Plus—it contains the same active ingredients (Fipronil and (S)-methoprene) in the same concentrations, making FiproGuard™ Plus an affordable, effective option for flea and tick control. Just as with Frontline® Plus, FiproGuard™ Plus is a topical treatment that protects dogs and cats against fleas, ticks, chewing lice, flea eggs and flea larvae.
Since my last post, 1-800-PetMeds has continued to add additional medications. These include:
Benazepril 5 mg (generic for Lotensin), an ACE inhibitor used in dogs and cats to treat heart failure, high blood pressure and some forms of kidney disease.
Lisinopril 10 mg (generic for Prinivil, Zestril), an ACE inhibitor used in dogs and cats to treat heart failure, high blood pressure, certain types of heart valve disease and some forms of kidney disease.
Azathioprine 50 mg, an immunosuppresive used in dogs and cats to treat auto-immune diseases of the skin, blood, or multiple body systems.
Famotidine 10 mg, a generic for Pepcid, is available over the counter (no prescription needed) and is used in dogs and cats to reduce stomach acid production in the prevention and treatment of ulcers.
Ranitidine 150 mg, a generic for Zantac, is available over the counter (no prescription needed) and is used in dogs and cats to reduce stomach acid production in the prevention and treatment of ulcers.
As always, the pharmacy staff at 1-800-PetMeds is available to answer any questions regarding your pet’s medications.
Over the last couple of months, 1-800-PetMeds has begun to offer some additional prescription medications through the pharmacy. These medications include:
Gabapentin 100 mg and 300 mg capsules used in dogs and cats as an adjunct in treating pain and also to treat seizures.
Sucralfate1 Gm tablets used in dogs, cats, and horses to treat ulcers and protect the stomach from ulcer formation.
K BroVet (potassium bromide) 250 mg and 500 mg tablets and Oral Solution 250 mg/ml used in dogs to treat seizures.
Amlodipine besylate 2.5 mg tablets used primarily in cats to treat high blood pressure especially in cats with kidney disease.
Methocarbamol 500 mg tablets used in dogs and cats to treat muscle spasms
As always, the pharmacy staff at 1-800-PetMeds is available to answer any questions regarding your pet’s medications.
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health has announced that it is discontinuing Zubrin (tepoxalin). Zubrin is still available, but once supplies are exhausted, it will no longer be available.
If your pet is taking Zubrin, now would be a good time to talk to your veterinarian about an alternate nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication.
Do you have a Cane Corso, Icelandic Sheepdog, or Leonberger as a pet. Congratulations. These breeds have now been recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) of New York City and are now eligible for AKC registration and competition.
The Icelandic Sheepdog will belong to the herding group while the Cane Corso and Leonberger will join the working group.
I recently came across an article in the March 2010 issue of Veterinary Practice News that listed the top 10 categories of human drugs that are most frequently ingested by pets. According to information supplied by Justine A. Lee, DVM, Dipl. ACVECC, associate director of veterinary services at the Pet Poison Helpline, animal poisonings “are unfortunately very, very common.”
The top 10 human medications most frequently ingested by pets according to this article are:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil, Aleve and Motrin)
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Antidepressants (Effexor, Cymbalta, Prozac, Lexapro)
- ADD and ADHD medications (Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin)
- Benzodiazepines and sleep aids (Xanax, Klonopin, Ambien, Lunesta)
- Birth-control pills (estrogen, estradiol, progesterone)
- ACE inhibitors (Zestril, Altace)
- Beta blockers (Tenormin, Toprol, Coreg)
- Thyroid hormones (Armour dessicated thyroid, Synthroid)
- Cholesterol lowering agents (Lipitor, Zocor, Crestor)
For their health and safety, let’s keep all medications where pets cannot get to them.
According to the American Kennel Club, the top 10 dog breeds in the United States are:
Wonder where the Portuguese Water Dog stands? Over the last decade this breed, also according to the AKC, has moved from number 80 to number 60. However, in the last year this breed has moved up 4 spots since Bo moved into the White House.
I just came across an article that lists the Top 10 most common causes for veterinary visits in 2009.
For dogs, the top 10 reasons were: lower urinary tract/bladder infection, ear infection, skin allergy, skin infection/hot spots, gastritis/vomiting, enteritis/diarrhea, arthritis, soft tissue trauma, non cancerous tumor, eye infection.
For cats, the top 10 reasons were: lower urinary tract infection, gastritis/vomiting, chronic renal failure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, enteritis/diarrhea, skin allergy, periodontitis/dental disease, ear infection, eye infection.
1-800-PetMeds can supply a full range of prescription pet meds that are used to treat these conditions and non-prescription medications to help maintain your pet’s health.
I am pleased to announce that 1-800-PetMeds has achieved Vet-VIPPS accreditation by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP).
To quote from the NABP website, “The Vet-VIPPS program accredits facilities that dispense prescription drugs and devices for companion and non-food producing animals over the Internet and assures animal care providers that they are purchasing drugs and devices from a facility that meets the licensing requirements of the state in which the facility is based and each state to which it dispenses pharmaceuticals.
Veterinarians and clients can be reassured, as a result of this accreditation, that 1-800-PetMeds meets the highest standards of pharmacy practice.
Vetsulin is no longer available at 1-800-PetMeds. The following information explains why the manufacturer is no longer making this product:
Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, the manufacturer of Vetsulin (porcine insulin zinc suspension) recently sent another letter to veterinarians as a follow up to the Vetsulin Alert/Importance of Diabetic Pet Transition letter that was sent to veterinarians last November. This letter is reminding veterinarians of the dwindling supply of Vetsulin and encourages them to transition their diabetic patients to other insulin products including protamine zinc insulin for cats (ProZinc).
*As a reminder to all PetMeds clients with a diabetic pet, do not switch from one type of insulin product to another unless under the directions of a veterinarian. Changing from one insulin to another may require an adjustment in the dose and/or the use of a different insulin syringe.
I want to make sure everyone currently using Vetsulin to control their pet’s diabetes understands the issue that is impacting them.
As you may know, the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine and Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health (the maker of Vetsulin) issued a “Product Alert” on Vetsulin late last year. The issue is with the long-term stability of the product over time. The company is presently working to determine whether there is any significant loss of potency or a delayed onset or extended duration of action. At this time, the company does not believe the efficacy and safety of Vetsulin is affected.
However, all veterinarians have been asked to alert their clients to:
- Monitor their pets on Vetsulin for any unusual signs; and
- Transition their pet to an alternative product as soon as posible
Transitioning your pet as soon as possible is important because Vetsulin will no longer be available in the very near future and all supplies in the U.S. will be depleted while Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health works with the FDA to resolve this issue. Therefore you should make an appointment with your veterinarian immediately so that the veterinarian can initiate this transition process.
