There are a lot of reasons that you could use a veterinary compounding pharmacy. Take for instance, my horse’s medication. A lot of time a medication is commercially made which means a standard dosage per pill. However, my horse needs stronger pills and I couldn’t figure out a way to give him the right dosage. As a horse owner–and pet owner in general–it is nice to know that I actually do have options for my horse! This is where a veterinary compounding pharmacy comes in handy. They prepare drug specifically customized to practically any animal. A Veterinary Compounding Pharmacy has these options:
1. Add Flavoring to medications to make them more enticing
2. Compound hard to find drugs, or drugs that are no longer available on the market
3. Customize dosage to fit your animal’s need
4. Formulate different dosage forms
Like humans, animals can find their medications distasteful. Just like my mother making me drink cough syrup, a pill or concoction made for an animal can be repulsive. Compounding pharmacies and veterinarians can adjust the flavor of your animal’s medications to make them desirable. This is called the triad relationship and it conjures appeal to both the owner and the pet. In this triad relationship, the veterinarian, the owner of the pet, and the compounding pharmacy discuss alternative ways to give the animals their medication that will please the animal. For some this may seem irrational, but to us pet lovers, we want our animals to be happy. Veterinary compounding pharmacies may also recreate drugs that are no longer available on the market.
Drugs are like fashion, coming and going and innovating all over again. Sometimes, the best solution is to revert back to an old drug, even though it has “gone out of style.” Compounding pharmacies have the ability to recreate (or create) drugs that can be specifically beneficial for your animal. Compounding pharmacies also have the option of customizing dosages and formulating new ways to deliver that dosage. My horse, for example, hates taking pills. He will not swallow them and causes a racket if I try. I contacted a veterinary compounding pharmacy and we formulated a dosage system that works for both my horse and me. We give him a flavored paste that we deliver in each of his three feedings for the day. This versatility allows my horse to be happy and not feel overwhelmed by the drugs.
Here are some of the most common compounding solutions supplied on in the trade:
Supplements
A lot of veterinary compounding pharmacies will create supplements specific to different animals that help to maintain healthy skin, joints, eyes, energy level, coat, and even brain.
Trans-dermal Gels
Trans-dermal gels can be great for an alternative form of administration. You can rub these active ingredients mixed with the medication into your animal’s skin, most commonly behind the ear or on a shaved area.
Capsules
Capsules are probably the most common form of medication. Most animals will take their medication in this form. Capsules provide the option of combining several ingredients into one capsule, hence, eliminating the number of pills needed.
Flavor Enhancers
Many veterinary compounding pharmacies will enhance medications by adding and of over 100-pet friendly flavor options.
Depending on what animal you have, the pharmacy will mostly have whatever flavor your pet wants. The versatility of a veterinary compounding pharmacy is an added benefit to the animal community as a whole. Producers in today’s market hardly ever cater specifically to an animal or to someone’s pets. That is why I got involved with these compounding pharmacies because it has the ability to reach a wide market. Customizing your pet’s medication to fit the specific need is beneficial for veterinarians, owners, and pets alike.