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Felimazole comes in small, brightly coloured, sugarcoated tablets. There are 2.5mg tablets, which are pink, and 5mg tablets, which are orange. They are designed to be given directly into the mouth and swallowed whole. However this is very difficult with some cats and lots of cats take them in food. The tablets are very small and appear to be odourless and tasteless to cats, and so if added to tasty, moist food, they are easy enough to give in most cases. A little tip is to worm the food to body temperature and so it brings the food’s aroma to minimise the presence of the tablet.

Felimazole tablets are given to control hyperthyroidism. This is a common condition of older cats and is due to over-production of thyroid hormones from the cat’s thyroid glands. A pair of these glands is present in either side of the neck, but they are usually very small and difficult to feel. In hyperthyroidism, one or both glands become very much enlarged, often becoming easy to feel. Felimazole tablets contain the drug thiamazole, which suppresses the amount of thyroid hormones released. An enlarged gland will not shrink with treatment, but its activity will be controlled.

Is there any need for treatment?

Thyroid hormones tend to speed up the body’s metabolism, so when they are over-produced, the affected cat Read the rest of this entry »

Ipakitine contains Calcium carbonate – has phosphate-binding properties. Dogs and cats with kidney chronic disease tend to retain Phosphate, as the kidneys cannot filtrate it way from the body. The problem with this is that the phosphate attracts calcium to bind to it. When phosphate than accumulate in the body it results in mobilisation of calcium particularly from bone. This may lead to weakness of the bones.

Chitosan – derived from chitin, Chitin is a natural substance, the main building material of exoskeletons of arthropods. Due to chitosan’s specific molecular properties, it acts as an absorbent in the intestines and thus lowers the absorption of certain substances that can be harmful to the kidneys, including phosphates and some uraemic toxins. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of phosphate reduction in cats and dogs suffering from kidney failure and it is now widely accepted that there is a direct link between the length and quality of life of a cat or dog with kidney failure and the amount of phosphates they get through their food.

The ingredients in Ipakitine act as phosphate binding agents and lower the absorption of phosphates from the intestines. Thus, in respect of phosphate restriction they can mimic or enhance the effects of a phosphate restricted food. There is also a reduction in the absorption of some uraemic toxins that can affect, appetite, oral and stomach irritation and ulcers and normal kidney function. Renal disease should be managed carefully, using more than one approach, such as diet modification, prescription medications and nutritional supplements.

Administration

1g / 5kg body weight twice daily (one level scoop measures 1g of powder), mixed with food, for up to 6 months initially. It is recommended that a clinical check up be performed every 6 months by a vet and a blood test should be conducted to evaluate for kidneys parameters and phosphate and calcium levels. Administration can be life-long. Allow free access to fresh water at all times.

Soloxine stimulate metabolism, growth, development and differentiation of tissues. It is absorbed rapidly from the gastrointestinal tract after oral administration. Following absorption, the compound becomes bound to the serum alpha globulin fraction.  Soloxine is available in uniquely shaped, color coded tablets in eight different strengths to allow easy and convenient dosage adjustment. Hypothyroidism is the generalized metabolic disease resulting from deficiency of the thyroid hormones levothyroxine (T4) and liothyronine (T3). Canine hypothyroidism is usually primary, i.e. due to atrophy of the thyroid gland. In the majority of cases the atrophy is associated with lymphocytic thyroiditis and in the remainder it is non-inflammatory and as of yet unknown etiology. Less than 10 percent of cases of hypothyroidism are secondary, i.e. due to deficiency of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH deficiency may occur as a component of congenital hypopituitarism or as an acquired disorder in adult dogs, in which case it may be due to the growth of a pituitary tumor.

Soloxine provides thyroid replacement therapy in all conditions of inadequate production of thyroid hormones. Soloxine (Levothyroxine Sodium Tablets, USP) will provide levothyroxine (T4) as a substrate for the physiologic deiodination to liothyronine (T3). Administration of levothyroxine sodium alone will result in complete physiologic thyroid replacement. The initial recommended dose is 0.1 mg/10 lb. (4.5 kg) body weight twice daily. Dosage is then adjusted by monitoring the thyroid blood levels of the dog every four weeks until an adequate maintenance dose is established. The usual maintenance dose is 0.1 mg/10 lb. (4.5 kg) once daily. Read the rest of this entry »

Rimadyl (pronounced “Rim-a-dill”) for Osteoarthritis and Post-Surgical Pain

Generic name: carprofen (“car-pro-fen”)

This summary contains important information about Rimadyl. You should read this information before you start giving your dog Rimadyl and review it each time the prescription is refilled. This sheet is provided only as a summary and does not take the place of instructions from your veterinarian. Talk to your veterinarian if you do not understand any of this information or if you want to know more about Rimadyl.

What is Rimadyl?
Rimadyl is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used to reduce pain and inflammation (soreness) due to osteoarthritis and pain following surgery in dogs. Rimadyl is a prescription drug for dogs. It is available as a caplet and chewable tablet and is given to dogs by mouth, or in an injectable formula administered by veterinarians.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful condition caused by “wear and tear” of cartilage and other parts of the joints that may result in the following changes or signs in your dog: Read the rest of this entry »

Metacam (Meloxicam) is a member of the class of drugs known as NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), the same class as such common over-the-counter pain remedies as Ibuprofen, Paracitamol and Aspirin. Most NSAIDs cannot be used in pets due to unacceptable side effects:
· Stomach ulceration – even perforation and rupture of the stomach can occur. This is not only painful, but also life threatening.
· Platelet deactivation – platelets are the cells controlling the ability to clot blood and, as a general rule, it is preferable not to promote bleeding. We would prefer platelets to remain active and able to function should we need them.
· Decreased blood supply to the kidney – this could tip a borderline patient into kidney failure.
The veterinary profession has been in need of an NSAID that could effectively relieve pain without the above risks. The key appears to lie with the enzyme responsible for many inflammatory mediators. A different but related enzyme is responsible for producing important biochemicals needed to maintain normal blood supply to the kidneys and Gastro Intestinal tract. It had been previously impossible to inhibit this enzyme, hence the side effects of previous NSAIDS.

This new ability to inhibit a specific proved to be revolutionary for pain management not only for pets but for humans as well. It has reduced stomach and intestinal side effects by 50% in humans and has made approval of NSAIDs possible for pets. Read the rest of this entry »

fortekor is indicated for the treatment of heart failure in dogs and chronic renal insufficiency in cats. The active ingredient is benazepril. After oral administration, benazepril is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and hydrolysed into benazeprilate, a highly specific and potent inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). fortekor produces significant inhibition of plasma ACE activity for more than 24 hours after a single dose in cats and dogs. Inhibition of ACE leads to reduced conversion of inactive angiotensin I into angiotensin II and therefore reduction in the effects mediated by angiotensin II, including vasoconstriction of both arteries and veins, retention of sodium and water by the kidney and remodelling effects (including pathological cardiac hypertrophy and degenerative renal changes).

In dogs with heart failure, fortekor lowers the blood pressure and volume loading on the heart. fortekor leads to a significant extension of the life span of dogs with heart failure and also improves clinical signs, notably reduction in coughing and improvement of the quality of life.
In contrast with other ACE inhibitors, benazeprilat is excreted equally by both biliary and urinary routes in dogs and primarily via the biliary route in cats and therefore no adjustment of the dose of fortekor is necessary in the treatment of cats with renal insufficiency. Read the rest of this entry »

Lypex is a supplement of digestive enzymes that assist food breakdown and thus improve absorption in the gut. It is used for dogs and cats suffering from Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI). EPI is a disease where the pancreas looses it’s ability to produce digestive enzymes. When the food cannot be digested, it will not absorbed into the body. This will lead to chronic diarrhoea and lose of condition. Lypex can also be used to help control chronic pancreatitis.
In the old days, dog owners used to harvest pig’s pancreas from the abattoir for enzyme supplementation. This had some effect and controlled some of the clinical symptoms of EPI but the respond was by no mean satisfactory. Lypax is easy to apply and give very consistent respond.
For dogs over 10kg one capsule should be given with each meal (twice a day) For cats and dogs under 10kg, half a capsule with each meal. The capsule can either be given whole or sprinkled and mixed with the food.

Where to get Lypex?
Lypex can be supplied by your local vet. This might be the most expensive way, but it is easy. The best way to get Lypex is to go to www.comparevetdrugs.com and seek for the best price. Many people use online suppliers these days to help with the costs of medication.