How to avoid common pet medication mistakes

If your pet has started a treatment plan with prescription medication, it’s important to make sure that the proper drug and dosage is given. Mistakes can be made-at the veterinary clinic, at a pharmacy, or even at home when you administer the medication. But you can play a big part in making sure your pet is properly treated.

Here are some important points to discuss with your veterinarian as well as some tips to avoid medication errors at home:
When starting a new treatment plan, ask your veterinarian:

• What is the name of the drug, and how does it work?
• How much and how often do I give the drug?
• Should I give it with food?
• How should I store it?
• What do I do if I forget to give a dose?
• If symptoms improve, do I need to finish giving all the doses?
• What side effects should I watch for?

When filling a new prescription or working with a new veterinarian, share this information:

• A list of all medications your pet receives, including over-the-counter products, supplements, and prescription drugs
• Medications that your pet is allergic to or that have caused side effects in the past
• Serious or chronic health conditions your pets suffers from

When storing medications at home, be sure to:

• Store your pet’s medications separately from human medications
• Keep your pet’s medications in their original containers
• Avoid sharing medication between your pets or giving your pet human medication unless instructed by your veterinarian