Even though everyone knows that they should follow the doctor’s instructions when it comes to medication, unfortunately, frugality makes most of us unable to get rid of the something.
Why throw it away, when there is a chance those pills would come in handy in the future? With respect to medication – regardless of whether it’s for you or your beloved four-legged companion – the rule of thumb dictates that you should dispose of the extra remaining.
In most cases when you call the vet, he will tell you that you shouldn’t give your pet any medication until you talk to him first. To make a prescription, the vet will need to consult the furry patient, an element that can be inconvenient for a pet owner with a busy schedule. While you might be angered by your vet’s approach, keep in mind that prescriptions given without a consultation could aggravate your pet’s condition.
Without denying that you have limited time, take note that giving your pet medication based on hearsay presents several major risks. Let’s explore some of the cases in which your approach could place your pet’s health at risk.
1. Steroids
Unless it’s prescribed by your veterinarian, you should refrain from giving your pet any type of medication containing corticosteroids. Steroids also suppress the immune system among other bodily processes. Consequentially, in case your pet has an infection of any sort, the steroids will just make the condition worse and could prove lethal. Take note that both topical and oral steroids present the same level of risk in this case.
2. Oral antibiotics
In the event, your furry friend underwent an oral antibiotics treatment and you still have a few extra pills left, it means you chose to ignore the vet’s instructions. Let’s not forget that if you were told to give your pet the entire prescription, then it means that you shouldn’t have any leftover antibiotics.
While you might be thinking of keeping the extra just in case your pet gets sick again, in reality, you really don’t understand how antibiotics work. When the vet wrote this prescription, he recommended a specific type of antibiotic that is effective against a certain type of bacteria. Therefore, there’s a low chance that the leftovers are the ideal choice for treating another potential infection.
On a side note, not only are expired antibiotics completely useless, but they also come with a major risk: some animals are known to develop an antibiotic-resistant infection and this is a very difficult condition to treat.
3. Eye Medication
If your furry friend has experienced this eye condition before and you are 100% certain this is the prescribed medication you used in the past, then you can self-treat your pet. On the other hand, keep in mind that some eye conditions and injuries present similar symptoms. Therefore, don’t play with your pet’s eye health and take the time to run by the clinic where the vet can perform some tests.
Don’t forget that when it comes to certain eye conditions, the problems and symptoms tend to escalate fairly quickly. You can visit us at our veterinary clinic in Briarcliff Manor, New York, if your pet is due for a health checkup or for any emergency vet services.
