VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy, Author at VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy

5 Summertime Health Hazards for Dogs

The warm days of spring and summer are finally arriving. While that means more opportunities to get outside with your dogs, it also means the arrival of seasonal health concerns for pets. As you start enjoying the longer days with your dog, keep these health concerns in mind and take precautions to protect your pet.

5 Common Health Concerns for Dogs in the Summer

1. Parasites

Warmer days put pets at an increased risk of picking up fleas and ticks in addition to contracting heartworms through mosquito bites. Talk to your veterinarian about the best way to protect your pet (and your family) from these dangerous, disease-carrying pests.

2. Heatstroke

Warm weather puts dogs at risk of heatstroke. Before heading outside to play with your pet, take a moment to check the temperature and humidity level. Different breeds, weights, and ages of dogs have different heat tolerances, so it’s important to pay attention to your pet in warm weather, provide them with plenty of cool water, and make sure they have access to shade at all times.

3. Sunburn

Yes, dogs are covered in fur, but they can still get sunburnt. If you take your dog in for a haircut, be sure to leave at least an inch or more in length to help protect their skin from the sun.

4. Cars

Even on a relatively cool day (think 60 degrees and sunny), the inside of your car reaches dangerously high temperatures in a matter of minutes. You should never leave your dog unattended in your car on a sunny day. If you can’t bring your dog with you to your destination, then they are better off waiting for you at home.

5. Pavement

It’s also good to remember that the pavement can get pretty hot on a sunny day, as well, and this can put your pet’s paws at risk of burning or blistering. Invest in a pair of dog socks, go for walks in the early morning, or play in the grass.

Have a Healthy Summer With Pet Meds From VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy

Whether your pet has a prescription or is in need of a parasite preventative, the pet pharmacists at VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy are here to help you have a safe, healthy, and fun summer with your pet! We welcome you to learn more about the advantages of choosing a compounding pharmacy for your pet’s medications and to contact us to fill your pet’s prescriptions.

Can Pets Have Allergies?

Many pet parents don’t realize it, but dogs and cats can suffer from allergies just like people can.

What Are Allergies?

An allergy or allergies refers to an inappropriate immune system response that occurs as a result of the body’s exposure to an allergen (or several different allergens) which are harmless substances that the immune system mistakenly recognizes as a threat.

Signs and Symptoms of Allergies in Pets

In pets, the signs and symptoms of allergies often look a bit different than the symptoms experienced by people. While pets can experience some respiratory discomfort as a result of allergies, with sneezing, a runny nose, coughing, and/or asthma, pets most often experience symptoms that affect their skin and gastrointestinal systems.

The most common signs and symptoms of allergies in pets include:

What Causes Allergies in Pets?

There are three different types of allergies in pets that are defined by the underlying cause or type of allergen that’s causing the irritation. These include:

When diagnosing and treating allergies in pets, the first step is to determine the type of allergy the pet has.

Treating Allergies in Pets

Treatment for allergies in pets depends on the type of allergy. The best way to help your pet cope with allergies is to avoid the allergen altogether. This might include taking steps to determine the specific type of protein your pet is allergic to and providing them with an allergy-friendly diet. It might also mean keeping your pet indoors or providing them with more frequent grooming when pollen counts are high. Sometimes, however, especially with environmental allergies, avoidance isn’t entirely possible.

In these cases, your veterinarian might recommend additional treatments to help your pet get relief from symptoms with medications designed to relieve inflammation, reduce the histamine response, or control the pet’s immune system. In some cases, a veterinarian might even recommend immunotherapy injections for allergies to help improve your pet’s immune response to their specific allergens.

Managing Your Pet's Allergies With Compounded Prescription Medications

If your pet has been prescribed medications to help with allergies, our compounding pharmacy can simplify the medication administration process with pet-friendly medications. To learn more or fill your pet’s prescriptions, we welcome you to contact VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy today.

5 Tips to Keep Your Pet’s Ears Healthy

5 Tips to Keep Your Pet's Ears Healthy

Folded, floppy, hairy, or straight, we love our pets’ ears. They’re fuzzy, cute, and fun to scratch, but they can be a source of health problems for our dogs and cats when they are not properly cared for. Pet ears can attract parasites like ear mites, as well as become a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. So, maintaining your pet’s ears will maintain their health, too!

5 Things to Do to Keep Your Pet's Ears Healthy

1. Stay Dry

Pets with floppy, folded ears are more susceptible to developing ear infections as a result of moisture getting trapped in their ears. After a bath, a day at the beach, or splashing in the rain, be sure to dry your pet’s ears out by wiping them down with a soft, clean cloth.

2. Keep Clean

Add a mild ear cleaning solution to your pet’s regular grooming routine. Keeping your pet’s ears free from dirt, debris, and other buildups will help them stay healthy.

3. Drive With the Windows Up

Dogs love to hang their heads out the windows and feel the breeze in their fur, but doing so can actually result in debris getting trapped in their ears (and in their eyes and noses, too). This can increase their chances of developing infections. So, it’s best to keep the windows rolled up whenever you’re out for a drive.

4. Recognize the Signs of Infection

If your pet does develop an ear infection, it’s important to know how to recognize the signs and symptoms so that you can get them the proper treatment from your veterinarian right away. Symptoms of ear infection include:

If you notice any of these signs or symptoms in your pet, it’s best to schedule a veterinary appointment right away.

5. Talk to Your Veterinarian

If your pet suffers from frequent ear infections, they could have an underlying allergy or skin problem. Talk to your veterinarian about finding relief for your pet.

Everything You Need for Healthy Pet Ears

At VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy, we have all the products – from drops to antibiotics and antifungals – that you need to maintain your pet’s ear health. To learn more about ordering your pet’s medications and supplies from our pet pharmacy, we welcome you to contact us today.

How to Keep Your Pet Safe From Fleas and Ticks

Parasite season is upon us. On Long Island, flea and tick season usually peaks during May and June, but it starts as early as late March and can last through October. Fleas and ticks not only cause pets discomfort, but they also carry several diseases that can harm your pet’s health and that of your human family members, too! Consider the following tips to make sure your pets are protected from fleas and ticks this season.

3 Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe From Fleas and Ticks

1. Use a Parasite Preventative

Hands-down, using a parasite prevention medication is the best way to protect your pets from picking up fleas and ticks. These come in a variety of forms including topical ointments, medicated collars, and oral tablets. These need to be applied, replaced or administered at different times throughout each parasite season.

The best products for your pets depend on species, size, and the other pets in your household. Do not use parasite preventatives intended for one species on another, as this can be very dangerous for pets.

For best results, never miss a dose and carefully follow your package’s administration instructions.

2. Groom Regularly

Keep your pet’s coat free from debris and any lingering pests with regular appointments for professional brushing and bathing – or brush your pet out at home after walking in any brushy areas.

3. Avoid Parasite Paradises

During peak parasite season, it’s smart to avoid areas where parasites will be out in large numbers. Try to keep your pets out of grassy, brushy, or heavily wooded areas. Keep your lawn well-trimmed and maintain their immediate outdoor environments so they’re clean and free from debris, grass clippings, and brush, as these areas harbor fleas and ticks.

Parasite Prevention for Your Pet From VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy

If you’re looking for a high-quality parasite preventative for your pet or suggestions about the best product that will effectively protect your pet while being safe for your entire household, we welcome you to contact a pet med pharmacist at VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy. We can help you select an effective product based on your lifestyle and your pet’s species and size that will be safe for all the pets and children living in your household.

To learn more about the variety of parasite preventatives for cats and dogs, we invite you to contact us today.

Are CBD Products Good for My Pet?

Today it seems like everywhere you look — whether you’re in a pet supply store or the supplement aisle of your grocery store — there are products that contain CBD. CBD seems to be the latest craze in the health industry, but how effective is it? What’s it supposed to do? And is it actually good for our pets?

What Is CBD?

CBD is short for cannabidiol, a type of cannabinoid compound found in hemp and cannabis. CBD usually comes in the form of an oil that can be purchased as is or after it’s already incorporated into products like topicals, drops, and treats.

How Does CBD Work?

Both humans and our pets have what’s called an endocannabinoid system that’s a part of the body’s greater nervous system. When CBD is introduced into the body, it interacts with the endocannabinoid receptors to produce certain effects.

What Can CBD Do for My Pet?

More research is needed to understand all the effects, benefits, and potential downsides of giving CBD to pets. However, it is thought that CBD has several potential benefits of use in pets including:

Potential side effects of CBD in pets include:

Are CBD Pet Products Safe?

There has not yet been enough research conducted on the safety or effects of CBD use in pets, and CBD products for pets are not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As a result, no dosing information is available, and these products are not regulated. For this reason, pet owners should exercise extreme caution when administering a product containing CBD to their pets.

How to Choose a CBD Product for Your Pet

If you decide to try a CBD product for your pet, first, be sure you purchase any CBD pet products from a trusted manufacturer and ensure that they’re formulated specifically for pets. CBD products intended for human consumption might contain added ingredients that are unsafe for pets.

Although veterinarians cannot yet recommend CBD products for pets (because they are not yet FDA approved), you should check with your veterinarian to make sure the product you select is safe and won’t interfere with any of your pet’s other medications or treatments.

To learn more about CBD for pets and potential interactions with medications, we welcome you to contact VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy.

Tips for Taking Care of Your Pet’s Teeth at Home

Tips for Taking Care of Your Pet's Teeth at Home

You love your pet and want them to have the best life possible. But have you ever brushed your cat’s or dog’s teeth?

If you answered “no” then you’re like most pet parents who either don’t realize that their pets need dental care or don’t know how to provide it. However, learning how to care for your pet’s teeth is essential to their overall, ongoing health.

Why Dental Care Is So Important for Pets

By age three, an estimated 70% of cats and 80% of dogs have already developed some form of gum disease (periodontal disease). Gum disease is a bacterial infection of the gums that occurs when plaque and tartar buildup along the gum line, creating pockets where bacteria thrive.

Periodontal disease causes local problems like:

Left untreated, bacteria from periodontal disease can enter a pet’s bloodstream and wreak havoc throughout the body. So, dental care is super important for pets because dental disease can lead to several secondary illnesses in pets like liver, kidney, and heart disease, general inflammation, and respiratory illness. Eventually, unchecked periodontal disease can even cause early death.

5 Tips for Caring for Your Pet's Teeth at Home

1. Brushing

You’ll need to start brushing slowly by training your pet to simply get used to having his mouth handled and your fingers touching his teeth. Be sure to use a toothbrush or finger brush designed for your pet (species and size) and toothpaste formulated for pets. Focus only on the outside surfaces of your pet’s teeth and provide plenty of treats and love to make teeth brushing a positive experience.

2. Dental Wipes

If your pet won’t accept a toothbrush, you can remove some plaque from their teeth with pet dental wipes.

3. Treats and Chews

Give your pet dental-friendly treats and chew toys.

4. Veterinary Oral Health Council

Look for VOHC-approved products.

5. Professional Cleaning

Okay, you can’t do this one at home, but pets can benefit greatly from professional teeth cleaning. Ask your veterinarian about pet dental appointments during your pet’s next wellness exam.

Post Pet Dental Prescriptions the Way Your Pet Prefers

If your pet has recently had a dental exam, they might require a prescription for antibiotics and/or anti-inflammatory medications. At VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy, we can fill your pet’s prescription in a way that makes it a breeze to administer. With medicine in tasty treats, your pet will enjoy taking the medicine they need to stay healthy!

Are Grain-Free Diets Healthy for Dogs?

Choosing the right pet food can be one of the most difficult choices you make for your dog. Over the last several years, grain-free pet foods gained popularity through clever marketing, but grain-free dog food might actually be making our dogs sick.

The Troubling Reality of Grain-Free Dog Food

As grain-free pet foods became increasingly popular, veterinarians noticed that they were diagnosing more dogs with a heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) which is characterized by stretching, thinning, and weakening of the heart muscle. DCM hinders the heart’s ability to pump blood. Although some breeds have a genetic predisposition to developing DCM, veterinarians were diagnosing the condition frequently in dogs with no predisposition. Veterinarians began to wonder what was causing the rise in DCM diagnoses.

The FDA Investigates Grain-Free Dog Food

The FDA opened up an investigation in response to the increasing DCM diagnoses.

After collecting reports from veterinarians and pet owners, the FDA found that 90% of dogs diagnosed with DCM were eating grain-free pet food and 93% were on a grain-free diet that contained peas, lentils, or other legumes as one of the top ingredients.

The FDA looked at the foods the pets were eating and tested them for minerals, amino acids, and metals and found no surprises or abnormalities.

So, Is Grain-Free Bad for Dogs?

Although there seems to be a pretty strong link between grain-free diets and DCM, more research is needed to understand exactly how grain-free diets are affecting dogs’ hearts. However, it seems that legumes (frequently used as a replacement for grains) might be blocking dogs’ ability to use the amino acid, taurine.

When taken off the grain-free diet and given a taurine supplement, dogs diagnosed with DCM can improve. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for all dogs, as some continue to worsen even after their diets are changed and supplemented.

Are Grains Harmful to Dogs?

Although the findings regarding grain-free diets are so far inconclusive, there is no evidence that diets containing some grains, like rice or corn, are harmful to dogs. So, there’s truly no reason – other than flashy marketing – to choose a grain-free diet for your pet.

When choosing a proper diet for your pet, the best place to start is with your veterinarian. They can recommend a healthy diet based on your pet’s species, breed, size, age, and condition. As a result, you can feel confident every time you fill your pet’s bowl that they’ll be receiving the healthy blend of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fats that they need to achieve optimal wellness.

Arthritis Relief for Pets: How to Manage Arthritis in Cats and Dogs

With increasingly effective veterinary care, our pets are living longer than ever. This is great news for pet parents, but as a result, many pets are suffering from more age-related diseases. One of the most common ailments in older cats and dogs is arthritis which causes pain and limits a pet’s mobility. Although arthritis is a chronic condition, meaning it can’t be cured, there are plenty of options for managing the disease’s progression and its symptoms.

7 Ways to Manage Arthritis in Cats and Dogs

1. Pain Medications

The most common and effective pain management tools are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications formulated specifically for dogs and cats. (Remember that human pain medications are toxic for pets!)

2. Nutritional Supplements

A long list of nutritional supplements has also been shown to be beneficial in slowing the progression of arthritis and/or mitigating its symptoms. Ask your veterinarian about:

3. Weight Control

Managing a pet’s weight to prevent extra wear and tear on joints is essential to preventing and managing arthritis. Talk with your veterinarian about whether a special or prescription pet diet could help your pet.

4. Exercise

When it comes to exercise, you don’t want to overdo it with an older pet. But it’s still important to get some gentle physical activity every day.

5. Physical Therapy Treatment Modalities

Physical therapy and its vast selection of treatment modalities are some of the best ways to help your pet with arthritis. Pets can enjoy the amazing health benefits of treatments and therapies like:

6. Surgery

Depending on a pet’s condition, joint replacement surgery might be the most-effective treatment option.

7. Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cell therapy is a promising new arthritis treatment. Injected with stem cells, a pet’s joints can regenerate new cartilage, repairing arthritic joints.

Easy-to-Administer Supplements and Medications for Dogs and Cats

Once you have a solid plan for managing your pet’s arthritis pain, our experts at VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy can help you get the high-quality medications and supplements your pet needs in an easy-to-administer form. Whether your pet will benefit from medications, vitamins, and nutrients formulated into chewy treats, a liquid, a topical, or another form, our compounding pharmacy is fully equipped to get your pet fast relief without any of the fuss or difficulty of administering basic pet meds. To learn more, contact our Ronkonkoma pet pharmacy today!

Winter Skin Care Tips for Pets

6 Winter Skin Care Tips for Pets

When cold weather arrives in the winter, we blast our furnaces, and this combination of cold, dry air outside and hot, dry air inside wreaks havoc on our skin and hair. Despite their fuzzy, protective coats, the drop in temperature and humidity can also cause cats and dogs quite a bit of discomfort. As a result of winter weather, pets can experience dry, flaky, and itchy skin in addition to a dull coat.

Thankfully, there are plenty of simple things you can do to help protect your pet’s skin and coat from the harsh winter weather and soothe any irritation so they can comfortably snuggle up with you in front of the fireplace.

6 Tips for Soothing Your Pet's Irritated Winter Skin

1. Dietary Adjustments

If you notice that your pet’s coat seems dull or observe your pet scratching more than normal, talk with your veterinarian about possibly adjusting your pet’s diet. Your veterinarian will help you rule out any other potential causes of itchiness, such as indoor allergies, and might recommend adding an omega 3 fatty acid supplement to your pet’s health regimen.

2. Better Bathtime

It’s best to reduce your pet’s baths as much as possible, as frequent bathing can lead to further skin irritation and drying. When you do bathe your pet, use a conditioning shampoo that’s designed to soothe sensitive skin. Always be sure your pet’s completely dry before heading outside for any cold-weather walks.

3. Continue Brushing

Regular brushing not only keeps your pet’s coat free from debris, reducing the number of necessary baths, but it also stimulates your pet’s skin, improving circulation and overall condition.

4. Run a Humidifier

If your furnace runs frequently, run a humidifier in your home to maintain a reasonable level of moisture in the air.

5. Wipe Paws

Always wash and wipe down your pet’s paws after coming in from a winter walk. This will ensure your pet’s paws are free from any irritating or possibly toxic salts and deicers that are used on the sidewalks.

6. Condition Paws

Apply a pet-safe paw balm to the pads of your pet’s paws to keep them conditioned and mitigate irritation.

Simple Solutions for Your Long Island Pet's Winter Skin Care Needs

Whether you’re considering a special coat conditioner, paw balm, or a dietary supplement to help soothe your pet’s dry, irritated winter skin, our pet care experts at VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy are here to help. To learn more about dietary supplements and winter skincare solutions for pets, we welcome you to contact our pet pharmacy today.

A Therapeutic Diet Might Be the Best Medicine for Your Pet

Although therapeutic, or prescription, pet diets aren’t always intended to replace a pet’s medication, they are designed to address health concerns from a very basic level. Just like people managing various health conditions might adjust their diets to limit their sugar or salt intake, reduce their cholesterol, or increase the level of antioxidants in the body, pets can benefit from eating a specialized diet, too! In fact, pets with certain health conditions often experience a major impact from simply switching to a therapeutic diet prescribed by a veterinarian.

What Is Prescription Pet Food?

A prescription pet food is a food that has been specially formulated to address the unique nutritional needs of pets living with chronic diseases. These formulations are researched, developed, and tested extensively for efficacy much in the same way as prescription medications are evaluated.

While you can find specially formulated pet foods (for weight management, puppies, senior pets, and dental health) on the shelf at the pet store, therapeutic pet foods differ from regular pet foods available over the counter, as they are only available to cats and dogs with a prescription from a veterinarian.

Are Therapeutic Pet Foods Effective?

When correctly prescribed to address a specific condition in a dog or cat, therapeutic pet foods do work. For example, prescription diets have been developed to specifically address the different types of kidney stones that affect pets. These diets alter the acidity of the pet’s urine to dissolve the specific type of stone causing distress.

Will All Pets Benefit from a Therapeutic Diet?

All cats and dogs will benefit from high-quality pet foods and eating a well-balanced diet with all the nutrition they need to function properly and achieve optimal health. However, not all pets require a prescription pet food. Therapeutic diets are specially formulated to meet the unique nutritional needs of cats and dogs living with chronic health problems such as:

If your pet’s living with a chronic or systemic disease, your veterinarian might recommend introducing a therapeutic diet to address your pet’s ongoing disease and pain management.

Fill Your Pet's Prescription at VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy

Whether your pet has a prescription for therapeutic food or simply requires his medication in a specific form, VetMedics Compounding Pharmacy on Long Island can meet your needs. Our compounding pharmacy specializes in optimizing pet care with compounded pharmaceuticals. To learn more, contact us today.