4 – All About Pets Lethbridge Herald


Tips to make your home more


By Metro News M


illions of people cannot imagine life at home without their cats. Cats make wonderful pets,


bringing their own unique personality into a home and providing companionship to their owners.


As great as cats are, millions still enter


animal shelters every year. According to the ASPCA, roughly half of the 6.5 million companion animals that enter United States animal shelters each year are cats. And while figures are thankfully on the decline, hundreds of thousands of


those cats end up being euthanized. Local animal shelters are home to many cats that would make great pets, and prospective cat owners are urged to visit such shelters to find cats that would make welcome additions to their homes. Continued on page 5


Customized Veterinary Compounding


The practice of pharmacy compounding is becoming a popular solution to veterinary problems. Compounding is the art and science of preparing customized medications for patients. It provides valuable benefits to today's pet owners.


The Compounding Solution


As any pet owner is well aware, animals may be extremely difficult to treat with medications. Cats are notorious for refusing to swallow a pill. Dosages can be very tricky with dogs-an antibiotic that works for a Golden Retriever is too much for a Yorkie. Humans and their animals often have variations of the same including diseases, skin rashes, heart conditions,eye and ear infections, cancer and diabetes. Pet medications present unique challenges that are often best dealt with through custom compounding. Dogs and cats don't appreciate many of the unflavoured medicines but don't mind a small dose of a beef flavoured suspension. By working closely with your veterinarian, a compounding pharmacist can prepare medicines into easy-to-give flavoured dosage forms that animals will accept, whether your pet is a cat, dog, ferret, bird,hamster, lizard or snake.


Solving Dosage Problems


The animals we love come in different sizes and shapes and so do commercial medicines. Commercial medicine often comes in large tablets or capsules. But a small animal may need a very small dose. That's where compounding can be especially helpful. In this situation, your veterinarian can prescribe a flavoured suspension with an amount that is exactly right for your pet's size and condition.


Commercially Unavailable Medicine Medications used in veterinary applications are often discontinued by the manufacturer. When that medication has worked well for animals, a compounding pharmacist can often source the drug in powder form and compound a customized formulation in place of the discontinued product at a dosage strength and dose form appropriate for that pet's specific needs.


For more information regarding specialty compounding, Contact us at Stafford Pharmacy & Home Healthcare


#5 1475 Saint Edward Boulevard North • www.staffordpharmacy.com • 403-320-6500


“Veterinary compounding... making medication a treat for your pet.” We have prepared


Medications for a variety of animal species:


• Dogs • Cats • Ferrets • Hedgehogs • Guinea Pigs • Hamsters • Reptiles • Amphibians


WE ARE YOUR FULL SERVICE PHARMACY SERVING YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY


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