Veterinary Pharmacology

Indications

Reasons for administering a drug to treat a specific condition in an animal

Contraindications

Factors or conditions that make the use of a particular drug inadvisable or dangerous for an animal

Prescription drugs

Medications regulated by the FDA and labeled for use by licensed veterinarians

Veterinarian-client relationship

The legal and professional bond between a veterinarian and a client, where the vet assumes clinical responsibility and the client agrees to follow instructions

Regimen

A plan for administering drugs, specified on the medication label

Route of administration

The method by which a drug is introduced into the body, such as oral, intravenous, or intramuscular

Dosage

The amount of a drug to be given to an animal based on its weight and condition

Frequency

How often a drug should be administered to an animal

Duration

The length of time for which a drug should be given to an animal

T.I.D

Abbreviation for 'ter in die,' meaning three times a day

Q.I.D

Abbreviation for 'quater in die,' meaning four times a day

B.I.D

Abbreviation for 'bis in die,' meaning two times a day

Pharmacokinetics

The study of how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted in an animal's body

Oral (PO)

A method of drug administration through the mouth, which may not be effective if the animal is vomiting or has diarrhea

Intravenous (IV)

A method of drug administration directly into the veins, leading to rapid drug effect

Intramuscular (IM)

A method of drug administration into the muscle, resulting in slower absorption than intravenous administration

Subcutaneous (SQ or SC)

A method of drug administration into the tissue beneath the skin

Intradermal (ID)

A method of drug administration into the skin, often used for allergy testing

Intraarterial (IA)

A method of drug administration into an artery

Intraarticular

A method of drug administration into a joint

Intracardiac

A method of drug administration into the heart, often used for euthanasia or CPR

Intramedullary

A method of drug administration into the bone marrow cavity

Epidural/subdural

A method of drug administration into the spine or near the spine

Nebulizer

A device for inhaling drugs in a fine mist, often used for respiratory conditions

Metered-dose inhaler

A hand-held device for administering drugs to the nose and mouth, often used for respiratory conditions

Anesthetic gases

Gaseous forms of anesthetics given with vaporizers to induce and maintain anesthesia

Transdermal (or topical)

Drugs applied to the skin, allowing slow absorption over time

Concentration gradient

The movement of drugs from one body compartment to another, driven by differences in drug concentration

Bioavailability

The measure of the amount of a drug that is absorbed and available to produce an effect in the body

Water-soluble drugs

Drugs that dissolve in water and tend to stay in the bloodstream

Lipid-soluble drugs

Drugs that are absorbed by bodily fats and tend to move out of the bloodstream

Placenta

An organ connecting the fetus to the mother's uterus, which may interfere with drug absorption

Blood-brain barrier

A barrier preventing certain substances, including drugs, from entering the brain tissues

Drug excretion

The removal of drugs from the body through various organs and systems, such as the liver, kidneys, and sweat glands

Residues

Drugs that appear in an animal's milk or meat products, potentially causing allergic reactions or antibiotic resistance in humans

Pharmacodynamics

The study of how drugs produce physiological changes in the body

Efficacy

The degree to which a drug produces its desired effect in an animal

Potency

The amount of a drug needed to produce a specific effect in an animal

Lethal dose (LD50)

The dose of a drug that is lethal to 50% of animals given that drug

Effective dose (ED50)

The dose of a drug that produces the desired effect in 50% of animals given that drug

Therapeutic index

The ratio of the lethal dose to the effective dose of a drug, indicating its safety margin

Adverse drug reaction

Any undesired or harmful response to a drug in an animal

Formulary

A book containing information on drug dosages and adverse reactions

Controlled substance

A drug regulated by the DEA due to its potential for human abuse

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The regulatory body that oversees the development and approval of animal topical pesticides

Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)

The regulatory body that oversees substances with potential for human abuse

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

The regulatory body that oversees the development and approval of biologics for animals

Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA)

Legislation that legalizes the extra-label use of approved veterinary drugs under defined conditions

Six rights of administration

The principles of ensuring the right patient, drug, dose, route, time, and documentation when administering medications to animals

Oral medications

Medications that come in forms such as tablets, suspensions, and capsules for oral administration to animals

Syringes

Devices used for administering oral medications, available in various types such as slip tip, luer lock, eccentric tip, and catheter tip

IV catheter

A device used for repetitive intravenous medication administration in animals

Tranquilizers

Compounds used to calm or quiet animals, often used for sedation or anxiety relief

Neuroleptanalgesics

Combination drugs containing an opioid and a tranquilizer, used for reducing awareness and providing analgesia in animals

Behavioral pharmacotherapy

The use of drugs to treat behavioral problems in animals, such as anxiety or aggression

Antianxiety medications

Drugs used to relieve anxiety in animals, promoting a sense of calm and relaxation

Antidepressant medications

Medications used to treat a variety of medical conditions in animals, including depression and anxiety disorders

Serotonin-reuptake inhibitors

Drugs that increase the amount of serotonin in the brain, used to treat mood disorders in animals

Monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors

Drugs that block the enzyme monoamine oxidase, used to treat neurological and behavioral disorders in animals

Inotropic drugs

Medications that affect the strength of heart contractions in animals, used to treat heart conditions

Chronotropic drugs

Medications that affect the heart rate in animals, used to regulate heart rhythm and function

Emetics

Drugs that induce vomiting in animals, used to remove toxic substances from the stomach

Antiemetics

Drugs that help control or prevent vomiting in animals, providing relief from nausea and motion sickness

Hemantics

Iron supplements used to help correct anemia in animals, promoting healthy red blood cell production

Anticoagulant

A drug that prevents the formation of blood clots in animals, used to treat or prevent clotting disorders

Laxatives

Medications given to stimulate bowel movements in animals, relieving constipation and promoting regularity

Anti-acids

Medications that neutralize stomach acid in animals, used to treat gastric ulcers and acid reflux

Antitussives

Drugs that suppress or inhibit coughing in animals, providing relief from respiratory irritation

Expectorants

Drugs that reduce the adhesiveness of mucus in animals, promoting the expulsion of mucus from the respiratory tract

Mucolytics

Drugs that affect the chemical composition of mucus in animals, making it easier to clear from the respiratory system

Decongestants

Drugs that eliminate or reduce nasal congestion in animals, providing relief from respiratory congestion

Corticosteroids

Drugs used to treat respiratory conditions due to allergies in animals, reducing inflammation and allergic reactions

Acetylcholine

A neurotransmitter that enables learning, memory, and muscle contraction in animals

Anticholinergics

Drugs that decrease gastrointestinal motility, dry secretions, dilate pupils, and prevent/treat bradycardia in animals

Adrenergic agents

Drugs that stimulate heart beats, correct hypotension, cause vasodilation, and treat urinary incontinence in animals

Barbiturates

Drugs that depress the central nervous system in animals, used for sedation and anesthesia

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Drugs providing mild pain relief and anti-inflammatory benefits in animals, used for pain management and reducing inflammation

Synthetic progestins

Medications used to treat behavioral problems associated with changing hormonal levels in animals, such as estrus-related behaviors

Euthanasia agents

Drugs used to relieve suffering by ending an animal's life in a humane and painless manner

Antidiuretic hormones

Medications used to treat diabetes insipidus in animals, promoting water reabsorption in the kidneys

Urinary acidifiers

Drugs used to lower the pH of urine in animals, preventing the formation of certain types of urinary stones

Urinary alkalinizers

Drugs used to raise the pH of urine in animals, promoting the dissolution of certain types of urinary stones

Urinary incontinence

The inability of an animal to control urination, often requiring medical management

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs)

Substances used to manage interstitial cystitis in animals, promoting bladder health and reducing inflammation

Catecholamines

Drugs that act by stimulating the sympathetic nervous system in animals, regulating heart rate and blood pressure

Bipyridine derivatives

Drugs that inhibit enzymes leading to increased cellular calcium in animals, used to treat heart failure and arrhythmias

Surfactants

Drugs that reduce water surface tension to soften gastrointestinal contents in animals, promoting easier passage of ingested material

Protectants

Drugs that coat the intestines and relieve inflammation in animals, used to treat gastrointestinal disorders

Adsorbents

Drugs that bind with bacteria or toxins to protect against harmful effects in animals, used to manage certain types of poisoning

Anti-inflammatory drugs

Medications used to decrease inflammation in the intestinal walls of animals, treating conditions such as colitis and enteritis

GI prokinetics/stimulants

Drugs that increase the motility of the gastrointestinal system in animals, promoting digestive function and movement of ingested material

Bulk-producing agents

Drugs that absorb water and swell to increase the bulk of intestinal contents in animals, promoting regular bowel movements

Fecal examination

A test to rule out parasites as the cause of gastrointestinal symptoms in animals, aiding in the diagnosis of digestive disorders

Prostaglandin E-1 analogs

Drugs used to decrease stomach acid production and protect the stomach lining in animals, treating gastric ulcers and related conditions

Endocrine System

The system that regulates various bodily processes, including heart rate, metabolism, and skin condition in animals

Ophthalmic drugs

Medications used to treat eye problems in animals, such as infections, inflammation, and glaucoma

Otic drugs

Medications used to treat ear problems in animals, such as infections, inflammation, and ear mites

Dermatophyte test

A test to detect fungal agents using a woods lamp, aiding in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis in animals

Seborrhea

A skin condition resulting in increased scaling and oiliness, often requiring medical management in animals

Keratolytic

An agent promoting the loosening of the epidermis to remove scaling in animals, used to treat conditions such as seborrhea