Introduction to Drugs and Vaccines

If your pet has been diagnosed with a condition or disease that can be managed or cured, your veterinarian will discuss treatment options. He or she will recommend drugs that are necessary, safe, and effective for both the individual animal and the specific disor

A wide range of dosage formulations and delivery systems has been developed to provide for the care and welfare of animals. Using the correct dosage is very important in terms of effectiveness and safety. Drug treatment and delivery strategies can be complicated

An important aspect of medical treatment is the effect the treatment will have on the fetus or newborn when given to a pregnant or lactating animal. Many drugs are capable of crossing the placenta and affecting the fetus. Certain antibiotic drugs are toxic to a f

Antibiotic drugs are commonly used in veterinary medicine to treat infectious diseases that are caused by bacteria and certain other microorganisms. There are many different classes of antibiotics available for use in animals, including penicillins, cephalosporin

Many of the drugs used to treat heart disease in animals are the same medications used in people.

A wide variety of drugs can be used to treat disorders of the digestive tract, including ones that affect the rate of movement of food through the intestines, antibiotics, drugs to suppress or induce vomiting, and drugs to treat ulcers or diarrhea.

There are several categories of drugs used to treat disorders of the nervous system: anticonvulsants; tranquilizers, sedatives, and analgesics; and psychotropic agents.

The 3 primary methods of administering medications to the eye are topical, local ocular (such as under the conjunctival tissue or into the vitreous portion of the eye), and systemic (given by mouth or injection). The most appropriate method of administration depe

Drugs that affect skeletal muscle function fall into several categories. Some, such as neuromuscular blocking agents

The immune system protects the body against “foreign invaders” such as bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause disease. Certain proteins and other molecules of these invaders are known as antigens, and the immune-system defenses of the body respond to antigens by producing antibodies (