Frequently Asked Questions

We are commonly asked many questions by veterinarians who are facing difficult treatment issues, or who are interested in using our services. This is a list of many of these common issues. If you have a question which is not answered here, please use our on-line veterinary prescription information request form.

We use a lot of metronidazole in our practice. Is there any way to flavor this drug so it is more readily accepted by an animal?

I would like to use piroxicam in a cat. Are you able to compound small doses of this medication?

We have used apomorphine in tablet form in the past for the induction of vomiting in dogs. Are you able to compound this product?

Can any drug be put into one of your chewable tablets?

I have been treating several rabbits with enrofloxacin (Baytril®) tablets. The tablet size and poor solubility in liquids makes administration very difficult for clients. Are there any alternatives?

How does your pharmacy bill for medications?

We use a lot of metronidazole in our practice. Is there any way to flavor this drug so it is more readily accepted by an animal?

Yes. Metronidazole itself is a very bitter drug that can be difficult to administer to an animal, especially cats. Metronidazole in its benzoate form, however, is tasteless. This allows us to use it in suspension or in chewable tablet form with far greater palatability. In cats, however, there is concern over using the benzoate form of metronidazole because of its attached benzene ring moiety. Over time, benzoates can accumulate and cause toxicity in this species. In general, the sicker the cat or the higher the dose, the greater potential there is for toxicity. Use of the benzoate form in cats often comes down to a benefit versus risk issue. Using the drug for short periods of time is usually acceptable, especially if the drug can not be given any other way. Another alternative is to compound plain metronidazole in capsule form. Since the capsule itself is tasteless, some people find it easier to pill their cat with this form rather than a bitter tablet.

I would like to use piroxicam in a cat. Are you able to compound small doses of this medication?

Yes. Piroxicam is available commercially in 10mg and 20mg capsules and is commonly used to treat transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in cats and dogs. The usual dose is 0.3mg/kg daily to every other day. We can compound this medication at a custom dose for a particular animal. We also have misoprostil (Cytotec®) available for use in conjunction with piroxicam. If you are interested in more information on the use of piroxicam in animals, please e-mail us.

We have used apomorphine in tablet form in the past for the induction of vomiting in dogs. Are you able to compound this product?

Yes. We compound apomorphine in capsule form (7mg per capsule). The capsule can easily be opened and the contents dissolved in a suitable liquid (sterile water or normal saline). This solution can then be used in the eye to induce vomiting. Once the desired effect is achieved, the eye can be flushed to remove the medication. There is no minimum order amount on this particular item. We will happily supply you with any quantity your clinic needs.

Can any drug be put into one of your chewable tablets?

No. Unfortunately, not all drugs are amenable to the use of chewable tablets. Chewable tablets are not recommended for treatments that require large amounts of active drug or for drugs that have a particularly bitter taste. Our most popular chewables include methimazole (Tapazole®), diethylstilbestrol (DES), buspirone (Buspar®), and metronidazole (up to 60mg).

I have been treating several rabbits with enrofloxacin (Baytril®) tablets. The tablet size and poor solubility in liquids makes administration very difficult for clients. Are there any alternatives?

We can compound enrofloxacin into a very palatable liquid formulation for rabbits. The concentration can be adjusted based on the dose of enrofloxacin required. The suspension is stable for 30 days and can be kept out of the refrigerator.

How does your pharmacy bill for medications?

We have two billing options available for your convenience. Upon receipt of an order for a compounded medication, we will either ship the item directly to you and bill your clinic, or alternatively, we will ship the item directly to the client along with the bill. If you choose to have the medication billed to your clinic, we will set up an account and you will receive a monthly statement from us. Please let us know when ordering which option you prefer.