Tablet Splitting

The economy being what it is, people are turning more and more to splitting tablets as a way to save money. This trend is not just for medicines that the pet owner may be using, but also for they way in which the pet owner is giving their dog or cat the medication prescribed by the veterinarian.

What is tablet splitting? Let's say the pet is taking 5 mg of a medication that is also available as a 10 mg tablet. Both tablets cost the same, so the client convinces the veterinarian to write for the 10 mg tablet to give 1/2 of a tablet to the pet. On the surface this can appear to be a money-saving strategy, but is it?

Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Medical Association, and other medical organizations have begun to advise against this practice unless it's specified in the drug's labeling.

Why is tablet splitting not always a safe practice?

• The medicine may not be evenly distributed in each half of the tablet. Even if the tablet has a score (a line that runs down the tablet), each half of the tablet, even if they look the same, may not contain equal amounts of medication. One half may contain more medication and the other half less medication.
• Not all pills are safe to split. Capsules, time-release drugs (ER, XR, TD), and tablets with special coatings, such as enteric coated (EC) tablets should always be swallowed whole.
• Some tablets, especially if they are too small, have an unusual shape, or are soft enough that they would crumble easily, should not be split.
• There is a possibilty that the owner can forget to split the pill and give the full (double strength) dose to the pet.

The FDA has approved drugs where tablet splitting is part of the manufacturer's drug application. According to Mansoor Khan, Ph.D., Director of the Division of Product Quality Research in FDA's Office of Pharmaceutical Science, "FDA does not encourage the practice of tablet splitting unless it's specified in the drug's professional prescribing information. If a patient is considering splitting a tablet, FDA recommends that the patient get advice from his or her doctor or pharmacist to determine whether it is appropriate or not for a particular drug." Obviously, for medication we are giving our pets, we would check with the veterinarian or pharmacist.

For further information featuring the latest on all FDA-regulated proucts, check the FDA's Consumer Updates page.

FURminator

1-800-PetMeds now stocks the FURminator deShedding tool for cats and dogs. This is an easy to use grooming tool that can be used on long haired or short haired breeds of cats and dogs.

FURminator deShedding tool is guaranteed to reduce shedding better than any brush, comb, or rake. Made with a stainless steel de-shedding edge, it will pick up the pet's hair before your vacuum or broom will have to.

Flea and Tick Products

In response to the advisory from EPA regarding potential side effects from the use of flea and tick products on dogs and cats, the ASPCA released a statement on June 5th, 2009 supporting the continued use of these products with the advice to read and follow labeled directions especially when using these products on cats.

EPA Flea and Tick Information

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently evaluating spot-on pesticide products for flea and tick control due to recent increases in the number of reported adverse reactions in pets treated with these products.

The types of adverse reactions reported included mild effects such as skin irritation to more serious effects such as seizures, and in some cases, death of the pet.

Fleas and ticks can transmit disease, therefore use of a flea and tick preventative is appropriate for protecting the pet's and the family's health. Many people have used these products with no harm to the pet, yet pet owners should take certain precautions when using these products:

• Consult your veterinarian:

Before use on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to pesticide products, and
If your pet experiences an adverse effect.

• If you use a spot-on product or any other pesticide on you pet, carefully read and follow the product label
• Use flea and tick control products only on the animal specified by the product label. For example, dog products for dogs only and cat products for cats only.
• Follow any label prohibitions against use on weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown sensitivity to pesticide products.
• Apply only the amount indicated for the size of the animal being treated.
• Do not apply to kittens or puppies unless the product label specifically allows this treatment. Pay attention to age restrictions for puppies and kittens on the label.
• Monitor your pet for side effects or signs of sensitivity after applying the product, particularly when using the product on your pet for the first time. Do not apply spot-ons to pets known to be sensitive to pesticide products.
• If your pet experiences an adverse reaction, immediately bathe the pet with mild soap and rinse with large amounts of water.
• Keep the package with the product container (such as individual applicator tubes). Also keep the package after treatment in case adverse effects occur. You will want to have the instructions at hand, as well as contact information for the manufacturer.
  

To report an adverse incident:

• Keep the package with the product container (such as individual applicator tubes). Also keep the package after treatment in case adverse effects occur. The package contains the product label, which includes important information such as the EPA registration number and contact information for the manufacturer.

• Report any adverse effects to the manufacturer, who is required by law to report it to EPA. Contact information can be found on the product label. In addition, you may report the incident to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), 1-800-858-7378

• Encourage your veterinarian to use NPIC’s Veterinary Pesticide Adverse Effects Reporting portal at http://npic.orst.edu/vet to report any incidents. This portal is not for use by the public.

For further information, the EPA has answers to some frequently asked questions.

New Treatment for Cushing's Disease

Vetoryl (trilostane), which had been available only on the European market, is now FDA approved for use in the United States. I'm pleased to announce that Vetoryl is available, by prescription, at 1-800-PetMeds. Vetoryl is currently available as 30 mg and 60 mg capsules only.

Vetoryl is used in the treatment of pituitary dependent hyperadrencorticism (Cushing's disease of pituitary origin). Vetoryl is a unique approach to the treatment of Cushing's disease, in that the medication acts by blocking a specific enzyme which in turn causes a significant reduction in serum cortisol.

What is some important information to know about Vetoryl:

• Vetoryl is for use in dogs only.
• Vetoryl should be given once a day with food.
• Do not split, open or divide the capsule.
• Vetoryl should not be given to pregnant dogs, nursing dogs, or dogs intended for breeding.

National Pet Dental Health Month (continued)

Stinky pet breath is a symptom that can be due to a number of possible causes including:

• Bacteria and food particles stuck in the pet's mouth.
• The pet's diet.
• Eating disorders such as coprophagia (eating feces)
• Kidney disease
• Lung disease
• Mouth tumors

Getting into a routine of regularly brushing the pet's teeth using a product such as C.E.T Toothpaste, specifically formulated for pets, is the first step in promoting a healthy mouth. Regular annual dental visits can spot any symptoms of disease early.

When beginning a regular brushing program use a tooth wipe or finger toothbrush for the first couple of weeks and then begin using a tooth brush once your pet is comfortable with the process.

PetHealth101 is an excellent resource for articles on how to brush your pet's teeth.

National Pet Dental Health Month

February, 2009 is designated as National Pet Dental Health Month.

Why is our pet's dental health so important? Consider that without proper dental care, by the age of three, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats will have some form of dental disease. Regular annual veterinary visits are important to ensure that the pet's teeth and mouth are healthy and disease free.

To supplement annual visits to your veterinarian, it's a good idea to follow a 3 step dental health program:

• Step 1 - regularly brush your pet's teeth.
• Step 2 - use a dental rinse or add a dental solution to the pet's drinking water.
• Step 3 - regularly provide dental treats especially if brushing cannot be done.
  

Make 1-800-PetMeds your source for quality pet dental care products.