Compounding for Pets: How It Works With Your Veterinarian

The short answer: veterinary compounding means preparing a prescription medication for one animal, from your veterinarian's prescription, when a commercial product doesn't fit. Your veterinarian decides the medication, strength, dosage form and directions. We prepare it and explain how to give it and store it.

Why a veterinarian might prescribe a compounded medication

Commercial veterinary and human products come in set strengths and forms. A veterinarian may prescribe a compounded version when:

• The strength the animal needs is not made commercially
• The animal cannot take the commercial form, such as a tablet
• The animal needs to avoid an ingredient in the commercial product, such as a dye or sweetener
• A product has been discontinued or is on backorder

Dosage forms

Depending on the prescription, a compounded pet medication may be an oral liquid, a capsule, a chewable, a topical cream or ointment, or a gel applied to the skin. Your veterinarian chooses the form. Not every medication works in every form, so call us to ask whether a form is available for your pet's prescription.

Flavoring

Flavoring can be added when your veterinarian allows it. Your veterinarian may note a flavor on the prescription. Some flavorings and sweeteners are not safe for some animals (for example, xylitol is toxic to dogs), so we check every flavoring against the prescription.

How to get a compounded medication for your pet

1. Your veterinarian examines your pet and writes a prescription.
2. Your veterinarian sends it to us by phone, fax or e-prescribing.
3. We prepare the medication under USP <795> and label it with your pet's name and your veterinarian's directions.
4. You pick it up at our West LA pharmacy, or we deliver or ship within California.

Safety reminders

• Give the medication exactly as your veterinarian directs. Call your veterinarian with questions about your pet's response.
• Never give your pet a human medication unless your veterinarian tells you to. Some common human medicines are toxic to pets.
• Store the medication as the label says, out of reach of children and other animals.
• If the medication is a controlled substance, keep it in a secure place and ask us how to dispose of any that is left over. Do not flush it or share it.

Questions about a veterinary prescription? Call a pharmacist at 424-228-1049.