OVER-THE-COUNTER HUMAN MEDICATIONS IN SMALL ANIMALS - PART-II - ANALGESIC, RESPIRATORY, AND DERMATOLOGICAL DRUGS

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can be recommended for use by a small ani mal veterinarian or used empirically by clients who attempt to diagnos e and treat their own pets. Among the risks associated with such treat ment are the therapeutic and toxic ingredients that can be present in similarly:packaged :products. :Practitioners who identify and write do wn the active ingredient and exact concentration required,(the OTC pre scription) can-help to prevent, this potential problem. Clients can be nefit from consultations with pharmacists and should be urged to confi rm that they have selected a product with the correct active ingredien t and no unwanted ingredients. Drugs approved for veterinary use shoul d be considered before recommending OTC drugs in an extralabel fashion . Financial benefits for drug-manufacturers as well as the willingness of the public to medicate itself have increased the number of availab le OTC drugs. Part I of this two-part article supplied a review of the OTC agents that are frequently encountered in canine and feline gastr oenterology, urology, and ophthalmology. This second part discusses so me of the most common OTC analgesic, respiratory, and dermatologic dru gs that are used to treat small animal patients.