From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2007-09-20 18:34:06 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Giving meds
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Just some general info:
There is NOT one size all to fit how to handle meds so it is always good to ask a vet or --
better yet since it is their specialty -- the pharmacist when you ge the meds as
prescriptions what NOT to do.
For example some meds can NOT be given with water or exposed to saliva without
reducing their effectiveness. Other meds can NOT be given with oils for the same reasons.
Some foods (like grapefruit juice which increases the effects of many meds, milk when
calcium affects some meds,high iron content foods when that affects some meds, etc.),
supplements, herbs, or other meds (like Carafate for a number of meds) can not be given
at the same time as some meds. In fact, some just plain need to be avoided at any time
when certain meds are taken.
Some meds should never be refrigerated (actually quite a number of them); others need to
be refrigerated.
Some need to be protected from heat.
Some need to be shielded from light.
Some need protection from humidity.
Some (like Carafate caplets though I prefer the pediatric liquid version) are make with
capillaries to soak up fluid so should not be crushed.
If a pill is not scored then in manufacture there are NOT measures taken to be sure the
med is evenly distributed throughout. So, pills which are scored can be cut with
confidence that the med is well enough distributed, but the ones which are not scored
need to be crushed, dissolved, or otherwise broken up extremely well (depending on what
the pharmacist says about the med) then mixed up well, then carefully divided. If the
amount is small see if you can buy some graduated vials to use and a tiny chemical
spatula is a marvel in those situations.
In saying these things I am just echoing the past posts of some current and past members
who were or are pharmacists or pharmacological researchers, though in some cases i also
had heard these things from other experts. You can find such posts in the FHL Archives.
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