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Medications are used to treat or prevent diseases. Some medications
cure disease, while others are palliative: they relieve symptoms
without treating the underlying cause.
A medication is a substance that affects the function of living
cells. Some medications (antibiotics) work to inhibit the growth
of, or kill, pathogens. Others (e.g., glucocorticoids) target the
patient's physiology.
Primum Non Nocere (first do no harm). This statement
(part of the Hippocratic Oath) serves as an ethical guide for medical
practitioners. To ensure an animal is not harmed, treatments are
based on the identification of the pathogen or the diagnosis of
the problem. In many countries, it is not legal to administer medications
to wildlife without diagnosis and a prescription for the appropriate
medication from a consulting veterinarian.
Because certain medications are harmful to some animals, species-specific
knowledge of drugs, dosages, and routes of administration is crucial.
For example, animals such as rabbits and deer rely entirely on their
gut flora to digest food. Administering the wrong kind of antibiotic
can kill them. As another example, birds, reptiles and amphibians
have very different anatomies and physiologies from mammals. Injecting
a drug into the wrong area of their bodies can be fatal. Avoiding
harm requires knowing your patient.
There are two types of medications: allopathic and alternative.
Allopathic medicine (also known as conventional, traditional or
western medicine) works on the principle of demonstrable, rational
cause-and-effect, and reproducible outcomes. It uses manufactured
drugs to eliminate pathogens (e.g., antibiotics), and vaccines (e.g.,
rabies vaccine) to prevent diseases caused by bacteria and viruses.
Other allopathic pharmaceuticals are used for such purposes as reducing
inflammation, relieving pain, or altering gastrointestinal motility.
One of the best resources for conventional treatments is the Merck
Veterinary Manual.
Merck
Veterinary Manual Online
Choose 'pharmacology' from the table of contents (left menu) for
a list of pathogens, treatments, therapeutic indications and dosages.
| Allopathic
Medicine Texts |
The Exotic Animal Drug Compendium:An International Formulary
by Keath L. Marx D.V.M., Margaret L. Roston BSRN
Presents tabular information on drugs used with exotic animals, for veterinarians working with exotic pets, zoo animals, laboratory animals, and wild animals. Drugs are listed by category and name, with information on their use with specific animals, including figures for recommended dosages, route, frequency, duration, comments, and drug combinations.
Paperback: 393 pages
Veterinary Learning Systems
ISBN:1884254268
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Exotic Animal Formulary:
by James W. Carpenter, Ted Y. Mashima, David J. Rupiper, Jam Morrisey
The 2nd Ed of this very popular pocket guide provides quick, convenient access to essential pharmacology information. Fully updated, it presents the latest medication and dosages for fish, reptiles, birds, rodents, amphibians, primates and other exotic species. Appendices offer biologic and physiologic norms, antibiotic classifications and indications and conversion table.
Paperback: 423 pages
W B Saunders Co
ISBN:0721683126
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Merck Index:An Encyclopedia of Chemicals, Drugs, & Biologicals
by Maryadele J. O'Neil (Editor), Maryadele J. Oneil (Editor), Ann Smith, Merck
Concise and authoritative reference containing a diverse collection of more than 10,000 monographs. More than 4,000 monographs cover pharmaceuticals and drugs, 2,000 cover naturally occurring substances and plants, 1,000 focus on elements and inorganic chemicals, and almost 1,000 pertain to compounds of agricultural significance. Previous edition: c1996. Organized alphabetically.
Hardcover, 13th Edition
Merck & Co
ISBN:0911910131
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Merck Veterinary Manual:
by Susan E. Aiello, Asa Mays (Editor), Merck, Co, Merial
The Merck Manual's new edition is a much needed update to previous editions. The book follows the same, easy to follow formal and includes sections on exotic animals that were not a part of previous editions.
Hardcover: 2305 pages
Merck & Co
ISBN:0911910298
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The Physiological Basis of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology:
by J. Desmond Baggot, Ph.D.
Text is concerned with the basis of species differences, the selection of pharmacokinetic parameters and the interpretation of values obtained. Includes chapters on bioavailability and its application to veterinary dosage forms, changes in drug disposition and interspecies scaling, and drug permeation. For researchers and students.
Hardcover: 283 pages
Iowa State University Press
ISBN:0632057440
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Veterinary Drug Handbook (Pocket Edition):
by Donald C. Plumb
This handbook contains about 400 alphabetized drug monographs. Each entry discusses prescription concerns, the drug chemistry, storage and stability, pharmacology, uses and indications, pharmacokinetics, contraindications and precautions, adverse effects, acute toxicity, drug interactions, laboratory considerations, monitoring parameters, client information, FDA concerns, and human-approved products. Appendices list drugs by type and function, discuss protocols, list conversions, and feature other practical information.
Paperback: 993 pages
Iowa State University Press
ISBN:0813823544
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Therapies described as 'alternative' include:
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is based on the concept 'like cures like', and that disease
can be cured when the patient is treated with minute quantities
of a symptom-producing substance.
Naturopathic or Holistic Medicine
Methods are chosen upon the basis of patient individuality, and
naturopathic medicine considers the 'whole' patient: physical, mental,
emotional, genetic, environmental, social and other factors. Naturopathic
medicines and treatments are described as agents that are not directed
against the disease: they support the body's ability to mount a
defense by identifying and removing obstacles to health and recovery,
facilitated by the creation of a healthy internal and external environment.
Treatments include 'natural' or herbal products. In many countries,
herbal products are not regulated, thus there is no guarantee of
their safety or purity. However, as researchers work to find alternatives
to antibiotics and other medications, more herbs and herbal preparations
are undergoing investigation.
Complementary Medicine
Complementary medicine combines uses treatments from both allopathic
and alternative medicine.
For information on alternative medicine and medications, choose
one of the links below:
The Herb Research
Foundation
A reliable source of information on herb research:
The
Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre
The Island Wildlife Natural Care Centre specializes in alternative
healing in wildlife rehabilitation and offers information on homeopathy
(homeopathic treatments), herbal treatments and physical therapies
Medical
Botany
A goldmine of information on medical botany (check out the links!)
from an eminent ethnobotanist:
National Center
for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Perhaps the best source for reliable information on complementary
and alternative human medicine
University
of Pittsburgh
Medical botany: An herbal supersite
| Alternative
Medicine Texts |
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Emerging Therapies:Using Herbs and Nutraceuticals for Small Animals
by Susan G. Wynn DVM
This tool for veterinary professionals offers current information about alternative medical treatments, primarily for dogs and cats. Chapters begin with the basics and background followed by sample protocols. The main part lists neutraceutical supplements and botanicals, covering actions, use, contraindications, adverse effects, potential interactions, dose, and sources. Materials are listed by common name, with Latin names provided.
Paperback: 160 pages
Amer. Animal Hospital Assn
ISBN:1583260102
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The Holistic Veterinary Handbook:Safe, Effective Treatment Plans for the Companion Animal Practitioner
by William G. Winter, D.V.M.
Paperback
Galde Press, Inc
ISBN:1880090473
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Rational Phytotherapy:A Physicians' Guide to Herbal Medicine
by Volker Schulz, Rudolf Hansel, Varro E. Tyler, T. C. Telger (Translator)
Practice-oriented introduction into phytotherapy. Offers an insight into dosage, form of application and effects of important herbal remedies. Includes only those herbal remedies that are of pharmacological and clinical efficiency. For practitioners and pharmacists.
Hardcover - 383 pages 4th edition
Springer Verlag
ISBN:3540670963
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