March 2011 newsletter

This is a continuation of last months blog.

Of course, not all animals are able to reap the benefits of human medicine. Regulations for medicating livestock or other animals raised for food, for example, have little flexibility because of the potential implications the treatments may have on the health of humans who consume the meat, dairy products, or eggs from those animals. And veterinarians who work with racehorses are limited by rules intended to keep the competition level for those who put their money down at the track.

When it comes to companion animals, on the other hand, the int rest is in a healthy pet and a happy owner. So if a doctor believes that a particular human medication can help an animal, she'll prescribe it. This has been the case for decades, Dr. Ferguson notes, but the practice has only really been legal since 1994, when Congress passed the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act regulating the conditions under which such use is acceptable.

Even before the legislation was in place, however, there was a working system for prescribing human drugs to pets. Veterinarians relied on peer-reviewed studies, clinical trails, and published formularies that included suggestions for safe uses and dosages of human medications given to companion animals.

"There are many drugs in the human pharmaceutical pipeline that had initial safety tests performed on laboratory beagles." Dr. Ferguson says. "The information from those trails could aid veterinarians with rough dosages and safety guidelines for clinical use, particularly if the drug did not make it to the human market because of problems unrelated to safety in dogs."

Today, with the legal issues cleared up, veterinarians and their patients have more options and better access to medications. Vets have always been glad to provide in-house pharmaceutical services, and general pharmacists, too, have usually been willing to fill prescriptions written by vets. But recently, online retailers and specialty pharmacists have also recognized that pets are an expansion market. These developments ope the door to even more progress, including discussions on generic meds and price-shopping.

Chances are you won't be walking out with a prescription for Viagra or Botox the next time you go to the veterinarian's office, but you should still talk with the doctor about your pet's treatment options. More variety means better care for your favorite animal, and that's good news for everyone.

Johnny & Connie