Drug Compounding for Pets

Compounding is the act of manipulating a drug beyond what’s indicated on its label. Meds are sometimes manipulated to meet the custom medical needs of pets. “Manipulation” may include mixing, diluting, flavoring, or changing form.

Examples of compounding include:

• Mixing two injectable drugs in the same syringe
• Creating an oral suspension from crushed tablets or an injectable solution
• Adding flavoring to a commercially available drug
• Creating a transdermal gel for a drug typically taken through other routes
• Mixing two solutions for instilling into the ear

Dogs, cats, reptiles, horses, and any non-food species of animal

Both

We make many compounds 🙂

Some of the more common: trilostane, potassium iodide, ketotifin, fluoxitine, methimazole, lansoprazole, trazodone.

We make a lot of animal mediations in a tasty flavor like chicken, tuna, or beef suspension. Things like antibiotics or anti-inflammatories can be made palatable too! Read our tips on giving your pets medication.

We can prepare pet medication in a form where the animal does not have to swallow.

Transdermal delivery of medication allows owners to administer medications noninvasively. A measured amount (usually 0.1 ml, about half the size of a pea) of a specially prepared gel is applied to a hairless area inside the tip of the ear.

The special gel allows the drug to be absorbed through the skin. This procedure is painless, tasteless and simple. Your pet may not even know he or she is getting medication. This can lead to better patient compliance and less owner frustration.

A common issue is that commercial pet medications may be available in only one size or strength. For example, one tablet may be too large to give to a cat, but a large dog may need several tablets to ensure the correct dose. The Compounding Pharmacy of America can create a medication that contains the most appropriate dose required for each animal.

Often, an animal will need a medication that is not typically manufactured by drug companies. Perhaps a veterinary formulation is unavailable, and, for one reason or another, the human preparation just won’t do. Our veterinary compounding pharmacy can obtain the necessary pharmaceutical-grade materials and use them to compound individualized dosage forms based on your pet’s needs.

Yes, our facility is equipped to handle and create sterile and ophthalmic (eye) solutions for your pet prescriptions.

Our pet compounding pharmacy maintains an array of state-of-the-art equipment, including computerized autoclave, microprocessor-controlled convection oven, pH meters and many other tools and devices.

A “bulk drug substance” is a substance used to make a drug that becomes an active ingredient in the finished dosage form of the drug.

In some cases, a veterinarian will have their own compounding facility and can take care of the process for you. This is true in certain states. Otherwise, your vet can write the pet prescription and then refer you to a compounding pharmacy.

No. A lawful veterinary compounding pharmacy is only allowed to give out medication according to a veterinarian’s prescription. If you want to get compounded pet medication, please discuss obtaining a prescription with your pet’s veterinarian.

Never, in any circumstance, administer one pet’s medication to another. The only exception would be if your veterinarian has explicitly directed you to do so.

Compounded medications are custom-tailored to your pet’s needs, and administering it to another pet could be harmful, even if they are the same species. Likewise, pet medications are not created for humans.

If you find yourself needing compounded medication for another pet, please consult your veterinarian’s office to discuss that pet’s needs.

Yes! Read more about it.