When you adopt a dog, you become so much more than a dog owner – you become a dog parent. As the loving, playful, and supportive creatures they are, it’s not surprising they’ve been named man’s best friends for centuries. Entrusting us with their lives, treating us with their loyalty and friendship, the least we can do is return the favour by offering them the best care possible.
Prior to adoption, it’s our responsibility to make the home as dog-friendly as can be to make them feel welcome and comfortable. After all, they become part of the family too! In this aspect, acquiring the basics of pet supplies is a must.
Essentials like beds, crates, collars, leash, harnesses, bowls, foods, treats, grooming accessories, and toys are mandatory. But that’s not all – it’s also our job as pet owners and parents to prepare first-aid kits as well. Regardless of whether you travel or not, having this kind of kit ready to help your friend in need would save its life when you least expect it because you never know when accidents or emergencies might strike.
They could happen during storms when you can’t leave home to go to the vet’s, or when you’re away from home, in a remote area, and you have no vet around. Preparedness is key, so here are some essentials of ointments, topical and oral drugs you should have handy in a backpack or container.
The Basics of Meds
Same as you have your own supply of medications, your beloved dog needs its own, be it OTC or prescription. Luckily, now that it’s easy to find a reliable online pet pharmacy that offers automatic refills and great deals on the variety of products they have in store, shopping for the right items won’t be an issue for you. Nor will it break your bank!
Condition-Related
If your pet has a chronic condition, first and foremost your priority is to acquire prescription medications for the health problems. This could be related to the thyroid or other endocrine glands, diabetes, blood pressure, seizures, heart health, allergies, obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis, musculoskeletal disorders, or liver disease.
OTC
Though these medications don’t require prescriptions, it doesn’t mean they’re safe for your canine as they are for you so to clear out any worry you may have regarding their safety or dosage, always check with the vet first.
Gastrointestinal
Some examples of these dog owners usually count on include stomach drugs like Tagamet HB, and Pepcid AC for when they have acid reflux or other gastrointestinal conditions. They’re alternatives for prescription pet meds like Omeprazole and Nexium which also help prevent gastric erosions, the result from anti-inflammatory drugs.
When we’re at the intestinal, you need to also pile up on meds to treat diarrhoea, as much as worm problems. So, it’s advisable to enhance your kit with Buscopan, Imodium, Ensal, and Zentel, or chewables like Nexgard Spectra.
Anti-inflammatory
Speaking of anti-inflammatory and pain-related meds, Meloxicam or even Aspirin are considered basics. A word of caution though is to remember the latter is usually recommended for short-term use (e.g. a day or two) so the vet might suggest something else that’s less harmful and more efficient, such as Tramadol or Gabapentin. In which case you’d have to rely on the online pet pharmacy for prescription purchase.
Skin Related
Now, in cases of skin allergic reactions (e.g. redness, hot spots, itching, dryness, inflammation) caused by insect bites, sunburn, and dermatitis which are not that uncommon with canines, especially dogs that are more outdoorsy, OTC antihistamines are the options. The typical choices include Benadryl, Claritin, and Zyrtec. For that ultimate antibiotic that can treat anything, from skin to respiratory and urinary infections, you need Cipro.
If any of these makes your dog drowsy, you might prefer resorting to providing relief for your furry pal with prescription Hydrocortisone creams such as Sigmacort available at the trustworthy and well-stocked pet pharmacy. For cuts and abrasions, acquire Neosporin. When dealing with infected skin parts, or at risk of infection, the antibacterial corticosteroid Kenacomb ointment is your go-to choice.
As dogs tend to lick their skin-related issues, it’s important to make sure they don’t do so, particularly not when you’ve just applied the creams. Pay attention to them while the creams are still drying to avoid any problems. The assistance of a cone might be your only way out if all else fails.
Eye Related
Being around irritants like smoke and allergens, dogs can get conjunctivitis in one eye, what’s better known as “pink eye”. It may also be caused by bacterial and viral infections and when they’re the reason for the problem usually both eyes are affected. Lastly, dry eye, or KCS (Keratoconjunctivitis sicca) can be another reason for the issue.
Depending on what you’d be dealing with, allergy-related conjunctivitis requires antihistamines and anti-inflammatory meds as much as artificial tears and steroid eye drops that an online pet pharmacy can supply you with. The Ketorolac, i.e. Acular could come in handy, whereas with bacterial infections you could use the help of Ciprofloxacin and Genoptic. As viral aren’t treated with antibiotics, cold compresses and artificial tears are key. Lastly, with dry eye, you might try a natural solution to clean and lubricate.
Behaviour and Anxiety
There are instances when dogs can have trouble with anxiety, which could even manifest itself as changes in behaviour. There are many reasons as to why this occurs – could be separation anxiety, fear of being home alone, fear of travelling, or even noises, people, and other pets.
Whichever the cause, it’s advisable to have some OTC supplementation solutions in your kit, like those with Tryptophan, B vitamins and other nutrients to treat aggression, marking, excessive barking, or other behavioural issues. These are the choices if you don’t want to seek help from prescription drugs the online pet pharmacy can supply you with, in the example of Zoloft or Prozac.
Words of Advice
Ensuring your pet’s safety is crucial, so again besides having the needed meds, it’s necessary to first make sure they’d help treat and cure the problem, not cause another one that’s even more serious. Prior to buying anything, the key is to talk it out with the vet.
Be sure to follow up with the recommended doses, don’t use the meds longer than needed, and pay attention to your dog. This way you’d be able to notice any unwanted reactions and side-effects and nip them in the bud.