Pets bring delight to our lives. Thus, it becomes our responsibility to make sure that they get the best care possible. Maintaining the health of our pets is an important aspect of being a conscientious pet owner. Now, with the ever-growing awareness of animal behavior, there are a plethora of veterinarians to look after their health requirements. Pet owners would do well to consult these professionals on their pets’ health issues and the necessary medications to guarantee their pets live healthy and fruitful lives.

Medications for pets are available both over the counter and through prescription. Over-the-counter medications are those medications that can be bought without the written consent of the veterinarian. Prescription medications have to follow the code written by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration); that is, they can be obtained only through the written permission of a licensed veterinarian.

Normally, pet owners ask for a written prescription for medications so as to get them from sources other than the examining veterinarian. Veterinarians are morally bound to supply the same and to record the data in the pet’s medical file. He may or may not charge a fee for that.

Some non-prescription pet medications are given only to certified veterinarians. This is not a mandate commanded by law. It is not prohibited for veterinarians to sell these drugs to other outlets, nor is it against the law for some other company to sell the products.

Veterinarians should be alert while giving medication for pets. For example, antibiotics should be prescribed to those animals truly needing them. Haphazard use of the same can cause bacterial resistance in animals, as well as establish the possibility of future allergic reaction to that drug. On the other hand, urinary tract infections and skin infections like pyoderma necessitate the long-term use of antibiotics.

All pet medications should be dealt with respect. The pet owner should be attentive to any bad reaction that the medications may cause the pet. The owner’s discretion is vital here, as animals cannot communicate verbally with their masters. Your veterinarian should be the foremost source of information about your pet’s health. They are the ones with knowledge, commitment and years of specialized training when it comes to treating animals.