When your dog is ill or your pet's health is otherwise compromised, as a good and caring pet owner you'll want to do everything in your power to help your canine companion get well. In addition to making your pet as comfortable as possible, your care will often include administering one or more medications that your veterinarian prescribes or recommends.

Depending on the nature of your dog's health issue, you might need to administer such medicines as antibiotics, pain relievers, hormones, anti-fungals, anti-protozoals, anti-inflammatories, anti-seizure meds, or various other types of medications that your canine requires for optimal health. Some common forms of such medicines are pills, capsules, and liquids, for oral use; liquids, for use in injections; and topical creams, liquids, ointments, or powders, which (depending on the medication type) are used in the eyes or ears or on the skin of your pet.

Using the right medication for your dog's specific health problem—at the correct dosage and on the prescribed schedule—is imperative if your pet is to regain health, energy, vitality, a playful demeanor, and a hearty appetite. If you have any questions at all about the best way of medicating your pet, feel free to discuss the matter with your vet. Most veterinarians are more than happy to explain the best techniques for administering the prescribed medication with a minimum of reluctance from your pet and as little stress as possible for both of you.

If your dog needs a broad spectrum antibiotic to treat a bacterial infection, such as a respiratory, gastrointestinal, or urinary tract infection, an infected bite wound, or a dental infection, Amoxicillin Drops provide a convenient method for treating your pet. Generally given twice daily, Amoxicillin Drops are a good choice when the type of bacterial infection is unknown because Amoxicillin is effective against a wide range of bacteria—though this antibiotic is particularly helpful against bacteria that thrive in an oxygen-free (anaerobic) environment. Amoxicillin is also available in capsules and chewable tablets. Talk to your vet about which form might be best for your pet.

Other antibiotics your dog might need are Clindamycin tablets, for various types of infections caused by specific strep and staph strains; Cephalexin (oral suspension or capsules) or Baytril (enrofloxacin) tablets, for infections of skin, soft tissue, bone, urinary and respiratory tracts; and Metronidazole Tablets, for certain intestinal parasites (including Giardia), as well as to treat diarrhea and anaerobic bacterial infections.

Topical antibiotics include Gentocin Topical Spray, for superficial lesions infected by susceptible bacteria; Animax Topical Ointment or Cream, for bacterial or fungal infections that cause itching and skin inflammation; and Mupirocin Topical Ointment 2%, for impetigo caused by specific staph or strep organisms.

If your dog suffers from allergies, your vet might prescribe one of the following allergy medications: HydrOXYzine Hydrochloride tablets, a generic antihistamine (brand name: Atarax [Pfizer]); Clemastine tablets, another oral antihistamine; or Prednisone tablets, a medication used to treat allergies, auto-immune or inflammatory conditions, and certain other diseases. A topical medication often prescribed for allergic conditions is Genesis (triamcinolone acetonide) Topical Spray, which is effective for itch-control in allergic dermatitis.

If your canine suffers from bone or joint problems, such as arthritis, Metacam (meloxicam) Oral Suspension can make it easier to provide your pet with relief from pain and inflammation. Other osteoarthritis medications made especially for your dog include Deramaxx (deracoxib) Chewable Tablets (which are also effective after orthopedic surgery), Zubrin (tepoxalin) tablets, and Rimadyl (carprofen), which is available in either tablet or caplet form. Another osteoarthritis treatment is Adequan Canine (polysulfated glycosaminoclycan), which, like many human arthritis remedies, contains chondroitin sulfate. This medication is administered by injection and must be given by or under the express order of your pet's veterinarian.

If your dog is diabetic, available items for keeping your pet's blood sugar at safe levels include Vetsulin (Porcine Insulin Zinc Suspension), U-40 Insulin Syringes, and the iPet blood sugar monitoring and management kit, which includes everything you need to keep tabs on your dog's blood sugar so you can keep your furry friend's diabetes under control.

For dogs that suffer from anxiety and its related behavior problems, such medications as Amitriptyline Tablets (brand name: Elavil [Merck]), a tricyclic antidepressant, can help. Other medications often used for this condition include Clomipramine (brand name: Clomicalm [Novartis]) capsules and Fluoxetine casules, an SSRI antidepressant generally used to treat separation anxiety, inappropriate urination, and other similar problems.

Once you bring your dog home after your visit to the vet's office, you'll want to pay careful attention to the storage directions for each medication your vet has prescribed for your pet. Some dog medicines must be refrigerated to remain fresh throughout the course of your pet's treatment. Be sure to follow the directions on the label or those given by your vet for maximum freshness and potency of your canine's medication. Doing so will bring you the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you're doing the very best you can for your canine friend.