Handling and Administering Medications 4 H Veterinary Science

Handling and Administering Medications 4 -H Veterinary Science Extension Veterinary Medicine Texas Agri. Life Extension Service College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Texas A&M System http: //aevm. tamu. edu

Objectives n Discuss the measurement of calculated dosages of medication n Define routes of administration of medications n Describe the instruments used in administration of medications

n Handling Medication n Storage n Dispensing n Measuring n Administering Medication n Instruments n Routes

Storage n Very important n Store products at n Room temperature n 60°- 80°F n Refrigeration temperature n 35°- 45°F n Dry environment n Dark environment n READ THE LABEL!

n Product distribution n Non-transparent containers n Do not n Translucent containers n Direct sunlight n Indirect sunlight

n So why is the sun bad? n Reduces effectiveness n n n Vaccines Antibiotics Hormones

n Guidelines n Refrigeration or room temperature n Dark environment n Sanitary conditions n Prevent contamination § Loose effectiveness § Source of infection n Do save remaining products n Dried products Expiration date Seal

Dispensing n Properly labeled n Manufacturer’s n Veterinarian n Types of dispensing n Over-the-counter (OTC) n Veterinarian n OTC n Prescription § On-label § Extra-label

n Regulations n n FDA State boards of veterinary medical examiners § TVMA

A label needs

Example

Measuring n Drugs and chemicals n Body weight determines dose n Biologicals (vaccines, etc) n Same dose for all

n Dose is on the label n Quantity measurements n Liquids n Cubic centimeters (cc) § Same as ml n n Ounces (oz) Solids n n n n Milligrams (mg) Grams (g) Ounces (oz) Pounds (lb) Pills Tablets (tab) Boluses

n Animal weight n Kilograms (kg) n Pounds (lb) n Remember n 1 kg = 2. 2 lb n 1 lb = 0. 45 kg

n Conversions Pounds to kilograms or

n Conversions Kilograms to pounds or

Convert mg/kg to mg/lb

Calculate Total Weight Dose

Convert Weight Dose to Total Volume Dose (concentration x total weight dose)

For example A drug concentration is 25 mg per cc, the total dose of the liquid drug at the rate of 5 mg per kg for a 44 pound dog.

n Calculate Dose (method a) Convert lb to kg Total weight dose Total volume dose Convert mg to cc

n Calculate Dose (method b) Convert lb to kg Total weight dose Total volume dose Convert mg to cc

Instruments n How we get the drug into the animal n Instrument depends on n Drug n Dose quantity n Route of administration

n Syringe and needle n Syringes n Measured in § cc § ml n 1 to 60 cc in size

n Needles n Measured § Gauge § 24 – 14 G § Length § ¼ - 5 inches n Higher the gauge the smaller the caliber n Common § Dogs and cats § 20 x ½ § Horses § 18 x 1 § Cattle § 16 x 1 ½

n Drench syringe n Large syringe with a nozzle instead of a needle n Administer n Liquids § Oral § Rectal

n Balling Gun n Administer n n Bolus Pills

n Paste n Administration n Oral Anus Intra-mammary

Route n Parenteral route n Clean aseptic conditions n Sterile instruments n Clean surface n Remove debris

n Types

n Enteral routes n Disinfect instruments between animals n Clean conditions

n Types