Pharmacology Assisting Veterinary Medical Applications What is Pharmacology

Pharmacology Assisting Veterinary Medical Applications

What is “Pharmacology”? • The branch of veterinary medicine concerned with the uses, effects, and administration of drugs. • The study of drugs.

Identifying Medications To identify medications in the veterinary clinic you must first identify the following: Classification of drug Form of drug Route of administration Method of administration

Classifications of Drugs • What is a drug classification? – Characterized by a drug’s action(s) in the body or on target tissues.

Classifications of Drugs Emetics- drugs used to induce vomiting Antiemetics- drugs that relieve vomiting Antidiarrheal agents- drugs used to lessen diarrhea Cathartics- drugs that increase bowel motility or loosen stools

Classifications of Drugs Antacids- drugs that counteract stomach acid Diuretics- drugs that increase the production of urine Antibiotics- drugs that kill/inhibit growth of bacteria Anti-inflammatories- drugs that reduce inflammation

Classifications of Drugs Analgesics-drugs that relieve pain and raise the pain threshold Anesthetics- drugs that decreases feeling sensation; numbing Anticonvulsants-drugs that inhibit seizures Stimulants-drugs that excite the functional activity of an organ – Tranquilizers- drugs that sedate/quiet an anxious patient

Forms of Drugs • What is a form? – Characterized by a drug’s physical composition or state such as: – Solid tablet, syrup, lotion, ointment, injectable, extract, etc…

Forms of Drugs Solid- include tablets, gel capsules & coated tablets Solution- a drug that is dissolved in a liquid and will not settle if left sitting; syrups and elixirs Suspension- a drug that is suspended but not dissolved in the liquid. The particles will settle and must be shaken before administered Extract- agent composed of prepared plant/animal parts rather than manufactured chemicals

Forms of Drugs Topical- drugs that are liquid at room temperature and applied to the surface of the skin; include liniments and lotions Semisolid- drugs that are semisolid in state at room temperature and applied to the skin; include ointments and pastes. Injectable- drugs that are administered via a needle and syringe

Routes of Drug Administration What does “route of administration” mean? -the pathway a drug enters the body. – Amount of drug that reaches the target tissue can be significantly altered if the proper route is not used. – Each route has its own pattern (speed/degree) of drug absorption.

Routes of Drug Administration Intravenous- (IV) injection into the vein Intramuscular- (IM) injection into the muscle Subcutaneous- (Sub-Q, SC) injection below the skin Intradermal- application through the skin Oral- given by mouth for digestive absorption Inhalation- administration of aerosol, mist or gas for respiratory absorption

Methods of Drug Administration What are methods of administration? -The techniques used to give the drug to the patient.

Methods of Drug Administration 1. Injection administration (given by a shot) 2. Oral administration (given by mouth) 3. Topical administration (applied to surface of skin) 4. Aerosol administration (mist or gas for respiratory tract)

It’s the law! Controlled Substances – a substance that has the potential for physical addiction, physiologic addiction and/or abuse. Controlled Substances Act of 1970 - a practitioner who has controlled substances stored in his/her office must keep these drugs in a securely locked, substantially constructed cabinet or safe.

Schedules of Controlled Substances C-I—No medical value, greatest restrictions; e. g. , LSD, heroin + C-IV— low potential for abuse, may lead to limited dependence; includes valium C-V— subject to state/local regulation, low abuse potential; least restrictions abuse potential C-II—highly addictive; e. g. , opium, morphine C-III— some potential for abuse, less than C-II; e. g. , ketamine

Controlled Substances ü Kept in a locked, sturdy storage cabinet. ü Log must be kept of any controlled drug that was used. ü Records must state: date, purpose and amount. ü Records must include receipts of purchase and sale of drugs. ü Log must be kept for at least 2 years.

Equipment used in the pharmacy Pill Counter Pill Cutter

Equipment used to Administer Medications Tools used to administer solid pills, capsules and caplets Pet Piller Balling gun

Using a Pet Piller

Equipment used to Administer Medications Syringes Used to administer liquids to a patient – Disposable: to be disposed of after one use – Automatic/ Re-usable: to be used many times

Syringes -Identified by capacity (cc) -larger cc syringes hold larger amounts of liquid

Equipment used to Administer Medications Needle Sizes come in various lengths. – Sizes come in gauges 4 -30. – The larger the gauge #, the smaller the needle. *Remember to dispose of properly in sharps container*

Equipment used to Administer Medications Notice how the smallest needle has the largest gauge #.

Needles Disposable needles may be identified by their color code. Needle Lengths (mm) Needle Diameter (mm) Color Code Gauge WHITE 16 G 38 1. 6 PINK 18 G 38 1. 2 CREAM 19 G 38 1. 1 YELLOW 20 G 25, 32, 38 0. 9 GREEN 21 G 25, 32, 38 0. 8 BLACK 22 G 25, 32, 38 0. 7 BLUE 23 G 25, 32, 38 0. 6 PURPLE 24 G 25, 32, 38 0. 55 ORANGE 25 G 25, 32, 38 0. 5 BROWN 26 G 13, 38 0. 45 LIGHT GREY 27 G 19, 38 0. 4

TEKS: 130. 6 Veterinary Medical Applications • (15) The student identifies pharmacology-assisting procedures, skills, and objectives that are included in the job description of an animal care assistant. The student is expected to: A. identify medications according to their classification, form, routes, and methods of administration; B. explain handling and distribution, protocol, and laws for controlled substances; C. calculate dosage using factors such as concentration of drug, weight of animal, and required dosage; D. complete a prescription label with identifiers that are required by the United States Food and Drug Administration; and E. select equipment and instruments used to give medications.

Veterinary Pharmacology A product of the Partnership for Environmental Education and Rural Health at College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University Funding support from the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health