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June 24, 2002
Medicating Small or Exotic Pets

When a bird, hamster, iguana, ferret, or other small or exotic pet is ill, treatment can be hampered if it is difficult for the owner to administer needed medications.
Our compounding experts can help by formulating specialized dosage forms to meet the specific needs of each animal.

For example,
• Birds: Often, medications are only commercially available as a tablet,
capsule, or injection, or the liquid form may not be adequately concentrated or properly flavored for a bird. We can often compound the needed medication into a concentrated flavored liquid or medicated treat that a bird will readily consume. Each bird has personal preferences, and we offer a variety of bases and flavors to please.

• Hamsters, gerbils, etc.: We have found that it is often easy to give
medications to these animals when they are formulated as a flavored oral paste. Hamsters usually love medicated raspberry puree!

• Exotics may be attracted to bright colors, or may be more likely to
consume medicated dosage forms that are consistent in color with their usual diet. We have found that emus like yellow and ostriches prefer green. Favorite coordinating flavors are hay and celery!

• Need to mask a bitter flavor or the taste of vitamins? We have special
techniques which are very successful.

We welcome your questions. Bring us your medication problems!

Copyright 2002, Storey Marketing - Veterinary Website Updates. Reproduction
prohibited without subscription from Storey Marketing (814-337-3441). Questions regarding this article should be directed to the compounding professionals at Martin Avenue Pharmacy, Inc.

Copyright 2002, Storey Marketing - Veterinary Website Updates. Reproduction prohibited without subscription from Storey Marketing (814-337-3441). Questions regarding this article should be directed to the compounding professionals at Martin Avenue Pharmacy, Inc.