Veterinary Pharmacology Basics

Veterinary Pharmacology

Definition and Scope

• Veterinary pharmacology is the study of the properties, effects, and uses of drugs in animals.
• It involves understanding the interactions between drugs and the animal body, including the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs.

Key Concepts

• Pharmacokinetics: The study of the movement of drugs within the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
• Pharmacodynamics: The study of the effects of drugs on the body, including the mechanisms of action and the response to therapy.
• Drug interactions: The effects of multiple drugs on each other, including synergistic, antagonistic, and additive effects.

Drug Classes

• Antimicrobials: Drugs used to treat bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections.
• Analgesics: Drugs used to relieve pain, including opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and local anesthetics.
• Anesthetics: Drugs used to induce anesthesia, including general anesthetics, sedatives, and tranquilizers.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs: Drugs used to reduce inflammation, including corticosteroids, NSAIDs, and immunosuppressive agents.
• Antiparasitic drugs: Drugs used to treat parasitic infections, including ectoparasiticides and endoparasiticides.

Factors Affecting Drug Action

• Species differences: Variations in drug response between different animal species.
• Age and development: Changes in drug response during different stages of life, including neonatal, juvenile, and geriatric animals.
• Body size and weight: Effects of body size and weight on drug dosing and response.
• Disease and health status: Impact of underlying disease or health status on drug response and efficacy.

Adverse Drug Reactions

• Types of adverse reactions: Allergic reactions, idiosyncratic reactions, and dose-related reactions.
• Monitoring and reporting: Importance of monitoring for adverse reactions and reporting them to ensure animal safety.

Regulation and Ethical Considerations

• Drug regulation: Laws and regulations governing the use of drugs in veterinary medicine, including the FDA and EPA in the United States.
• Ethical considerations: Principles guiding the use of drugs in veterinary medicine, including animal welfare, client consent, and professional responsibility.

Veterinary Pharmacology

Definition and Scope

• Veterinary pharmacology studies the properties, effects, and uses of drugs in animals, including the interactions between drugs and the animal body.

Key Concepts

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

• Pharmacokinetics: The study of the movement of drugs within the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
• Pharmacodynamics: The study of the effects of drugs on the body, including the mechanisms of action and the response to therapy.

Drug Interactions

• Drug interactions: The effects of multiple drugs on each other, including synergistic, antagonistic, and additive effects.

Drug Classes

Antimicrobial and Pain Management

• Antimicrobials: Drugs used to treat bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections.
• Analgesics: Drugs used to relieve pain, including opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and local anesthetics.

Anesthesia and Inflammation

• Anesthetics: Drugs used to induce anesthesia, including general anesthetics, sedatives, and tranquilizers.
• Anti-inflammatory drugs: Drugs used to reduce inflammation, including corticosteroids, NSAIDs, and immunosuppressive agents.

Parasitic Infections

• Antiparasitic drugs: Drugs used to treat parasitic infections, including ectoparasiticides and endoparasiticides.

Factors Affecting Drug Action

Individual and Environmental Factors

• Species differences: Variations in drug response between different animal species.
• Age and development: Changes in drug response during different stages of life, including neonatal, juvenile, and geriatric animals.
• Body size and weight: Effects of body size and weight on drug dosing and response.
• Disease and health status: Impact of underlying disease or health status on drug response and efficacy.

Adverse Drug Reactions

Types and Monitoring

• Types of adverse reactions: Allergic reactions, idiosyncratic reactions, and dose-related reactions.
• Monitoring and reporting: Importance of monitoring for adverse reactions and reporting them to ensure animal safety.

Regulation and Ethical Considerations

Laws and Principles

• Drug regulation: Laws and regulations governing the use of drugs in veterinary medicine, including the FDA and EPA in the United States.
• Ethical considerations: Principles guiding the use of drugs in veterinary medicine, including animal welfare, client consent, and professional responsibility.

Poisonous Plants

Overview

• Veterinary toxicology focuses on the adverse effects of toxic substances on animals
• Poisonous plants are a common cause of toxicosis in animals, especially in rural and suburban areas

Common Poisonous Plants

• Oleander
  • Contains cardiac glycosides
  • Can cause cardiac arrest and death
  • Ingestion of even small amounts can be fatal
• Lily
  • Contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals
  • Causes oral and gastrointestinal irritation
  • Can cause kidney damage in cats
• Tulip
  • Contains tulipalin
  • Causes vomiting, diarrhea, and respiratory distress
  • Ingestion of bulbs can be particularly toxic
• Rhododendron
  • Contains grayanotoxins
  • Causes vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
  • Can cause cardiac arrhythmias and respiratory failure
• Yew
  • Contains taxine
  • Causes vomiting, diarrhea, and cardiac arrhythmias
  • Can cause sudden death due to cardiac arrest

Clinical Signs and Symptoms

• Vary depending on the plant and amount ingested
• Common signs include:
  • Gastrointestinal upset
  • Cardiovascular signs
  • Respiratory distress
  • Neurological signs

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Diagnosis often based on history of exposure and clinical signs
• Treatment typically involves supportive care
• Activated charcoal may be used to adsorb toxins
• In severe cases, hospitalization and close monitoring may be necessary

Learn about the study of drugs in animals, including their properties, effects, and uses. Understand pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.