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Veterinary Pharmacy Articles
Colchicine
Why has my veterinarian prescribed this medicine?
Your veterinarian has prescribed colchicine to help treat chronic liver fibrosis. Your veterinarian may have chosen this medication for other indications as well.
How do I give this medication?
- Give this medication to your pet as directed by your veterinarian. READ THE LABEL CAREFULLY.
- If the medicine is a liquid, measure the dose with reasonable care.
- Try to give this medication at about the same time each day.
- DO NOT give the pet more medicine than directed and do not give more often than directed.
- DO NOT stop giving this medication to your pet unless directed by your veterinarian. Call your veterinarian ahead of time if your pet needs a refill.
- Try not to miss giving any doses.
What if I miss giving a dose?
Give the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule. Do not give the pet two doses at once.
How do I store this medicine?
- Keep this medicine out of reach of children.
- Store this medicine in a cool, dry place at room temperature. Store away from heat and direct sunlight.
- Do not store this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink or in damp places. The medicine may break down if exposed to heat or moisture.
Potential Side Effects
- Your pet may experience the following side effects: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- If your pet experiences any changes in appetite or other stomach effects, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- Other side effects may occur. If you notice anything unusual, contact your veterinarian.
Possible Drug Interactions
- Make sure to tell your veterinarian what other medication you are giving to your pet.
- Quite often your veterinarian may prescribe two different medications, and a drug interaction may be anticipated. In this case, your veterinarian may vary the dose and/or monitor your pet more closely.
- The following drugs can potentially interact with colchicine: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (e.g phenylbutazone), antineoplastic agents, other bone marrow depressant drugs, sympathomimetic agents and CNS depressants.
- Contact your veterinarian if your pet experiences any unusual reactions when different medications are given together.
PET HEALTH LIBRARY
- The Pet Health Library contains information on some of the most common medical problems of dogs and cats. This information is designed to assist pet owners in better understanding their pets' health problems.
Cat Friendly Practice
- In the United States, there are millions more owned cats than owned dogs, yet cats visit veterinarians less frequently than dogs. A major reason is that it is very stressful to take cats to the veterinary practice and often owners believe their cat doesn't need routine check-ups for wellness and preventive care. The Cat Friendly Practice® (CFP) program, created by expert feline practitioners, provides a solution to this trend and provides an opportunity for veterinary practices to elevate care for cats and reduce the stress during the visit.
