source: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)

Excerpts taken from a story by Ed Cullen

Frederic Gaschen and Leslie McLaughlin (2 vets from LSU) have done a five-year, retrospective study of almost 50 dogs poisoned by Sago palms.

The Vets found a mortality rate of about 60 percent.

“There is a common misconception that it’s just the seed,” Ferguson said. “They do have a higher concentration (of toxins), and they’re said to be very sweet. It’s been known for a while that it’s the whole plant.” The LSU study found that an animal’s size doesn’t mater in surviving the poison.

Within a couple hours, pets will throw up and become lethargic. Some pets even go into seizures and vomiting must be induced by a Veterinarian. In many cases long lasting complications occur due to ingestion of some palms, including liver failure.

Facts:

• In 2009 there were 7,858 calls to the Animal Poison Control Center.

ASPCA’s list of 17 plants listed as poisonous to animals (in no specific order)

1. Lilies
2. Marijuana
3. Sago palm
4. Tulip/narcissus bulbs
5. Azalea/rhododendron
6. Oleander
7. Casto bean
8. Cyclamen
9. Kalanchoe
10. Yew
11. Amaryllis
12. Autumn crocus
13. Chrysanthemum
14. English ivy
15. Peace lily
16. Pothos
17. Scheffiera

The ASPCA and Vets say that homeowners should know that the Sago palms contain the poison cycasin which takes form as cycad. The sago palm is used extensively in outdoor landscaping in the southern states and used as houseplants in the north.

What should you do if your pet is poisoned?

• Don’t Panic
• Take 30 to 60 seconds to collect and have at hand any material involved (product container and in a seal able plastic bag any vomit or chewed items).
• If you witness your pet consuming material that you suspect might be toxic, seek emergency assistance, even if you do not notice any adverse effects. Sometimes, even if poisoned, an animal may appear normal for several hours or for days after the incident.
• Call the ASPCA (888) 426-4435. There is a $65 consultation fee for the service.
• Be ready with such vital information as species, age, sex, etc.: product container/packaging for reference.
• Note: If the animal is having seizures, losing consciousness or is having difficulty breathing, phone ahead and bring your pet immediately to your vet or emergency vet clinic.
• Always keep the ASPCA number and that of your local vet in a prominent location.

More than Pills and Capsules

Compounding pharmacies are different from traditional pharmacies in that we tailor our medications to meet the specific needs of the patient. For example, where a commercial medication may be available only as a tablet, we can often offer the same medication in a wider variety of forms such as:

• Solutions
• Suppository
• Lozenge
• Lollipop
• Topical Cream
• Topical Gel
• Nebulizer or Inhaler

pictures coming soon…….

…and many More

Precise Dosage

Sometimes a patient needs a medication in a strength that is not available commercially. This requires the patient to divide pills or take the medication more often. As a compounding pharmacy, we can adjust the medication’s strength to better fit the patient. For example, if a pill is available only in a 5 mg strength, and the physician prescribes a 2.5 mg dose, the patient is left to cut the pill in half. As a compounding pharmacy, we can create capsules with the correct 2.5 mg dosage. No More dividing pills.

Other Reasons to Compound

• When a medicine is needed in a form not commercially available, whether tablet, capsule, suppository, or liquid.
• When a pharmaceutical company no longer manufactures a particular medicine.
• When there is little demand for a drug and the manufacturers won’t make it.
• When a patient wants or needs preservative-free, dye-free, lactose-free, etc. medication.
• When a patient is allergic to a commercially available form of medicine.

Available Forms

• Preservative and Sugar Free Formulations
• Suspensions
• Veterinary Formulations
• Urethral Inserts
• Homeopathic Formulations
• Lip Balms
• Optic Solutions
• Suspensions & Insufflations
• Throat Sprays
• Creams, Ointments
• Sprays, Powders & Lotions
• Dental Preparations
• Pain Formulations
• Rectal Enemas
• Nausea Formulations
• Vaginal Creams
• Injectables, Suppositories and Trans-dermal Gels
• Popsicles, Lollipops & Gummy Bears
• Sub-lingual Trochees & Tablets
• Pediatric Formulations

ANY Dose! ANY FORM!

How do you get pet medications? First, you will need to go to a Veterinarian to find out what is happening and get the correct dosage. As you can imagine feeding your pet a pill that is made for a 150lb human can be extremely harmful, even life threatening. Once you have a prescription you can either bring it in to our store or call it in.

Union Avenue Compounding Pharmacy then creates a specific prescription just for your pet needs. Many of our prescriptions come in salve, liquid or solid form because we know how to administer the dosage the easiest way. In addition many of our pet prescriptions come in a flavor that your dog, cat, bird, monkey, ferret or other animal would enjoy to eat. Ask us and you would be surprised to see how easy giving your pet meds can be. Some are as easy as spreading a salve on the inner part of their ears.

So if you are in the Tacoma, Washington area or need a prescription filled for your pet by phone/email then contact us. We ship just about anywhere in the US and some time out of the US. We will give you the help you need!

Kim Burkes – Pharmacist/Owner

Anne -Phamacy Technician

Shannon Phamacy Technician

Linda Phamacy Technician

In the future you will be able to buy OTC (over the counter) vitamins and other assorted items that we specialize in. If you would like this option to happen sooner please contact us using the contact page link above and drop us a note. Currently we are just taking orders over the phone or in-shop.

So explore and feel free to come on down to get your pets picture featured on our new site! We will be happy to answer any questions that you might have.

Thank you and enjoy!

Kim Burkes – Lead Pharmacist and Owner