Pet Compounding

As a pet owner myself (see the attached picture!), I know how much our animals mean to us. They’re more than companions—they’re family. And just like people, they sometimes need medication that’s tailored to their unique needs.

But here’s something important to remember: from a medical standpoint, pets are not just smaller humans. They metabolize medications differently, and what’s safe for us isn’t always safe for them.

For example, some medications made for humans may contain ingredients that are toxic to pets. One common issue is the sweetener xylitol, which is safe for people but can be dangerous for dogs. It’s found in many manufactured liquid medications—including some versions of gabapentin. In fact, I’ve heard stories where pets were unintentionally harmed simply because the formulation wasn’t designed with animals in mind.

The good news? When prescribed by a veterinarian, we can compound medications specifically for pets, such as xylitol-free gabapentin or other custom formulations to help make dosing safer and more manageable.

As always, I’m available in the lab Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Or feel free to email me anytime at brandon.ladage@belewdrugs.com. I’d love to hear from you—whether you have questions or just want to show off your own four-legged family member.

Until next time,

Brandon

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Compouding

*Compounded medications are prepared by prescription to meet the individual needs of patients and are not evaluated or approved by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. Always consult your licensed healthcare provider before making decisions about treatment or medications.