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Post-Surgical Treatment Medications for Pets

The Top Compounding Medications Used for Post-Surgical Treatment and Conditions

When an animal undergoes a surgical procedure, certain medications will be prescribed and administered to help the pet patient endure post-surgical treatment, and to help recovery in as comfortable a state as possible. Patients may receive medications for pain and nausea, as well as an antibiotic to help prevent infection, and an appetite stimulant to help encourage the animal to eat.

Here are the top medications that are compounded to help animal patients through their post-surgical treatment and conditions.

Commonly Compounded Drugs in Veterinary Medicine

Prednisolone—Prednisolone is a corticosteroid that is used in post-surgical treatment to help control inflammation and swelling, skin conditions, kidney problems, and more. It also is used in veterinary medicine to help treat pets with allergies, arthritis, asthma, and many other medical problems. It also is used to treat for some symptoms of cancer.

Buprenorphine—Buprenorphine is a narcotic analgesic that is prescribed by veterinarians to treat moderate to severe post-surgical pain.

Gabapentin—Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant and analgesic that is used by veterinarians to help manage post-surgical pain.

Tramadol—Tramadol is an opioid analgesic that is used to treat moderate to severe post-surgical pain.

Carprofen—Carprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used by veterinarians to relieve short-term post-operative pain, inflammation, and swelling. It also is used after spaying and neutering.

Cephalexin—Cephalexin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic commonly used to treat bacterial infections.

Metronidazole—Metronidazole is a popular antibiotic that is used to reduce the risk of post-surgical bacterial infections.

Enrofloxacin—Enrofloxacin is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic that is used to prevent bacterial infections after a surgical procedure.

Famotidine—Famotidine is an H2 antagonist medication that is used post-surgery to treat the patient's nausea. It also is used in everyday veterinary medicine to treat pets with stomach ulcers and other conditions that can cause the stomach to produce too much acid .

Omeprazole—Omeprazole is a proton-pump inhibitor that is used by veterinarians to treat a patient's nausea and upset stomach after a surgical procedure.

Mirtazapine—Mirtazapine is a tetracyclic antidepressant medication that is used for its appetite-stimulating properties. If a patient is suffering from a lack of appetite after a surgical procedure, Mirtazapine is administered to help encourage the patient to start eating.

About the Author

Dr. Evan Ware

Dr. Evan Ware is a veterinary practitioner in Phoenix, Arizona. He received both his undergraduate degree in microbiology and his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from The Ohio State University.

Dr. Ware is currently the Medical Director of University Animal Hospital (VCA) and is also the owner of two other hospitals, including Laveen Veterinary Center and Phoenix Veterinary Center. His areas of expertise include orthopedic medicine and surgery, veterinary oncology and chemotherapy, and general and advanced soft-tissue surgery.