guffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff

1. Pharmacology
Assisting
Veterinary Medical Applications

2. What is “Pharmacology”?
• The branch of veterinary medicine
concerned with the uses, effects, and
administration of drugs.
• The study of drugs.

3. Identifying Medications
To identify medications in the
veterinary clinic you must first identify
the following:
Classification of drug
Form of drug
Route of administration
Method of administration

4. Classifications of Drugs
• What is a drug classification?
–Characterized by a drug’s action(s)
in the body or on target tissues.

5. Classifications of Drugs
Emetics- drugs used to induce vomiting
Antiemetics- drugs that relieve vomiting
Antidiarrheal agents- drugs used to lessen diarrhea
Cathartics- drugs that increase bowel motility or loosen
stools

6. Classifications of Drugs
Antacids- drugs that counteract stomach acid
Diuretics- drugs that increase the production of urine
Antibiotics- drugs that kill/inhibit growth of bacteria
Anti-inflammatories- drugs that reduce inflammation

7. Classifications of Drugs
Analgesics-drugs that relieve pain and raise the pain
threshold
Anesthetics- drugs that decreases feeling sensation; numbing
Anticonvulsants-drugs that inhibit seizures
Stimulants-drugs that excite the functional activity of an organ
Tranquilizers- drugs that sedate/quiet an anxious patient

8. Forms of Drugs
• What is a form?
–Characterized by a drug’s physical
composition or state such as:
–Solid tablet, syrup, lotion, ointment,
injectable, extract, etc…

9. Forms of Drugs
Solid- include tablets, gel capsules & coated tablets
Solution- a drug that is dissolved in a liquid and will
not settle if left sitting; syrups and elixirs
Suspension- a drug that is suspended but not
dissolved in the liquid. The particles will settle and
must be shaken before administered
Extract- agent composed of prepared plant/animal
parts rather than manufactured chemicals

10. Forms of Drugs
Topical- drugs that are liquid at room temperature
and applied to the surface of the skin; include
liniments and lotions
Semisolid- drugs that are semisolid in state at
room temperature and applied to the skin; include
ointments and pastes.
Injectable- drugs that are administered via a
needle and syringe

11. Routes of Drug Administration
What does “route of administration”
mean?
-the pathway a drug enters the body.
– Amount of drug that reaches the target tissue can be
significantly altered if the proper route is not used.
– Each route has its own pattern (speed/degree) of
drug absorption.

12. Routes of Drug Administration
Intravenous- (IV) injection into the vein
Intramuscular- (IM) injection into the muscle
Subcutaneous- (Sub-Q, SQ, SC) injection below the skin
Intradermal- application through the skin
Oral- given by mouth for digestive absorption
Inhalation- administration of aerosol, mist or gas for
respiratory absorption

13. Methods of Drug Administration
What are methods of administration?
-The techniques used to give the
drug to the patient.

14. 1. Injection administration
(given by a shot)
2. Oral administration
(given by mouth)
3. Topical administration
(applied to surface of skin)
4. Aerosol administration
(mist or gas for respiratory tract)
Methods of Drug Administration

15. It’s the law!
Controlled Substances – a substance that
has the potential for physical addiction,
physiologic addiction and/or abuse.
Controlled Substances Act of 1970 - a
practitioner who has controlled substances
stored in his/her office must keep these
drugs in a securely locked, substantially
constructed cabinet or safe.

16. Schedules of Controlled
Substances
C-I—No medical value, greatest restrictions; e.g., LSD, heroin
C-II—highly addictive; e.g., opium, morphine
C-III— some potential for abuse, less than C-II; e.g., ketamine
C-IV— low potential for abuse, may lead to limited
dependence; includes valium
C-V— subject to state/local regulation, low abuse potential;
least restrictions

17. Controlled Substances
Kept in a locked, sturdy storage cabinet.
Log must be kept of any controlled drug
that was used.
Records must state: date, purpose and
amount.
Records must include receipts of purchase
and sale of drugs.
Log must be kept for at least 2 years.

18. Equipment used in the
pharmacy
Pill Cutter
Pill Counter

19. Equipment used to
Administer Medications
Balling gun
Pet Piller
Tools used to administer solid pills, capsules and caplets

20. Using a Pet Piller

21. Equipment used to
Administer Medications
Syringes
Used to administer liquids
to a patient
–Disposable: to be
disposed of after one use
–Automatic/ Re-usable:
to be used many times

22. Syringes
-Identified by capacity (cc)
-larger cc syringes hold larger amounts of liquid

23. Equipment used to
Administer Medications
Needle Sizes come in various lengths.
– Sizes come in gauges 4-30.
– The larger the gauge #, the smaller the needle.
*Remember to dispose of properly in sharps container*

24. Equipment used to
Administer Medications
Notice how the smallest needle has the
largest gauge #.

25. Color Code Gauge
Needle
Lengths
(mm)
Needle
Diameter
(mm)
WHITE 16G 38 1.6
PINK 18G 38 1.2
CREAM 19G 38 1.1
YELLOW 20G 25, 32, 38 0.9
GREEN 21G 25, 32, 38 0.8
BLACK 22G 25, 32, 38 0.7
BLUE 23G 25, 32, 38 0.6
PURPLE 24G 25, 32, 38 0.55
ORANGE 25G 25, 32, 38 0.5
BROWN 26G 13, 38 0.45
LIGHT GREY 27G 19, 38 0.4
Disposable
needles may be
identified by their
color code.
Needles

26. TEKS:
130.6 Veterinary Medical Applications
• (15) The student identifies pharmacology-assisting procedures, skills, and
objectives that are included in the job description of an animal care
assistant. The student is expected to:
A. identify medications according to their classification, form, routes, and methods
of administration;
B. explain handling and distribution, protocol, and laws for controlled substances;
C. calculate dosage using factors such as concentration of drug, weight of animal,
and required dosage;
D. complete a prescription label with identifiers that are required by the United
States Food and Drug Administration; and
E. select equipment and instruments used to give medications.

27. Veterinary Pharmacology
A product of the Partnership for Environmental Education and Rural Health at
College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University
Funding support from the National Center for Research Resources, National Institutes of Health