Handling and Administering Medications 4-H Veterinary Science Extension Veterinary Medicine Texas AgriLife Extension Service College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Texas A&M System

Objectives Discuss the measurement of calculated dosages of medication Define routes of administration of medications Describe the instruments used in administration of medications

Handling Medication Storage Dispensing Measuring Administering Medication Instruments Routes

Storage Very important Store products at Room temperature 60°- 80°F Refrigeration temperature 35°- 45°F Dry environment Dark environment READ THE LABEL!

Product distribution Non-transparent containers Do not Translucent containers Direct sunlight Indirect sunlight

So why is the sun bad? Reduces effectiveness Vaccines Antibiotics Hormones

Guidelines Refrigeration or room temperature Dark environment Sanitary conditions Prevent contamination  Loose effectiveness  Source of infection Do save remaining products Dried products Expiration date Seal

Dispensing Properly labeled Manufacturer’s Veterinarian Types of dispensing Over-the-counter (OTC) Veterinarian OTC Prescription  On-label  Extra-label

Regulations FDA State boards of veterinary medical examiners  TVMA

A label needs

Example

Measuring Drugs and chemicals Body weight determines dose Biologicals (vaccines, etc) Same dose for all

Dose is on the label Quantity measurements Liquids Cubic centimeters (cc)  Same as ml Ounces (oz) Solids Milligrams (mg) Grams (g) Ounces (oz) Pounds (lb) Pills Tablets (tab) Boluses

Animal weight Kilograms (kg) Pounds (lb) Remember 1 kg = 2.2 lb 1 lb = 0.45 kg

Conversions Pounds to kilograms or

Conversions Kilograms to pounds or

Convert mg/kg to mg/lb

Calculate Total Weight Dose

Convert Weight Dose to Total Volume Dose (concentration x total weight dose)

For example A drug concentration is 25 mg per cc, the total dose of the liquid drug at the rate of 5 mg per kg for a 44 pound dog.

Calculate Dose (method a) Convert mg to cc Total weight dose Convert lb to kg Total volume dose

Calculate Dose (method b) Convert mg to cc Total weight dose Convert lb to kg Total volume dose

Instruments How we get the drug into the animal Instrument depends on Drug Dose quantity Route of administration

Syringe and needle Syringes Measured in  cc  ml 1 to 60 cc in size

Needles Measured  Gauge  24 –14 G  Length  ¼ - 5 inches Higher the gauge the smaller the caliber Common  Dogs and cats  20 x ½  Horses  18 x 1  Cattle  16 x 1 ½

Drench syringe Large syringe with a nozzle instead of a needle Administer Liquids  Oral  Rectal

Balling Gun Administer Bolus Pills

Paste Administration Oral Anus Intra-mammary

Route Parenteral route Clean aseptic conditions Sterile instruments Clean surface Remove debris

Types

Enteral routes Disinfect instruments between animals Clean conditions

Types