1. Principles and Methods of Drug Administration
CHAPTER 3 – Part I
Dr. Dipa Brahmbhatt VMD MpH

2. Safe Drug Use ALL DRUGS ARE POTENTIAL POISONS
Appropriate administration of a drug includes
Appropriate dosage of right drug
Introduction of the appropriate amount of drug into the animal’s body
Appropriate route of administration

3. Safe Drug Use Cleanliness of all materials used
Clean hands, work surface, and supplies
All supplies for
administration should be on hand
Drug preparation: good lighting and minimal distractions
Accountability: Vet and Vet Tech.

4. Safe Drug Use
Drug order: date and time of order, name, dosage, route, frequency and duration of administration, signature of
prescriber
Unsure about a drug order ?
Incomplete order
Unclear order
Dosage outside the recommended range
DOCUMENT IN MEDICAL RECORDS !!!

5. Six Rights of Drug Administration
The right drug
The right dose
The right time
The right route
The right patient
The right documentation
AND Labeled correctly and explained to client correctly
Explained to client correctly according to AVMA owner consent: include client information sheets to understand risks associated with drug

6. The Right Drug Patient received the drug that was prescribed
Read the label on the container – 3X
Preparing drug for administration of drug check – 3X
The reason why the patient
is receiving the drug
DON’T USE UNLABELED CONTAINER

7. The Right Dose Right dose is patient specific
Calculate dose accurately
Estimate with prior knowledge
When in doubt have a second opinion in dose calculation
Calculate dose accurately: Vet / vet tech.
Estimate with prior knowledge e.g. 10 lbs 1 tab clavamox 62.5 mg so for 50 lbs dog is 10 tablets OK
Second opinion: Veterinary profession

8. The Right Time The time at which the dose should be administered
Daily drug doses are given at specific times during the day
This is done to keep plasma levels at the proper level to cause the desired effect without causing toxicity

9. The Right Route and Technique
The right route is the proper route of administration
The patient takes the whole dose at one time
Use aseptic techniques when administering drugs
Administer at the appropriate site

10. The Right Patient Specific medication is given to the proper patient
Cage: check the cage card and ID band
Exam room: ID patient by name
and verify with owner
Dispensing medication: read
the patient’s name to the owner
to ensure the right animal gets the right medication
Administration is checked by vet / vet tech.

11. The Right Documentation
Person administering the drugs must immediately record the appropriate information
The drug
Dosage administered
Time and date administered
The route and site
Patient’s response
The vet’s signature or initials
Safety and Legal obligation
Communication between professionals

12. The Right Documentation
If it was not documented it as not done’
Document if an owner refuses drug treatment and care for his/her animal including the reason for refusal
Client rights
Owner consent / Informed consent
Optimum care for you patients
Risks and benefits of treatment options
Signs document
Owner consent: Client having knowledge necessary to make a decision

13. The Therapeutic Range
The goal of medicating is to deliver the desired drug concentration within the target area of the body to achieve the desired effect
The drug concentration in the body that produces the desired effect in the animal with minimal or no signs of toxicity

14. The Therapeutic Range Minimum Toxic Conc. Drug Conc.
Toxicity
range
Minimum Toxic Conc.
Drug
Conc.
Therapeutic
range
Peak action occurs when drug reaches its highest blood/plasma conc.
Duration of action: Length of time the drug produces desired effects.
The drug dosage is determined by laboratory and clinical testing to keep the drug levels in the therapeutic range in the body
Min Effective Conc.
Subtherapeutic
range
Time

15. MORE drug is not better, LESS drug is not better
MORE drug is not better, LESS drug is not better. The more drug given, the more opportunities for organ damage to occur. The less amount of drug that is given, the less likely that the proper drug levels will be produced and the patient may not benefit from the medication

16. The Therapeutic Range
What makes a drug get in and stay in the THERAPEUTIC RANGE?
Health of the animal
Drug properties: Pharmacokinetics
balance
MAJOR FACTORS:
ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION
DOSE
DOSAGE INTERVAL