Educational Articles
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Phenobarbital is given by mouth or as an injection to treat seizures or to sedate your pet. Common side effects include sleepiness, increased thirst, urination, and/or appetite. Do not use this medication in pets with liver, lung, or kidney disease or those that are allergic to barbiturates. If a negative reaction occurs, call your veterinary office.
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Phenoxybenzamine is given by mouth and is used off label to treat urination difficulty related to sphincter tone, high blood pressure related to pheochromocytoma, and laminitis in horses. Phenoxybenzamine should be given as directed by your veterinarian. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, small pupils, increased heart rate, and nasal congestion/stuffy nose. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it, in pets that cannot handle low blood pressure, or in horses with colic. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
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Phenylpropanolamine is given by mouth and is used on and off label to treat urinary incontinence. Give as directed by your veterinarian. The most common side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, increased thirst, restlessness, irritability, and difficulty urinating. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it or are pregnant. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
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Phytonadione (brand names: Mephyton®, Phytomenadione®, Aqua-Mephyton®, K-Caps®, Konakion®, Hemophyt®) is given by mouth and is used on and off label to treat vitamin K1 deficiencies in a variety of animal species, usually due to toxicities. Give as directed by your veterinarian. Side effects are uncommon. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.
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Phytosphingosine topical (brand names Douxo®, SkinGuard®) is an anti-inflammatory agent, with antibacterial and antifungal properties. It is used in cats and dogs to help relieve itching in certain skin conditions and help restore the skin barrier. Phytosphingosine topical may be part of a combination product.
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Pilocarpine is used off-label and given by mouth in food to treat neurogenic keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and used topically in the eye to diagnose cranial nerve III problems. Common side effects include irritation of the eye, and more severe side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, increased salivation and urination, and coughing. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it or that have secondary glaucoma.
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Pimobendan is a medication given by mouth as a tablet or liquid, used to treat congestive heart failure in dogs. Its use in cats is off label. The most common side effects include decreased appetite and diarrhea.
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Polyethylene glycol is an off-label laxative used to treat constipation and empty the colon in preparation for procedures such as colonoscopy. The most common side effects are diarrhea, flatulence, and abdominal cramping. Do not use it in pets that are allergic to it or in pets with an intestinal blockage/obstruction.
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Polymyxin B/miconazole/prednisolone otic (brand name Surolan), is a combination antibacterial (polymyxin B), antifungal (miconazole), and anti-inflammatory steroid (prednisolone) ear drop medication. It is used to treat ear infections in cats and dogs. It is used “off label” or “extra-label” in species other than cats and dogs and to treat conditions other than ear infections. Polymyxin B/miconazole/prednisolone otic comes in an otic suspension form.
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Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan is an injectable disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) used to treat non-infectious and traumatic arthritis in dogs. It is also used off-label in cats and small mammals. If administering this medication at home, follow your veterinarian’s instructions and dispose of the needle and syringe appropriately. Side effects are rare when given according to label recommendations and at prescribed intervals. Do not use this medication in pets with a known hypersensitivity to it, in pets with known or suspected bleeding disorders or immune-mediated arthritis, or in pets with severe kidney or liver disorders.
