Educational Articles

Dogs + Medications & Supplements

  • Griseofulvin is given by mouth and is used on and off label to treat skin, hair, and nail fungal infections. Give as directed by your veterinarian. Common side effects include lack of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it, pregnant pets, breeding males, pets that have severe liver disease, or in cats with FIV or FeLV. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.

  • Hyaluronan topical (Optixcare wipes®) are used to remove sticky mucus, eye secretions, and crusty debris from around the eyes of dogs, cats, and other small pets. They contain chamomile and hyaluron, which are gentle cleaning supplements. They are used to manage tear staining around the eyes in pets prone to this condition.

  • Hyaluronate sodium ophthalmic (Remend®, I-drop®, Oculenis®) is a lubricating topical eye drop. It is used in dogs and cats to help lubricate and moisturize the eye and to minimize dryness and irritation. It is often used to support pets with decreased tear production, such as pets with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye). Hyaluronate sodium ophthalmic drops can be used to accelerate healing for pets with eye injuries.

  • Hydralazine is given by mouth and is used off label to treat high blood pressure and some causes of heart failure in cats and dogs. Side effects include decreased appetite, vomiting, and/or diarrhea. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it or in pets with heart vessel disease, low blood pressure, severe dehydration, or severe blood loss.

  • Hydrocodone is an opiate agonist given by mouth as a tablet or liquid and used off label to treat pain and dry cough in dogs. The most common side effects include sedation and constipation. Do not use this medication in pets that are allergic to opiates or that have ingested a toxin. Use with caution in debilitated or geriatric pets, pets with a head injury, or pets that have thyroid, heart, lung, liver, kidney, or adrenal disease. If a negative reaction occurs, call your veterinary office.

  • Hydrocortisone ophthalmic is a topical steroid medication used to treat surface inflammation in the conjunctiva of the eye. It is used to treat inflammatory eye conditions in cats and dogs. It may be used “off label” or “extra label” to treat eye conditions in animals other than cats or dogs. Hydrocortisone ophthalmic comes in ointment and liquid drop form. Avoid use in animals with viral or fungal infections, corneal ulceration, and birds.

  • Hydrocortisone topical is a medication applied to the skin that comes in many forms such as creams, ointments, shampoos and sprays, and is used to treat itchiness and inflammation. Side effects may include irritation at the application site, and with long-term use, can include thin skin, skin bumps, and blackheads. Use this medication with caution in pregnant pets or in pets with skin tuberculosis.

  • Hydrocortisone topical (brand names Zymax®, Vetergen Hydrocortisone, others) is a corticosteroid used to treat itching, skin irritation, and skin inflammation in dogs, cats, and other animals. It comes in a variety of forms and may be specially compounded and/or combined into a formulation with other medications. Its use may be off label (extra label) depending on the product formulation, species, and condition(s) being treated.

  • Hydroxyurea is given by mouth and is used off label to treat certain cancers in cats and dogs. Common side effects include bone marrow suppression, lack of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, mouth and stomach ulcers, loss of toenails and/or hair coat. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it, or in pregnant pets unless absolutely necessary. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.

  • Hydroxyzine is given by mouth or injection and is used off label to treat allergic or itchy conditions. Give as directed. The most common side effect is sedation. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it or cetirizine, or pets that have heart failure, urinary obstruction, or stomach obstruction. If a negative reaction occurs, please call your veterinary office.