Former Epicur Advisory Council member Jodi Schumacher LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM) shares her insights on the important ways veterinary technicians can help pet owners improve their pet’s medication compliance. The tips she gives can help make at-home care easier for both the pet and the owner.
Veterinary medicine is a rewarding but demanding profession. Every day, veterinary professionals deal with sick animals as well as families who are usually under emotional duress worrying about their pets. Many times, the care the animal receives at the hospital needs to continue at home. In most circumstances, the medications and management of care needed at home are just as important to the recovery process as the direct care they received during their hospitalization. This is where veterinary technicians play a vital role.
3 Ways Vet Techs Can Create a Positive At-Home Care Outcome for Pets & Owners
For chronic health issues, medications are typically needed on a long-term basis. However, many pets are not entirely cooperative when receiving their medications. In these cases, medication administration may be dreaded by both the pet and the owner. These challenges can illicit strong feelings on the part of the pet owner that we, as veterinary professionals, need to be aware of—from frustration and inadequacy to even futility. Owners look to us for support; that means teaching them how to administer the medication and asking the right questions to determine what form of medication will be easiest for them to give to their pet. The goal is not just to simply get the medication into the patient, but to help the client learn to do it in the most calming, least anxiety-producing manner.
1. Preparing the Pet Owner for Home Care
Owners can quickly get overwhelmed when their pet is ill, and they may rely heavily on veterinary technicians to help them relax and feel comfortable with care.
Before the owner even leaves the hospital, discuss in detail the administration of medications at the discharge appointment and determine if there may be any hesitancy. There is a much higher chance of success when medications and route of administration are addressed ahead of time. As technicians, it is extremely important to ask owners, when the medications are being prescribed, if they think they will have any difficulty administering them and if they are aware of their pet’s ability to take tablets or liquids.
If you sense uncertainty or hesitation, it’s important to educate owners about the many different forms of medicine that can be compounded to support successful treatment, such as capsules, transdermal, mini tablets, chewable, and soft treats. Gaining as much information as possible can help the veterinary staff educate owners and find the best and least stressful approach for them to care for their pet at home. As veterinary technicians, we have the opportunity to build client trust and loyalty by helping them find the right formulation for their pet.
2. Explain the Options Because They Don’t Know to Ask
Even if a pet owner says their pet readily accepts medication, it may be worth explaining that there are usually additional options with some formulations that can make administration even easier. Compounding pharmacies can often offer alternatives if the traditional form of the medication isn’t ideal. This is an important conversation to have with any pet owner about medications prescribed to their pet, regardless of administration apprehension or not. Having a relationship with a compounding pharmacy can ensure that owners have access to the easiest form of medication administration that allows for pets to receive home care in a calm manner and avoid any unnecessary stress or in extreme cases, owners being bitten by their own pets when trying to medicate them.
It is important to note that not all medications can be compounded, but many can. Some medications can also be flavored to entice a pet to readily accept it as a treat. If a pet owner has concerns that their pet has allergies that will be negatively impacted by the flavoring, you can reassure them that, in most circumstances, the pharmacy can help them find a flavoring that won’t have adverse effects.
Getting higher concentrations of medication in most incidences is another potential benefit, so that small quantities of medication can be given with each dose, making it easier for the owners to administer.
503A & 503B Facts:
Customized medications are a benefit of 503A compounding pharmacy partners. For many 503A medications, depending on dosage form, a flavor can be chosen. Because 503B medications are manufactured in bulk for office-use, there isn’t the option to change flavoring but they do offer longer expiration dates and dispensing opportunities.
3. Educate the Owner About Compounded Medications
Although compounded medications are usually more expensive, there is generally much less wasted medication because administration success is typically achieved the first time. This equates to less waste and more cost-effectiveness.
The pharmacy will also work with owners by discussing if it’s more cost-effective for an owner to be prescribed a three-month course if the pet will need long-term medication. Be sure to guide pet owners on best practices for storage and expiration dates if this is the route that they use for their pet.
There are many options for owners when it comes to getting the right medication for their pet and veterinary technicians are essential to educating clients, so they are aware of all the possibilities that are available to them through a compounding pharmacy. This not only adds to the perceived value of the veterinary clinic but demonstrates a deeper level of personalization and care for the pet and family.
