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Humans as well as dogs have been good friends for at least fifteen thousand years. It may be possible that living so close to every other for so long has triggered similarities in specific traits as well as even in specific diseases. Obesity, hypothyroidism, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic disorders, as well as even specific cancers have been seen in both dogs as well as humans at a higher rate than those seen in the wolf that runs wild as well as has no human contact. Although a few of these similar conditions may likewise have similar solutions in pets as well as humans, it is important to note that the doses of medication utilized in humans as well as in dogs might vary greatly. this week Melissa Selinger, our pharmacist trainee from Nova Southeastern University, will provide an example of the difference in dosing for one of the most prominent medications utilized in both human as well as veterinary medicine.
Hypothyroidism, the condition in which the thyroid gland does not create sufficient thyroid hormone, occurs in both dogs as well as their human guardians alike. just as in people, the condition is treated by replacement of the deficient hormone with a synthetic type understood as levothyroxine, which is offered by the brand name Synthroid in human medicine as well as Soloxine in veterinary medicine.
When filling prescriptions meant for pets, healthcare experts as well as others who understand the human dose of this medication are sometimes surprised or concerned by the difference in dosing for pets versus their human counterparts. While on average, the levothyroxine dose in humans may be around 0.1 mg, a dog as bit as 10 pounds may be prescribed the exact same 0.1 mg dose. On a per-weight basis, that’s approximately 0.01 mg per pound in the dog versus 0.001 mg per pound in the human, or a ten-fold difference! While that may seem like a high dosage for the dog, differences in metabolism between types validate the higher dose. understanding this difference in dosing might decrease the possibility of making an error by potentially under-dosing the veterinary dose. When looking at a 1mg dose (never seen in humans) on a prescription, it might quickly be confused with the 0.1mg dose which is a extremely typical dose for humans.
In order to decrease the possibility of any type of errors from occurring, it is always a great concept to ask your veterinarian or pharmacist concerns about the condition of your pet, the name of the medication being prescribed, the dose being prescribed, the frequency of administration, as well as any type of other concern that you may have about exactly how to utilize the medicine that is to be given. It is important to bring up any type of concerns that you may have as well as make specific that you totally comprehend as well as are comfortable with the answers you are getting. As always, a 1800PetMeds pharmacist is happy to response any type of medication associated concerns that you may have.
Appropriate treatment of hypothyroidism with Soloxine or the generic version levothyroxine can assist bring back health and wellness to your dog as well as enable your cherished pal to online a happy as well as healthy life as part of your family.
Pet Medications