Pet Compounding Pharmacies are Changing the Future of Pet Health

As the famed American actor and producer James Cromwell once said, “Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation and responsibility to preserve and nurture and care for all life.” And, if you ask anyone who has ever had the pleasure and privilege of owning a pet, we are sure they’d agree. According to the APPA National Pet Owners Survey, 65 percent of homes in the United States owned at least one pet in 2015-2016, representing nearly 80 million homes. Two of the most popular pets in the United States continue to be dogs and cats, although American households have pets that range from freshwater fish to exotic animals.

With the sheer number of household pets in the United States, and the personalized care that we enjoy lavishing upon them, it should come as no surprise that the US pet industry is a booming business. With $60.28 billion spent in 2015, and a projected $62.75 billion to be spent in 2016, there seems to be no slowing down when it comes to the care that we give to our pets.
But where is all of this money going?

The Future of Pet Health

One of the biggest expenses in properly caring for a pet is health care. Between necessary surgical and emergency medical treatments to annual preventive health care, the costs tend to add up quickly. One of the biggest reasons that Americans are spending more on our pets is because are aging and getting older. In fact, more than 40 percent of dog owners have a senior dog, or a dog age 7 or older—and the percent of cat owners with senior cats is even higher. Aging animals suffer from a wide range of specific age-related conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, and a variety of coronary, cognitive, joint and/or immune system issues.

As we learn more about the needs of our pets, we are embracing new and better ways to care for them. When you consider your pets to be a part of your family, you want to do whatever you can do to make sure that they get the medical care that they need and deserve. And thanks to incredible leaps and advances in veterinary medicine, there are now many medications that help our pets live longer, healthier, and happier lives.

Unfortunately, many of these medications traditionally come in the form of pills to be taken orally, which can be especially hard to give to pets. While you understand that the medication is necessary to help your pet feel better, all your pet often associates with the event is fear and anxiety. Further, the pills can also be difficult to digest or hard on sensitive stomachs, causing a whole range of unpleasant gastrointestinal issues, including bloating, stomach pain, constipation, or diarrhea.

Specialized Medicine Formulated For Your Special Pet

This is where we come in. As a licensed veterinary compounding pharmacy, we have the ability to take many veterinary prescriptions and turn them into more easily applied forms, such as a topical liquid to be applied to the skin or into the inner ear. Not only is this process easier on both you and your pet, it also helps to ensure that your pet gets exactly what he or she needs. Additionally, for those pets who may have multiple conditions or conditions that require more than one medicine, some medications can be safely combined to cut down on dosages and dosing. And, if an oral prescription is required, we also have the ability to change the taste of the medication, making it more appealing to your pet.

A Skilled Veterinary Pharmacy to Provide Peace of Mind

At Pacifica Coast Pharmacy, our skilled pharmacists are trained in all aspects of pet pharmaceuticals and various compounding techniques, so pet owners can rest assured that their pets are in good hands, receiving the right medication in the right dosage as prescribed by their veterinarian.
When your pet needs medication, the last thing that you want to do is cause them unnecessary stress or anxiety. And this is where we come in. Our individualized approach to all health care allows us to address your unique pharmaceutical needs. Learn more about our specialties or the history of compounding. If you have any questions, or if we can help with any of your health care needs or those of your pet, feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you!