Your animals may need medications to prevent illness (vaccine) or when they are sick. You should work with a veterinarian to develop a health plan for your animals. This will help prevent them from getting sick. Also, if they do get sick, the veterinarian will be better able to treat them if he or she has worked with you and your animals before. Working closely with your veterinarian is sometimes known as having a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship, in which you are the client and your animals are the patients.
Some types of medications are referred to as over-the-counter or OTC medications. These medications can be purchased at general supply stores and can be used without being prescribed by a veterinarian. Other drugs and medications can only be purchased from a veterinarian and must be used under his or her direction. These are known as prescription drugs. Whenever you use a medication, whether it is OTC or prescription, there are some things you need to do to assure the quality and safety of the products that come from your animals.

Why is it important to follow the label?

• Certain animal medications can be harmful to humans. Medication left in an animal’s tissues is called residue. Over time, the medication leaves the animal’s body and no residue remains. If a meat or milk product contains enough residue, it may cause illness in people. For example, penicillin is sometimes used to treat infections in livestock. If penicillin residue remains in the meat after an animal is slaughtered, eating that meat could cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to penicillin.

• Withdrawal time is the time needed for the residue to leave the animal’s body so that the products are safe for human consumption.

• It is important to give the correct dose, as written on the label. Giving an animal more than the recommended dose can cause residue to remain in the tissue longer.

• Some medications can be used only on certain kinds of animals. For example, some medications can be given to cattle but not swine. Giving medication to an animal that is not listed on the label can increase withdrawal time or may cause other negative effects on the animal.

• Some medications need to be stored in a special way. Light, heat or air may make the medication ineffective. Always read the label before using and storing!

• Also, it is illegal to use a medication in a way other than what’s written on the label.