Articles
-
Paroxetine (brand names: Paxil®, Brisdelle®) is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant used to treat canine aggression, anxiety, and stereotypic/obsessive compulsive behaviors. In cats, it has been used to treat aggression, urine marking, and other behavior problems.
-
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a heart defect that occurs when the ductus arteriosus (an opening between the aorta and the pulmonary artery) fails to close at birth. A PDA is usually diagnosed when your veterinarian hears a continuous heart murmur during a routine physical examination of your puppy. This article explains PDA and discusses signs, treatment, and prognosis for this condition.
-
Penetrating wounds can look minor on the surface but may cause severe injury below the skin. A thorough assessment requires sedation or anesthesia and surgery may be required to address the extent of the injury. This handout outlines first aid steps a pet owner can take while transporting their injured pet to the veterinary hospital.
-
Penicillamine is used to treat copper-storage disease and copper-related liver disease in cats and dogs, subclinical hepatitis in Dobermans, and to treat cystine bladder stones in dogs. It has also been used as an antidote and chelating agent in the treatment of lead or mercury poisoning in birds, cats, and dogs.
-
Penicillin G (brand names VetriPen G, PenOne Pro, others), is an antibiotic used to treat susceptible infections in cats, dogs, chickens, horses, livestock, ferrets, hedgehogs, rabbits, and other animals. It is used off label (extra label) in cats, dogs, and other companion animals. Penicillin G comes in injectable suspension form. Caution when using in rabbits and other animals sensitive to penicillin-like drugs.
-
Penicillin V is a penicillin antibiotic used to treat streptococcus bacterial infections in dogs and cats. This medication is used off-label in veterinary medicine. Do not use in rabbits and rodents. Penicillin V comes in several oral forms that must be given on an empty stomach.
-
A Penrose drain is a latex tube placed into a wound with one or two ends exiting the skin, allowing fluids to drain from the wound. Removing this unwanted fluid and pus helps the wound heal. This handout provides post-operative wound care instructions for cats sent home with a Penrose drain.
-
Pentosan polysulfate sodium (brand name: Cartrophen) is a disease modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) used to treat noninfectious and traumatic arthritis in dogs and used off label (extra label) in cats. It is given as a series of 4 subcutaneous injections and may be repeated up to 3 times per year.
-
Pentoxifylline (brand names: Trental®, PTX) is used to treat certain immune-mediated skin conditions and inflammation of the blood vessels that lead to poor blood flow, including ear margin dermatitis and cutaneous lupus in dogs, and navicular disease in horses. Its use in cats, dogs, and horses to treat skin and vessel disease is off label (extra label).
-
Pericardial effusion refers to the abnormal accumulation of fluid in the sac surrounding the heart. Pericardial effusion can have a number of underlying causes, including inflammation, infection, cancer, and hereditary defects. Mild cases of pericardial effusion may be asymptomatic, but more significant fluid accumulations can interfere with the heart’s function and lead to severe effects such as sudden death. Treatment and prognosis is dependent upon the underlying cause of the condition.