Big Daddy is a 7-year-old Basset Hound mix who was suffering from very sore paw pads, according to Chris Simmons, RPh, who recently shared this veterinary compounding case study in the PCCA Apothogram.
Pharmacy compounding is the art and science of preparing personalized medications for patients, it can be done for humans and animals. Compounded medications are made based on a practitioners prescription in which individual ingredients are mixed together in the exact strength and dosage form required by the patient. This method allows the compounding pharmacist to work with the patient and the prescriber to customize a medication to meet the patient’s specific needs.
When Chris met Big Daddy, his paws were bandaged, and his owners thought he had sore paw pads from walking on hard surfaces. Chris, however, thought it was likely hyperkeratosis, a condition characterized by a thickening of the skin on the paws and/or nose of cats and dogs.
“This causes the tissue to build up, crust over and fall off, exposing raw skin. It is very painful, resulting in the animal not wanting to walk or run, and even changes their disposition,” according to Simmons.
Simmons recommended they apply a pet medication of PCCA PracaSil-Plus with 2% tranilast and 1% diphenhydramine (PCCA Formula #12212 – Tranilast 2% / Diphenhydramine HCI 1% Topical Gel (PracaSil-Plus)) three times a day, as well as a 3% diphenhydramine spray (similar to PCCA Formula #9437) to be applied as needed to prevent licking.
In two weeks, the tissue on Big Daddy’s paw pads had healed significantly and he was no longer licking his paws.
This is another awesome case that shows how veterinary compounding can positively impact our pets and the families with pets who need special treatment.
“Always keep these questions in mind,” Simmons says, “Is there a commercial product for this condition? Is it working? If it isn’t, can [a pharmacist] prepare something different that is more fitting for this specific patient?”
(Source: PCCA Apothogram, August 2016)
Marlboro Drug Company offers HUMAN AND VETERINARY custom compounding service. For more information on how we can help you or your pet, visit our Pharmacy Compounding page.