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  • Platynosomiasis is a disease caused by a parasitic worm called a liver fluke. It affects cats in tropical and subtropical regions. The lifecycle is complex and involves several hosts. Cats can become infected by ingesting lizards or amphibians that have the larval stages of the fluke. The flukes live in the bile ducts and gall bladder of affected cats, causing symptoms of liver disease.

  • Lotilaner is used to treat and prevent flea infestations and treat and control tick infestations in dogs and cats. After being administered to a pet, lotilaner is distributed throughout the body. When fleas or ticks bite the dog or cat, they are exposed to the drug and killed during their blood meal.

  • Once a pet has lost some weight, the new goal is to make sure that excess weight stays off. Pet parents who partner with their veterinary health care team for support and who focus on changing their behaviors often have the most success. Examples of some changes include using a different food or a different feeding method, focusing more on portion control, and incorporating some movement or activity time into each day. This article addresses several commonly asked questions about how to help a pet during the maintenance phase (after the weight has been lost).

  • Medium chain triglycerides (MCT) oil is a lipid (fat) used as a nutritional supplement to provide calories and fatty acids to dogs on fat-restricted diets. It has also been used to help with cognitive dysfunction in dogs and cats, as well as a supportive treatment for epilepsy in dogs. MCT oil comes in an oral form to be given with food. Avoid use in animals with severe liver disease.

  • Meropenem is an antibiotic used to treat multi-drug-resistant bacterial infections in cats and dogs, particularly infections caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Its use in veterinary medicine is limited to susceptible infections with documented resistance to other antimicrobials. Its use is off label in veterinary medicine. Meropenem comes in an injectable form.

  • Methionine (brand name Methio-Form) is a nutritional supplement used to make urine more acidic in cats and dogs. Urine acidifiers help manage certain types of urolithiasis (urinary stones). Methionine comes in gel, chewable, powder, and tablet forms. Monitor urine pH and seek immediate veterinary care if signs of Heinz-body anemia appear in cats (pale gums, red-brown urine, weakness).

  • Metoprolol is a beta-blocker used to treat certain heart rhythm problems and hypertension (high blood pressure) in cats and dogs. It has also been used in the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats. It is used off label (extra label) in veterinary medicine.

  • Miconazole + chlorhexidine + tris-EDTA topical (brand name MiconaHex+Triz®) is an antifungal and antimicrobial cleansing agent used in the treatment of surface skin infections and to enhance the effectiveness of other topical antibiotics in cats and dogs. It comes in spray, mousse, shampoo, and wipe forms.

  • Miconazole otic is an antifungal used in the treatment of external ear infections (otitis externa) caused by fungal organisms in cats, dogs, and other animals. It may be specially compounded and/or combined into a formulation with other medications. Miconazole otic comes in ointment or liquid drop suspension forms that may be specially compounded.

  • Miconazole topical is an antifungal used in the treatment of skin infections caused by yeast in cats and dogs. It may be used “off-label” or “extra label” for other conditions and in other animals. It may be specially compounded and/or combined into a formulation with other medications. Miconazole topical comes in a variety of forms.