Medication mistakes with pets: How they happen, and how to handle them
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The Irreverent Vet says that medication mistakes are not just limited to prescribing the wrong medicine. They can include prescribing the wrong dose, or using the wrong method of administration. Even though vets are careful, and do everything they can to be sure your pet receives the treatment she needs, mistakes happen for the following reasons:
- Medications that look alike, or sound similar;
- Labels that look similar or are difficult to read;
- Labels that are missing information;
- Packaging with inadequate information on drug strength, dosage form and active ingredients;
- Poor-quality administration devices (like oral syringes);
- Use of error-prone abbreviations or symbols on written prescriptions;
- Illegible handwriting on written prescriptions;
- Miscommunication when verbally prescribing medicine;
- Human error when the prescription is filled;
- Owner error in administering the medications
Dr. Jennifer Coates, a PetMD writer, lists some mistakes on madmikesamerica.com in medication that have occurred when human pharmacies fill prescriptions for pets. However, like The Irreverent Vet, she argues that mistakes happen regardless. People and machines can screw up, and the risk of mistakes can be reduced, but not eliminated.
For us, pet people, the first and the best thing we can do is ask our vets about the medication being prescribed, including details about what it looks like. Then, we can compare that to what's on the label. If you're filling a prescription at your regular pharmacy, open the medication and look at it, and make sure it looks like what you were told, and that it matches the description on the label. Or make sure it's still the same medication you were given before, if this is an ongoing prescription.
If it's not, then don't be afraid to let the pharmacist know, and have them call your vet if they need to. Or you can call your vet yourself and ask, but be sure the new medication is safe for your pet before you start administering it. Mistakes in medication can lead to serious health problems that you don't want to deal with.
If you think you've given your pet too much medication, too little, or that they've gotten the wrong one, call your vet immediately to ask what to do. The Irreverent Vet says that you'll need to know whether to bring her in for immediate care, or if you just need to watch her for certain symptoms. You'll also need to get the correct medication, if you have the wrong one.
If your vet made a mistake, it's best to talk to them first. The Irreverent Vet is quite correct when he says that any vet worth their license will work to make things right as quickly as possible. So if it's not part of a pattern, call your vet, find out what you need to do for your pet, and then find out what they're willing to do to make the situation right.
Think about what you want to say, and what you want out of the situation. If your pet needs immediate treatment, then you'll definitely want your vet to get your pet in as soon as possible. But think hard about what else you want. Do you just want the error corrected, and an apology? Do you want the bill waived, or do you want reimbursement? Knowing what kind of reparations are acceptable, and knowing what you want to say before you call, will help this conversation go much more smoothly.
If this kind of mistake is part of a pattern, or if they're unwilling to help you out beyond giving you the correct medication, it's time to find another vet. You can also file a complaint with your state's board of veterinary medicine.
While we all hope that our pets are never the victim of a mistake in medication, unfortunately, bad things do happen. Hopefully, if this ever happens to you, you can get the situation resolved before any serious harm comes to your pet. Always remember that your pet's health comes first. Get her taken care of, and then try to work things out with your vet or pharmacist.
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