Manufacturers provide a number of reasons why you shouldn't split medication that isn't scored with a clear line. Why can't some parasite preventatives be split? This may be the case with some topical applications, such as Revolution, which can be dosed in partial amounts to small pocket pets such as rabbits or guinea pigs. You have been instructed by your vet to do so.If you wish to crush another type of medication into food, we recommend checking with your vet first. However, as mentioned before, this only applies to parasite prevention. For example, if your dog or cat won't eat a chew, or a tablet is too large, it usually fine to split it into smaller pieces or crush it into food, so long as you can guarantee that your pet receives every part. You intend to give the whole dose, but just want to split the medication into smaller pieces to make it easier to give.In some cases, this can reduce the efficacy of the medication. Many tablets will disintegrate when they are removed from their packet and broken. You are able to use the remaining portions within a reasonable time frame.The medication comes with instructions for splitting - this is commonly seen with some brands of wormers such as Drontal tablets or Milbemax.A split line also makes it easier to break evenly, reducing the risk of over or underdosing. The tablet is 'scored' with a clear graduated line down the middle - this is a sign that the manufacturer created the medication to be 'okay to split'.If you wish to crush another type of medication into food, such as pain relief or antibiotics, we recommend you check with your vet beforehand.įirstly, let's talk about when it is okay to split your dog's parasite prevention chew, tablet or topical treatment. Note - this only applies to parasite prevention. A chewable medication will be crushed up by the time it reaches the stomach anyway, whereas some pills or capsules may need to be given whole, with an intact outer membrane. An easy way to check is by looking at whether the medication is meant to be chewed or not. However, there are certain circumstances where this is not advised. In general, this is usually fine so long as you can guarantee your pet will receive the entire dose. Or maybe you want to crush a tablet into something palatable, such as wet food, so your pet will accept it. Easier dosing perhaps you don't intend to divide the dose, but you just want to split a chew into smaller pieces so it is easier to give. However, manufacturers usually advise against this, except in certain circumstances. It's easy to assume that if you have a small dog who weighs 5kg, you should be able to buy a tablet for a 10kg dog and halve it especially if the medication dose seems to line up as an even double. Maybe your dogs are different sizes, and it seems more affordable to buy one packet, rather than multiple? Or maybe you have one pooch, and want your pack to last twice as long? Cost saving many people with small dogs, or multiple animals in the house, may want to buy a large dog chew and split it between their pint-sized pups. Why they say not to split: what can go wrong? Reasons why pet owners might want to split tabletsġ. Reasons why pet owners want to split tabletsĤ. Read on for more information about splitting parasite preventatives.ġ. This article is written by Pet Circle Veterinarian, Dr Carla PaszkowskiĪs vets, a common question we get asked is 'can I split my pet's parasite prevention in half?' There are a few reasons why a pet owner may wish to split their parasite prevention tablets or chews, and instances when it may be appropriate, and others when it is not.
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