Reviewer for Veterinary Pharmacology & Medicine in the VMLE.
1
Drug Classes
| Class | Use |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics | Bacterial infections |
| Anthelmintics | Internal parasites (worms) |
| NSAIDs | Pain & inflammation |
| Vaccines | Prevent disease |
2
Important Diseases
Know zoonoses (animal-to-human): rabies, brucellosis, leptospirosis. Rabies is nearly 100% fatal once symptoms appear — prevention by vaccination is vital.
⚠️ Common Mistake
Always observe drug withdrawal periods before milk/meat from treated food animals reaches consumers.
3
Dosage Principles
Dose is based on body weight (mg/kg). Calculate carefully — overdosing can be toxic, underdosing breeds resistance.
4
Dosage Calculation
A drug is dosed at 10 mg/kg for a 20 kg dog.
Dose = 10 mg/kg × 20 kg = 200 mg
📌 Quick Recap — Master These
Before your exam, make sure you can confidently explain and apply each of the following:
- Drug Classes
- Important Diseases
- Dosage Principles
- Dosage Calculation
Re-read any section above where you hesitate.