{"id":76,"date":"2025-01-07T11:58:19","date_gmt":"2025-01-07T17:58:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.broadwayoaksanimalhospital.com\/blog\/?p=76"},"modified":"2025-01-07T11:58:19","modified_gmt":"2025-01-07T17:58:19","slug":"outdated-remedies-why-using-expired-pet-medications-can-do-more-harm-than-good","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.broadwayoaksanimalhospital.com\/blog\/outdated-remedies-why-using-expired-pet-medications-can-do-more-harm-than-good\/","title":{"rendered":"Outdated Remedies: Why Using Expired Pet Medications Can Do More Harm Than Good"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As you practice out with the old and in with the new this year, don\u2019t leave your pet supplies out of the mix. Broadway Oaks Animal Hospital<\/a> has some guidelines for you when it comes to getting rid of expired pet medications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Why Expiration Dates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Any medication that is prescribed by our hospital<\/a> will display an expiration date. This date can be found either on the original manufacturer packaging, or on the prescription label. This information helps our pet parents understand how to best use the medications we prescribe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Expiration dates on veterinary drugs are important because medications often decrease in efficacy and potency over time. This is due to chemical changes that take place with environmental exposure. Sometimes, changes can take place that can even result in  the medication becoming harmful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individual medications have a shelf life determined by the manufacturer and overseeing regulatory bodies like the FDA. Some last several years, while others only last only a few months. For many medications, the clock starts ticking as soon as the packaging is opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visual and other physical changes are not a reliable way to assess if a medication is still \u201cgood.\u201d Expiration dates help us to understand if we can expect the drug to be effective, and allow safe medication practices for pets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dangers of Expired Pet Meds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Expired pet medications are often not only useless, but they can pose hazards as well. The risks of using expired animal mediations often outweigh any benefit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If a medication expires, it may not directly cause harm, but it can certainly have some negative effects. These could include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n