Demonstrate administration of oral and topical medications.

Demonstration should include

• the importance of verifying patient identification and rechecking drug labels
• ways the form of the medication (e.g., paste, liquid, pill) affects the administration technique
• standard practices for medication administration, including “pilling,” restraint procedures, and aseptic techniques
• ways to prevent an animal from disturbing topically applied medications
• drugs that may pose an exposure risk to humans if absorbed through the skin.

Process/Skill Questions:

• What can be done to encourage a dog or cat that is holding a pill in its mouth to swallow the pill?
• What problems could arise from trying to hide a medication in food?