Most dogs aren't exactly interested in learning about medicine. They don't like taking pills, and they avoid them if possible. They assume the vet knows best, and that's where their curiosity ends. I suppose that's okay. Dogs don't have high educational aspirations, after all. It's really scary, however, when our people aren't interested in our medications. That's when things can get a little fur-raising.

Let me say up front that I have tremendous respect for veterinarians. The ones I've known have literally saved lives in my family. As with human doctors, however, animal doctors are fallible. Pharmacists are fallible. Pet owners are fallible. That's why it's important to understand and manage the drugs your pet takes throughout his or her life.

Among the most common prescriptions for dogs are antibiotics for infections, NSAIDs for pain and inflammation, opioids for pain, steroids for allergies and immune system suppression, and antiparasitics for fleas and ticks. Other frequently prescribed drugs include those that modify behavior, regulate hormones, address heart problems, and treat tumors. We are lucky to have an arsenal of options to keep us healthy.

As with all drugs, though, there are benefits and risks. Every medication we take has the potential to cause harm. That reality has been lost to a society in which drugs are the go-to solution for whatever ails most people. It's often easier to pop a pill than change a diet, start an exercise regime, or get to the heart of a psychological issue. Too many doctors dole out antibiotics with abandon, and too many people let them. These problems are just as true for animals as they are for people. The difference is that the people are making medical decisions for us. We don't have a choice.

So what kind of role can you take in managing your pet's medications? First and foremost, tell your vet about everything your pet takes and has taken, including supplements and vitamins. You can also prioritize prevention before treatment becomes necessary. This means insuring high quality nutrition, providing regular opportunities for exercise, and reducing stress. When pharmaceuticals are necessary, tightly regulate who dispenses them and when. Store pet meds separately from people meds. Never substitute a human drug for a veterinary one. Do not give drugs intended for one animal to another without a vet's approval. And finally, always follow dosing instructions very carefully.

Failing to monitor and manage your pet's drugs can have dire consequences. NSAIDs, for instance, seem innocuous, especially because people may know them as Bayer, Advil, and Aleve in their own medicine cabinets. NSAIDs are powerful drugs, however, that can cause serious kidney, liver, and digestive problems (for pets and people). Likewise, steroids might seem like the perfect answer, but they can also set up the perfect storm. Suppressing a dog's immune system, while potentially necessary, can increase the likelihood of infections and secondary diseases, as well as a host of distressing side effects.

In keeping us healthy, as with all aspects of pet parenting, people have to be our advocates. Don't be afraid to speak up or get a second opinion if you're concerned about overmedicating us. Do your research and understand the benefits and risks of what the vet prescribes. And by all means, if you do have to give us a pill, always remember to hide it in a big chunk of banana. That's not an official recommendation, of course. But it's a personal must!