Record the brand and the generic name

Farm talk often uses a shop name. The same active ingredient can appear under many brands, and similar brand names can hide different drugs or strengths.

The double-entry rule

For every treatment, write both:

• Brand — what is printed on the box or bottle you are holding.
• Generic / active ingredient — the drug name on the label.
• Concentration — strength on that pack, not a memory of last year’s pack.

Check the physical container every time. Products are reformulated. Sharing a leftover syringe with “the same stuff” is how mix-ups start.

What is never enough

“Give the dewormer.” “Use the white tablets.” “Same as last time.” None of those identify the drug, the species, the route, or the food-animal rules.

Human pharmacy products are a high-risk area. Do not give people medicine to animals because it worked for a person.

If the label is missing, stained, or expired, do not use the product. Put it in the disposal box and get a labelled replacement with veterinary advice.

In this series

• Before you give any medicine: a farm safety checklist
• Treat the problem, not the symptom
• Record the brand and the generic name
• Species, pregnancy, and high-risk differences
• Food animals: meat, milk, and egg withdrawal
• Medicine cabinet layout and the treatment log