Central Florida veterinarians are facing a shortage of basic medications including antibiotics,anesthetics and chemo drugs used on both people and pets.

Several human drugs are allowed to be used on pets under certain conditions.

Dr. Teresa Goodson, a veterinarian with Affiliated Veterinary Specialists in Maitland, said the shortages usually come without warning.

"I don't know if it's getting worse because these shortages come up quite randomly," Goodson said.

Goodson's staff listed three drugs that are currently not available: Amikacin (antibiotic), Zantac (antacid) and the "vet brand" of atropine, which helps increase heart rate.

The shortages include: propofol (anesthetic), adria, doxirubicin, cytosar, elspar, vincrisitne (chemo drugs), acetylcysteine, pamidronate, calcium gluconate (can be used with chemo drugs and also have other uses).

Goodson said she has "plan B" options in place, but there is a cost factor.

"Often times, those medications are more expensive, significantly more expensive, so while we may be able to get the medication, unfortunately it comes with a significantly increased cost," she said.

One of the drugs in short supply is Cytosar, an FDA approved chemo drug used in the treatment of GME, a painful nerve disorder that effects the dog's brain and spine.

Dawn Ireland's 3-year-old Belgian male Malinois was being treated for GME.

The dog was forced to go without the drug treatment for three months because Cytosar was in short supply.

"You definitely feel helpless, because there is nothing else you can do for them other than giving them the medication," she said.

As of this report, there are several drugs on back order including: duramorph, buprenorphine (pain meds), hetastarch (blood pressure), sucralfate (stomach), prednisone ( steroid).

Immiticide, a pet-specific drug used in the treatment of adult heart worms in dogs is currently unavailable because of a manufacturing issue.

The Institute for Safe Medication Practices told the Wall Street Journal that drugs become scarce for a number of reasons, ranging from "the unavailability of raw ingredients, FDA enforcement actions that halt production and voluntary recalls."