Family doctors aren't the only ones facing the question of whether to prescribe name-brand or generic drugs for their patients.

Nowadays, even Fido is receiving generic versions of medications to treat illnesses, aches and pains.

As patents expire for branded pet drugs, more generics are finding their way into veterinarians' offices.

In Portland, Putney Inc. is betting its future on continued growth in the pet generics markets. Founder and CEO Jean Hoffman says the company has launched two generic drugs for pets and has another 20 generics in the pipeline.

Industry consultant Bob Fountain of Fountain Agricounsel in Connecticut says an estimated 10 percent of animal health drugs are now generics. But he says many believe that generics will account for half of all pet medications within a decade.