Are Antibiotics Necessary For Your Pet?
Antibiotics may be necessary when a pet has bacterial infections, such as pyoderma, bronchitis, or pneumonia. They are also useful if the animal has developed resistant strains of bacteria to other treatment methods. Antibiotics will not be prescribed for uncomplicated virus infections like rhinitis or kennel cough and are generally not recommended for pets with pre-existing kidney diseases.
Many antibiotics are available over-the-counter (OTC) at your local pharmacy while others require a prescription from your veterinarian. And remember, the more expensive the treatment, the greater risk you have for a resistant bacteria to afflict your pet.
When do antibiotics not work?
Antibiotics are not effective if given too early. It is advisable to wait until your pet has had at least 24 hours of being ill before prescribing any type of antibiotics. If you dispense antibiotics after this time frame, and if it turns out that your pet has only been suffering from a viral infection, there is a good chance that it will become resistant to the antibiotic. Also, giving more than one antibiotic at the same time can lead to resistance in healthy bacteria in your pet’s body. You should only use antibiotics when they are needed.
When should you not give antibiotics?
A common rule of thumb is to never prescribe an antibiotic without a culture and sensitivity test. If you only wait for two or three days to see if your pet’s illness subside before referring your pet to a vet, chances are that your animal is suffering from an infection that can be cured by antibiotics. However, if the symptoms are persistent after three days of treatment, tests should be performed in order to find out what kind of infection it is and what kind of antibiotic will suit it best.
It is also important for you to keep in mind that some antibiotics are dangerous when administered with other types of medications. This can be the case with some herbal antibiotics, such as garlic and wood sorrel. Be sure to consult your veterinarian before giving your pet any herbs.
There are many factors that should be taken into consideration when deciding if an antibiotic is necessary. Some of these variables are:
- Antibiotics may decrease your pet’s swimming ability temporarily if administered shortly before going into a chlorinated pool or spa. Some antibiotics also interfere with chlorine levels in a water system, causing it to become more difficult for chlorine to break down and remove all bacteria.
- Some antibiotics can cause diarrhea in dogs and cats. This is why many vets will not prescribe them for young animals or cats with upper respiratory infections.
- Antibiotics can mask the symptoms of certain diseases and may prolong existing disease.
Antibiotics are dangerous on a very basic level, as they lead to:
It is important to know that antibiotics have very specific purposes. They are not always necessary for your pet and can be dangerous if they are taken without a prescription. Also, the more you administer them, the greater risk of creating resistant strains of bacteria in your pet’s body. If you need to use an antibiotic for your pet there are ways to monitor the other treatments that are being used and adjust their dosage accordingly. Take into consideration what kind of antibiotic your veterinarian prescribed, as some can interact with other medications.
Remember that the stewardship you have over your pet is about much more than just taking care of its health. It is also about understanding how to take care of them while they are suffering from an illness or condition that cannot be cured by medication. When it comes to dealing with a pet that has developed resistance to antibiotics, there really isn’t such a thing as killing all the bacteria in the body. There are a couple of factors that can make treating these cases a bit easier, though.
One of the greatest challenges in treating dogs and cats with antibiotic-resistant infections is making them comfortable while administering the treatment, because they will most likely have to be hospitalized for quite some time. A good way to make your pet as comfortable as possible while it is undergoing treatment is by purchasing a heated pet bed or an electric blanket, if the animal has cold paws. Another great option is to ask your vet about giving your cat or dog some pain relievers so as to ease any discomfort they may have while they are being treated.
If you are dealing with a pet that has developed antibiotic-resistant bacteria within its body, then it is best to take it to a vet who is an expert in dealing with this type of medical condition. Antibiotic-resistant infections can be very serious and cannot be treated by just any vet. It is important to know that there are certain veterinarians who are more experienced in dealing with complex cases like this. It is important to check compatibility with pets food
Antibiotic-resistant Infection
If your pet has developed an antibiotic-resistant infection, there is a good chance that they will have to be hospitalized for a long time. But you don’t need to feel guilty about leaving your pet at the vets; there are many other steps you can take to make sure they are happy while they are being treated for their illness. The good thing about pets with antibiotic-resistant infections is that they do not usually suffer from pain, as long as the bacteria have not spread too far into the body. Even though it is not easy to leave your pet with a stranger, make sure that the staff at the vet’s office know your pet well and that they can take care of any needs they may have. Be sure to ask a lot of questions about what is going on with their treatment, including pain management. You may even want to leave prescription pain relievers for the staff if you feel your pet is suffering from too much discomfort.
