The Use of Antibiotics in Dogs
Antibiotics are Some of the Most Commonly Prescribed Medications
Jun 14, 2009
It probably has happened to all dog owners to have their furry friend undergo a course of antibiotics for one reason or another. It could be Rover got an annoying urinary tract infection or it could be Sammy developed a serious tooth abscess. In these cases, a course of antibiotics has helped the dog overcome and effectively fight the infection.
Most antibiotics are prescribed for a 7-10 course where in order to be effective, the bottle of antibiotics must be finished as prescribed. Stopping the course of antibiotics on the 3rd or 4th day when the pet seems to be already doing better, is a big mistake as the infection may not be clear as of yet, and may ultimately make a full force return.
Complications Deriving from the Use of Antibiotics
While antibiotics can be life savers, they do come with a list of side effects. The most common are gastro-intestinal upset with vomiting and diarrhea. Some pets as humans, may also be allergic to antibiotics and pregnant dogs have been reported to deliver puppies with birth defects after being on a course of antibiotics.
In some cases, tracking dogs have been depleted from helpful bacteria found in thier nasal lining which helps them track better and catch scents, as they are supposed to. When this occurs, tracking dogs may lose some of their sense of smell during their second week of antibiotic treatment.
Antibiotics also are known to destroy beneficial bacteria found in the intestines, better known as the intestinal flora. For this reason, it is recommended to supplement the dog's diet with plain yogurt or pet store bought probiotics, which help replenish this healthy bacteria. Look for plain yogurt containing lactic acid ferments such as acidophilus and start supplementing the day your dog is on the last antibiotic tablet . However, it is best to consult with a veterinarian about adding dairy products because there are some antibiotics such as Tetracyclines which may lose effectiveness if combined with products containing calcium.
Why Antibiotics Should Not be Overused
The over use of antibiotics may cause in dogs over time to develop a resistance to bacteria and then a day may come where the dog becomes seriously ill, and he or she may become refractory to the drug. Antibiotics therefore, should be prescribed only when strictly necessary. They should not be given to 'prevent' a condition from arising unless there is a serious reason to do so, such as dealing with a particularly frail animal that may risk its life should an infection set in.
What Happens When Antibiotics do not Work
In some cases, dogs with infections at times may not get better, regardless of using antibiotics. These infections are known as 'refractory infections' and this resistance is often attributed to not using the most appropriate type of antibiotic to fight the bacteria. For this reason, veterinarians may chose to have the pet undergo a special laboratory test known as a 'culture and sensitivity' test which will specifically identify the offending bacteria so to identify the most effective antibiotic.
The question then is: ' Should all pets undergo such tests before having an antibiotic prescribed?' According to Mark G. Papich, DVM, in the article by T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM Pet Medications .. Use and Misuse, “For routine infections, empirical treatment with ‘first line’ drugs can be used without obtaining lab tests (culture and susceptibility tests) first. For refractory infections, or cases that are more serious and/or life-threatening, lab tests are recommended.”
For Further Reading:
Pet Medications .. Use and Misuse T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM.
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