Antibiotics are widely used drugs in both human and veterinary medicine. There are different types and, although they are always used to combat or prevent bacterial infections, you will have to choose one or the other depending on the bacteria present.
In addition, it is essential to find the correct dose and continue the treatment until it is finished, even if we notice improvement beforehand. The misuse of antibiotics is the cause of the emergence of dangerous bacterial resistance, which can cause bacteria to appear that we cannot eliminate with any of them.
To avoid contraindications and side effects, remember that you should never give your dog antibiotics if they have not been prescribed by a veterinarian and, in this case, follow his instructions scrupulously. In this article on our site we talk about antibiotics for dogs, types, doses and uses
Can I give my dog antibiotics?
Yes, antibiotics are drugs that can also be prescribed for dogs to fight infections caused by bacteria. But this does not mean that we can give our dog any antibiotic that we have in our medicine cabinet when he shows any sign of illness.
First because these drugs are only effective against bacteria. Second, because you have to know which antibiotic is the right one, at what dose, how many times a day and for how long. So, yes, you can give your dog antibiotics as long as your vet prescribes themand as directed by your vet. Never give antibiotics to dogs without a prescription.
What are antibiotics for dogs and what are they for?
Antibiotics are chemotherapeutic drugs, this means that by themselves they carry out a therapy with only chemical means. This medication is used to prevent and treat diseases caused by bacteria, they have no effect on viral diseases, but they can be prescribed, for example, antibiotics for dogs with distemper or antibiotics for dogs with hepatitis, in order to control the appearance of secondary bacterial infections.
Antibiotics act by preventing the growth of bacteria or eliminating them, depending on the nature of each antibiotic substance. For example, your vet will prescribe antibiotics for your dog in situations like the following:
- After any type of surgical intervention, such as castration in dogs, to prevent the incisions from becoming infected or to prevent any type of systemic infection that could affect the entire body.
- In the event of tick bites or other parasites or skin damage to prevent the injury from becoming infected or to treat an existing infection. This is why, for example, antibiotics may be prescribed for dogs with open wounds.
- They can also be prescribed when your dog is sick, for example when he has a fever, and the vet diagnoses an illness caused by bacteria.
Types of antibiotics for dogs
There are two types of antibiotics:
- The selective antibiotics, that is, those that only act against certain bacteria.
- The Broad-spectrum antibiotics, which act against a very large number of bacteria.
Sometimes, broad-spectrum antibiotics are combined with other substances that, without being antibiotics, are intended to increase the effect of the drug. The best known example, which is used in humans and dogs, is amoxicillin accompanied by clavulanic acid, which reinforces the antibiotic action.
Dog antibiotic dosage
It is not possible to give a dose that works for all antibiotics and for all dogs, since the amount needed will depend on the dog's condition, the presentation of the drug, the number of times a day given or the weight of the animal.
Therefore, only the veterinarian can set the dose and always after examining the dog, diagnosing it and deciding on the most appropriate antibiotic treatment for your recovery. The most important thing is that we follow their instructions and respect the marked dose, as well as the frequency of administration and the duration of the treatment. We must also pay attention to how to give the antibiotic, since it is necessary to confirm, for example, if it can be mixed with food or not.
Contraindications of antibiotics for dogs
If your dog has shown any allergic reaction to an antibiotic, it is not recommended to give it again and the veterinarian will have to find another equivalent. Also, if he is taking any other drug or you want to give him, you should inform the veterinarian, since antibiotics can interact with other medications During pregnancy and lactation the administration of antibiotics is at the discretion of the veterinarian, who will have to assess the advantages and disadvantages of their use.
Antibiotic Side Effects for Dogs
Apart from the fact that any drug that has not been taken before can cause an allergic reaction, antibiotics generally give another series of problems. As we explained at the beginning, there are broad-spectrum antibiotics that act against a significant number of bacteria, both good and bad.
This means that the dog's intestinal flora will be damaged, and it is he althy and necessary to maintain its defenses and balance. Antibiotic treatments harm the body's own flora and this results in general malaise, diarrhoea, nausea, loss of appetite and even vomiting.
To avoid this, talk to your vet so I can recommend some probiotics for dogs. These products contain bacteria naturally present in the intestinal flora of the dog and prevent the destruction of its defenses.
