Antibiotics in Dogs

Medical advice is needed if the dog is sick, lies down in his place, and no longer eats. Often there is a disease that needs to be treated. In the case of bacterial infections, the vet prescribes an antibiotic for the dog. After a short period of treatment, the dog is fit again. But are there also side effects?

Contents

1 Antibiotics in Dogs
2 Antibiotic Treatment in Dogs
3 Potential Side Effects of Antibiotics in Dogs?
4 Diseases in dogs where antibiotics are commonly used
5 Most Common Antibiotics used for Dogs
6 Summary

How Antibiotics work in Dogs?

If a sick dog is given an antibiotic, the drug destroys disease-causing bacteria in the dog’s body. It acts either as bacteriostatic, which means that it inhibits the multiplication of bacteria, or bactericidal, which kills the bacteria.

Most antibiotics belong to the first group, so they prevent bacteria from duplicating. Then, the dog’s immune system does the rest, destroying the harmful bacteria. The drugs of the second group, the bactericidal agents, destroy the cell structure of the bacteria and thus kill them. Amoxicillin for dogs belongs to this group.

So, an antibiotic is an effective remedy for a bacterial infection such as leptospirosis or pyoderma. But on the other hand, they do not affect viruses, fungi and parasites.

What different Antibiotics are administered

Bacteriostatic antibiotics: inhibit the division and multiplication of bacteria. The immune system fights the bacteria already in the dog’s body.
Bactericidal antibiotics: the cell structure of the bacteria is destroyed. The germs are killed.

Why different Antibiotics are used?

Different bacteria cannot be controlled by only one antibiotic
Some bacteria have developed resistance to one antibiotic
The most effective antibiotic must be found for each type of bacteria
An antibiogram helps clarify which antibiotics are effective

What are Reserve Antibiotics?

A reserve antibiotic is used only when the bacteria are already resistant to all other antibiotics. Since pharmaceutical companies develop hardly any new antibiotics for financial reasons, reserve antibiotics should only be used in life-threatening conditions and not in factory farming.

Antibiotic Treatment in Dogs

What Conditions Are Treated With Antibiotics in Dogs?

Antibiotics are used to treat a variety of infections in dogs, which can affect different parts of the body and be caused by various types of bacteria. The most common infections treated with antibiotics in dogs include:

Urinary tract infections
Ear infections
Eye infections
Skin infections such as pyoderma
Respiratory infections
Gastrointestinal infections
Tissue infections that may result from injury or surgery

How are antibiotics administered in dogs?

If the dog needs an antibiotic due to a bacterial disease, there are several ways to administer them. Antibiotics for dogs are available as capsules, tablets, ointments, juices and powders. Often, the veterinarian will administer a shot of antibiotics to the dog in the doctor’s office, and the owners will be given tablets to take home for further treatment.

How antibiotics can be administered:

Injections
Infusions
Tablets
Capsules
Juice
Eye drops
Ointments

When do antibiotics start to work in dogs?

If the antibiotic is administered as a capsule, juice or tablet, it enters the dog’s stomach via the esophagus. From there, it moves to the small intestine and is finally absorbed by the blood. After about 30 minutes to two hours, the concentration of an active ingredient in the blood is so high that the administered agent begins to take effect.

How quickly an effect of the antibiotics sets in depends on the form of administration:

Tablets and capsules must first enter the small intestine before the antibiotic can be absorbed into the blood. As a result, the effect often only sets in after two hours.
Injections or infusions achieve a faster effect. Here, the effect can begin after only 30 minutes.
Combination: An injection with antibiotics is often administered, and the owner can continue further treatment with tablets at home.

Depending on the stage of the disease the dog is in, it may take one to two days before the dog’s general condition improves.

What must be strictly considered during treatment with antibiotics:

The dosage and duration of treatment must always be followed as prescribed.
If the dog cannot be given the medication, the veterinarian must always be consulted. Only then can another form of administration be selected.
The antibiotic must still be given even if the dog no longer shows symptoms.
Independent use of antibiotics leads to unavoidable side effects
Even if the dog is tired, the treatment should not be discontinued
If there is no improvement, the veterinarian must be consulted again.
Antibiotic treatments can last up to four weeks.
An opened package must be disposed of at the pharmacy or via hazardous waste. It must not be used for the subsequent treatment!
Antibiotics for humans may only be used on your dog after consultation with the veterinarian and a dosage adjustment.

In many cases, the dog appears completely healthy again before the prescribed package of antibiotics is completely used. However, to prevent bacteria from gaining the upper hand again, dog owners must follow the veterinarian’s instructions strictly.

Can Overdosage of Antibiotics occur?

It is possible for dogs to overdose on antibiotics if they are given too much or if they consume the medication accidentally. Symptoms of an antibiotic overdose in dogs may include gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and loss of appetite, as well as central nervous system effects such as seizures or tremors.

If you believe your dog has overdosed on antibiotics, it is important to seek advice from a professional immediately. You can contact your regular veterinarian, a pet emergency center, or a pet poison control service like ASPCA Animal Poison Control or Pet Poison Helpline. The veterinarian may recommend inducing vomiting if the overdose occurred recently and may need to perform follow-up testing and treatment in person.

Can You Use Antibiotics for Humans also in Dogs?

It is not recommended to use human antibiotics for your dog, as the dosage that is appropriate for a person may be different than what is safe for a dog.

It is important to leave the diagnosis and treatment of your dog to a veterinarian, who is trained to determine the appropriate dosage and the best course of treatment. Self-diagnosis and self-treatment can be risky and may not address the underlying issue. It is best to trust the expertise of a veterinarian in these matters.

Potential Side Effects of Antibiotics in Dogs?

If dogs receive a specific antibiotic from the vet, owners can be sure the veterinarian carefully selected the agent. Unfortunately, antibiotic treatment may attack harmful bacteria and the body’s own beneficial bacteria. Some animals react with flatulence and diarrhea. This is a rare occurrence but is becoming more common with long-term therapies.

In addition, the bacteria that infected the Dog may develop resistance. Bacteria are very adaptable; especially if the treatment is stopped prematurely, they can become robust against the drug. However, if treatment is then resumed, the agent may not work. In these cases, the veterinarian will have to resort to another remedy.

Antibiotics can make the Dog tired. The Dog may have less desire to play because his body is on full blast fighting bacteria. However, after the treatment is finished, the Dog will quickly regain his usual energy level.

Most common side effects of antibiotic usage:

Diarrhea due to an impairment of intestinal bacteria.
Vomiting
Flatulence
Fatigue
Yeast infections
Loss of Appetite
Skin rashes due to allergic reactions
Interactions with other medications

Caution: Simultaneous treatment with herbs may interfere with the effect of antibiotics.
IMPORTANT: Treatment with antibiotics should always be done after consulting your veterinarian.

Imbalance in Dogs Gut Microbiome

The gut microbiome is the community of microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal tract of an animal, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. In dogs, the gut microbiome plays a vital role in maintaining overall health and well-being. It helps to digest food, produce vitamins, and protect against harmful pathogens.

A healthy gut microbiome is essential for a healthy immune system, and an imbalance in the microbiome can lead to various health issues. Factors that can affect the balance of the microbiome in dogs include diet, age, stress, and exposure to antibiotics and other medications.

Probiotics, which are live microorganisms that are similar to the beneficial bacteria found in the gut, may be helpful in maintaining a healthy microbiome balance in dogs.

It is important to consult with a veterinarian before giving probiotics to your dog, as the appropriate dosage and type of probiotic may vary depending on the individual dog’s needs.

The use of antibiotics can unintentionally affect the balance of bacteria in the body’s microbiome, leading to gastrointestinal issues and skin problems such as yeast infections.

Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when bacteria become resistant to traditional antibiotic treatment due to overuse of antibiotics. This can make it difficult to treat infections in individual dogs effectively and can also pose a threat to public health by making it more challenging to treat diseases caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans and other animals.

Therefore, it is essential only to use antibiotics when necessary and at the appropriate dosage, as recommended by guidelines. Your veterinarian will carefully consider these factors when prescribing antibiotics for your dog.

Diseases in dogs where antibiotics are commonly used

Antibiotics for ear infections in dogs

If the dog suffers from acute inflammation of the ears (otitis), antibiotic treatment can help. First, the veterinarian will clean the dog’s ears and then analyze what caused the otitis. If bacteria are the trigger, he will prescribe ear drops with an antibiotic effect.

Tooth Infections

Tooth infections in dogs are often treated with antibiotics because the infection is usually caused by bacteria.

Intestinal parasites in dogs and antibiotics

If the dog has frequent diarrhea and vomits frequently, there may be a disease with Giardia. First, the veterinarian will try to destroy the parasites with the preparation of fenbendazole. If the remedy shows no or insufficient effect, an antibiotic is additionally used for Giardia in dogs.

Lyme disease after a tick bite – antibiotic can help

Anyone who owns a dog knows the problem: after a day in the great outdoors, a tick has bitten down on the dog.

This can transmit various diseases. One of these is Lyme disease. An antibiotic is used to treat Lyme disease in dogs to prevent the borrelia from spreading in the body and damaging it.

Different Dog Parasites, lice, ticks, fleas ->

Most Common Antibiotics used for Dogs

There are several types of antibiotics that are commonly prescribed for dogs, including:

Amoxicillin – This antibiotic is often used to treat skin and tissue infections, as well as respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.
Cephalexin – This medication is typically used to treat bacterial infections, such as those that may occur in a cut or broken bone, and may also be used for the treatment of bladder infections. It is important to check the proper dosage for dogs and consult with a veterinarian before administering cephalexin.
Clavamox – This antibiotic can be used as a stronger version of amoxicillin and is often used to treat E. coli infections, such as urinary tract infections.
Clindamycin – This antibiotic is frequently prescribed by veterinarians and is often used to quickly control bacterial and soft tissue infections.
Gentamicin – This medication is used to treat pneumonia, respiratory infections, and open wounds. It is applied topically, rather than taken orally, and is often used in the form of a spray called Betagen.
Cefpodoxime Proxetil – This antibiotic, which is available in the form of Simplicef antibiotic tablets, is commonly prescribed to treat bacterial infections resulting from wounds.
Doxycycline – This antibiotic is used to treat Lyme disease and chlamydia.

Summary

Owners must meticulously follow the dosage recommendation and treatment duration the veterinarian prescribes.
If the antibiotic administration is not successful, the treatment should not be discontinued under any circumstances, but a speedy consultation with the doctor should occur.
Even if the dog appears healthy, the prescribed drug must be given until the end.
Antibiotics should never be administered without professional advice.
Interactions with other medications must be clarified in advance.
When weighing the benefits and side effects, owners should trust the veterinarian.
During treatment, the dog may appear tired and listless.
If there is no visible improvement within two days, the veterinarian should be consulted again.
Some antibiotic treatments last up to four weeks.
Opened packages should not be reused.
Antibiotics for humans are taboo for dogs and other pets.

Antibiotics in Dogs – When are they useful- When not?

Published by Doctor Xeeshan on December 31, 2022December 31, 2022