Antibiotic Therapy
Medications that kill bacteria. Each antibiotic targets specific bacterial types through different mechanisms (cell wall disruption, membrane dissolution, protein/DNA interference). Useless against viruses. Antibiotic resistance is a growing concern.
Key Facts
- Only effective against bacterial infections — NOT viruses
- Selection depends on infection type and severity; culture and sensitivity testing is ideal
- Always complete the full prescription — stopping early breeds resistant bacteria
- Common side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea (killing friendly gut bacteria)
- Antibiotic resistance: surviving bacteria reproduce, creating resistant strains
- MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is increasingly common in pets
- Probiotics may help maintain gut health during antibiotic treatment
- Convenia (cefovecin): injectable antibiotic lasting 2 weeks — good for cats
- Doxycycline: first-line for tick-borne diseases, Bartonella
- Never double doses to make up for missed ones
- Preventive antibiotic use is no longer favored due to resistance concerns
Connections (16)
Related Conditions
— antibiotics for symptomatic cats and immune-compromised households
— antibiotics essential for abscess treatment
Antibiotic administration disrupts protective gut flora, creating an ecological opportunity for C. difficile overgrowth.
Long-term antibiotics required
— antibiotics prevent secondary bacterial invasion
— secondary bacterial infections may need antibiotics
— antifungals (not antibiotics) are the treatment
— treatment approach
— cornerstone of treatment
— treatment approach
— antifungals (not antibiotics) used for treatment
— doxycycline is primary treatment
— treatment for symptomatic cases
Based on culture and sensitivity results