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Just give me some antibiotics and everything will be fine...

by Kathryn Primm DVM on 11/15/12

In my time as a veterinarian, I have seen a change come about in the way we, as professionals, practice medicine. We have all gotten an increased awareness of antibiotic resistance and the importance of judicious use of medications. I have had my share of clients get frustrated with me because I would not simply prescribe an antibiotic for their pet. The belief has been that antibiotics are a cure-all. Antibiotics are a specific class of drugs intended to target bacterial infection only. They have no activity against viruses or infectious agents other than bacteria. Bacteria are still out there and we do have cases that severely need antibiotics, but if your veterinarian chooses not to prescribe one or calls for specific testing to see which one would be best, please be patient and understand that he or she is not only looking out for your pet, but also for you (and for all of us).
As more bacteria are exposed to different types of antibiotics, the more opportunities they have to develop resistance. Resistant strains can impact public health. The days are passed where it is alright to just send a pack of penicillin out the door with every sick pet. Trust in your veterinarian because she might hold the health of everyone in her hands.

Comments (2)

1. Tomcat said on 11/15/12 - 08:27AM

Nicely stated...it's important for all people (pet owners included)to understand that antibiotics are not some great panacea...there are some risks to their use and they should be used only with medical supervision.

2. Joelle M said on 1/24/13 - 09:08PM

When Azara had an ingrown claw a couple of months ago, I certainly appreciated that after kindly clipping her little claws, your staff did not slam her with a bunch of antibiotics for the tiny wound on her poor pawpad. (From what I had learned from people's anecdotal experiences shared online, I had expected antibiotics for it no matter the size of the puncture.) Your staff had me put disinfectant on the wound topically and that worked just fine! Family members in the medical field talk about the growing problem of antibiotic resistance and I wondered if it is also a problem in veterinary medicine. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!

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1.	Tomcat said on 11/15/12 - 08:27AM
	Nicely stated...it's important for all people (pet owners included)to understand that antibiotics are not some great panacea...there are some risks to their use and they should be used only with medical supervision.
2.	Joelle M said on 1/24/13 - 09:08PM
	When Azara had an ingrown claw a couple of months ago, I certainly appreciated that after kindly clipping her little claws, your staff did not slam her with a bunch of antibiotics for the tiny wound on her poor pawpad. (From what I had learned from people's anecdotal experiences shared online, I had expected antibiotics for it no matter the size of the puncture.) Your staff had me put disinfectant on the wound topically and that worked just fine! Family members in the medical field talk about the growing problem of antibiotic resistance and I wondered if it is also a problem in veterinary medicine. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!