If you’re like most people, you’ve probably used antibiotics to treat certain bacterial infections. As with humans, your dog can benefit from antibiotics as well.

In a nutshell, antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. The good thing is that they do this without affecting the surrounding cells negatively.

Ideally, both living and soil bacteria are used to make antibiotics. However, every antibiotic is unique and works only on certain types of criteria infections. Your vet will prescribe a specific antibiotic to your dog, depending on the type and severity of the infection.

Even so, it is essential to remember that antibiotics are not effective against viruses. While antibiotics to treat secondary infection due to virus infections, this isn't the case anymore as bacteria can develop antibiotic resistance. Read along to learn how antibiotics for dogs works as well as their side effects.

How Bacteria for Dogs Works

As earlier stated, different antibiotics are used to treat different bacterial infections in dogs, with each of them using different methods to kill the bacteria. For instance, Cephalexin in dogs works by preventing bacteria from building a cell wall and thus killing the bacteria.

Others work by interfering with how bacteria build protein, while others kill the bacteria by dissolving their membrane.

Your vet will determine the type of infection before deciding the type of antibiotic right for your dog. Even so, your vet may recommend a broad-spectrum antibiotic while awaiting the culture results. As with many other diseases, the earlier the infection is detected, the easier it will be treated.

Antibiotic Uses in Dogs

As earlier stated, antibiotics are used to treat infections in both humans and animals. Antibiotic in dogs is used to treat common bacterial infections, including skin infections, respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, among others.

Antibiotics for dogs come in various forms, including capsules, tablets, eye drops, injectable solutions, and ointments.

As earlier stated, your vet will prescribe a specific antibiotic based on the type of infection and its severity. For instance, Cephalexin is prescribed for dogs with infection in the urinary tract, bone, joint, skin, and respiratory tract. The main compound available in Cephalexin for dogs is Cephalosporin, which makes Cephalexin effective against various types of bacteria.

What Makes Dogs Resistant to Antibiotics?

You’ve probably heard about antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections in dogs. If not, don’t worry, we’re here to help.

Ideally, antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections refer to those that no longer respond to the common antibiotics. This means that these bacteria are resistant to commonly used antibiotics and thus cannot be killed by them.

As such, these types of infections will continue to grow and develop even after taking antibiotics. To get rid of these infections, toxic and dangerous alternatives may need to be used. In most cases, antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections affect the gastrointestinal tract, skin, urinary tract, or even the respiratory tract.

While these infections can occur naturally, improper use of antibiotics may act as a catalyst. Some bacteria organisms can derive a survival mechanism that allows them to resist antibiotics that have been administered to your dog more frequently. The worst thing is that these resistant genes can be passed to their offspring.

Dogs with skin allergies, Cushing’s disease, diabetes mellitus, and any other condition that requires antibiotics more frequently are more susceptible to resistant bacterial infections.

So, What’s the Remedy for Antibiotic Resistant Bacterial Infections in Dogs?

One of the primary signs of antibiotic-resistant infections in dogs is a failure to respond to conventional antibiotics. However, your vet will do a culture and sensitivity tests to ascertain whether indeed your dog has a resistant infection.

Based on the results obtained from the culture and sensitivity test, an appropriate treatment option will be determined. If the infection is severe, your vet may recommend alternative and risky antibiotic treatments. In less severe problems, supportive care, and treatment of underlying conditions that caused the resistant infection might be appropriate. As a rule of thumb, ensure that your dog completes the antibiotic dosage. This will go a long way in preventing resistant infections in dogs.

While research on probiotics’ ability to treat resistant infections in dogs is ongoing, results from some studies have been promising. Even so, ensure to consult your vet before turning to probiotics to treat antibiotic-resistant infection in dogs.

Possible Antibiotic Side Effects in Dog

Unlike humans, dogs cannot tell what they are feeling after taking antibiotics. What’s more, the side effects vary from one antibiotic to another. For instance, possible side effects of Cephalexin in dogs include diarrhea, vomiting, and skin rashes. Your dog may also have allergic reactions after taking Cephalexin, including swelling, itching, and hives.

Ideally, ensure to ask your vet about the possible side effects of the prescribed antibiotic.