Use antibiotics correctlyYour pet has been diagnosed with a bacterial infection. To treat your pet, your veterinarian has given you a veterinary medicine with an antibiotic as the active ingredient. In this information you will find useful tips about bacterial diseases and the safe and successful use of antibiotics.
What are bacteria?
Bacteria are invisible to the naked eye, about 1/1.000 millimeters small, single-celled creatures. Immediately after the birth of a baby dog or cat, many different bacteria colonize the skin and mucous membranes, for example in the nose, mouth, throat, stomach and intestines. These bacteria are part of the natural microbial colonization of an organism. Together with other defense mechanisms of the body, they perform a protective function against pathogenic germs.
What is an infection?
Infection means contagion. This is the invasion, attachment, and multiplication of a pathogen in a host such as a dog or cat. Infections are possible with many different pathogens. In addition to bacteria, these include viruses, fungi, yeasts and parasites. Pathogens are harmful not only because of their mass reproduction in or on the body. Often they also form toxins that are harmful to the host. Infections can remain confined to a specific tie or organ, or they can spread throughout the body. The symptoms of the infectious disease are correspondingly varied.
Can other animals or humans become infected??
Many infectious diseases, including bacterial ones, are transmissible from pet to pet or even from dam to newborn. Some infections can pass from animals to humans and vice versa. These are called zoonoses. If an infection is suspected, the immediate veterinary examination. Subsequent consistent treatment and hygienic handling extremely important. Thorough hand washing with soap and warm water is the simplest and most appropriate measure to minimize the risk of transmission of infectious agents between animals and humans.
How to recognize a bacterial infection?
Many infections with bacteria cause dullness and fever. You can measure the rectal, i.e. the body temperature measured in the anus yourself, following instructions from your veterinarian. The normal body temperature in dogs and cats is between 38 and 39 °C. Temperatures above 39 °C are suspicious for an infection. Furthermore, depending on the infected organ, the symptoms can be very different. For example, respiratory infections can cause rhinitis and coughing. Infection of the urinary bladder may produce pain during urination.
Possible symptoms of an infectious disease:
– fever – pain – fatigue
Depending on the suspicion, your veterinarian can carry out targeted examinations on your animal. Blood tests such as counting the white blood cells (leukocytes), which are responsible for the animal's defense against infection, tie smears or the examination of body fluids can be useful. In the bacteriological examination the disease-causing bacteria should be detected. Sensitivity testing of bacteria to various antibiotics helps in choosing an appropriate drug and reduces the risk of treatment failure.
How do antibiotics work?
Antibiotics fight bacteria. As a rule, however, they are not effective against fungi, yeasts, viruses and parasites. Antibiotics are antimicrobial agents that are either derived from biological starting materials or produced synthetically in the laboratory. Antibiotics attack the bacteria at the following sites:
bacterial cell wall/membrane
bacterial metabolism
bacterial nucleus/protein synthesis
Not every infection needs to be treated with an antibiotic. Your veterinarian will decide which infections require antibiotic therapy, depending on the findings and diagnosis. As a rule, an appropriate antibiotic should be used immediately and consistently in the following cases:
with deep and severe bacterial infections,
In case of infections that could become severe and chronic,
in case of severe risk to other animals or humans.
FAQ Antibiotics
What is resistance to antibiotics? add
Resistance means that a particular antibiotic is not effective against a particular bacterium. This is detected by bacteriological examination followed by susceptibility testing. When an antibiotic is given, there is selection prere, and only those bacteria that are resistant survive and spread. Resistance in bacteria is caused by changes in the genetic material. Many resistance genes can be passed from one bacterium to other bacteria of the same species or even a different species. The therapy with insufficiently effective antibiotics, an insufficient dose of the antibiotic or a too short administration period favors by the then prevailing slight selection prere not only the spread, but also the emergence of resistant bacteria.
What do I have to consider when using an antibiotic? add
Apply the medicine exactly in the prescribed dose at the prescribed times. A dose that is too low could be ineffective. Fostering resistance. Too high a dose increases the risk of side effects. Do not discontinue therapy prematurely without consulting your veterinarian. Tasty antibiotic veterinary medicines facilitate the administration to your animal. Only the ingested medicine can finally work.
Why is the reference over the veterinary practice advantageous? add
Veterinarians use antibiotics according to the current antibiotic guidelines of the German Veterinary Association e. V. targeted. Carefully apply. targeted and carefully to. Accurately calculate the dose needed to treat your pet and, if possible, give you the amount of antibiotics you need to successfully treat your pet. This not only saves you money, but you also do not have to worry about the disposal of residues.