My dog needs antibiotics. What should I know before seeing a vet?

Many different antibiotics are used for both humans and dogs, the only difference is the dose given. Antibiotics should not be given without the advice of your veterinarian. Inappropriate antibiotic use can lead to resistant bacteria and may complicate any underlying condition which could delay diagnosis.

Questions about why your vet choses a particular medication is always welcomed at my practice. I believe that the more informed a pet owner is, the better advocate they can be when it comes to determing the best course of treatment for their pet. If your vet isn't communicating their reasons for choosing certain treatments, then please do continue to ask questions. Take care and best of luck moving forward with Mia.

Antibiotics are a life saving treatment in many cases but should only be used where necessary and under direction from a vet. All medications and treatments carry some risk of side effects and overuse, prolonged use and high doses can be dangerous both for the individual patient and for antibiotic resistance in bacteria which can cause untreatable infections where antibiotics no longer work. If a patient is suffering from a severe bacterial infection then they should receive an appropriate antibiotic at the correct dosage for the prescribed amount of time only

Hello. It is unfortunately impossible for us to recommend using human medication without knowing there is a real problem with your pet. At best, you may be giving an unnecessary medication & at worse, you may be treating inappropriately & causing a simple infection to become much worse. It is best to consult with your vet who knows your pet better & see if this antibiotic is appropriate based on her symptoms. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Antibiotics are used very commonly to treat infections and infectious diseases in dogs, just like in people. There should be no problem with using them when they are needed, even if she has needed antibiotics before multiple times in the past - most antibiotics are very safe and pose little risk, even with long-term use.

I'm very sorry you are dealing with this. At this point, you should discuss quality of life issues with your veterinarian. Friday may be able to get an antibiotic injection that, hopefully, would not cause stomach upset. If your veterinarian is unavailable due to the holiday, consider a visit to the local veterinary ER. After an exam, the vet on staff could recommend a different antibiotic or an injection.

The amount of antibiotic he ingested is higher than typically used so he may experience some gastrointestinal issues but it should not be toxic. You could give him a probiotic for a few days (Proviable or Fortiflora) and monitor for any abnormal signs. If you notice anything abnormal then he should be examined by a vet for treatment.