Do antibiotics shorten my pet's life or cause serious side effects?

No, taking antibiotics, even a lot of them, does not decrease the life span of your dog. Unfortunately German Shepherds are a breed that has a lot of medical and congenital problems. The fact that he keeps having infections points to a problem with his immune system, ie , that it is not working very well. You may want to discuss with your vet whether Bruno's immune system could be boosted and how. This is different in every animal and depends on the individual condition, therefore it is best to discuss this with the veterinarian who knows him best.

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.

This would depend on the type of antibiotic being treated. Do not medicate your pet without the advice of your veterinarian. Inappropriate antibiotic use can lead to resistant bacteria and may complicate any underlying condition.

Hi, German Sheperd are frequently getting antibiotics during the course of their life. If given judiciously antibiotics are unlikely to cause problems to their kidneys. With regards to the question about some dogs being able to live without any antibiotics in the world, yes I believe there are quite a few ! Hope Bruno is well and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach !

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.

Antibiotics are usually indicated if there is obvious signs of a skin infection, GI infection (if pet has loose stool and parasites are not the cause), upper airway infection, or a UTI. I am not sure of any vets that I know personally who would just give antibiotics if there isn't just cause. Bloodwork is not always needed to justify the use of antibiotics, unless we are suspicious of bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream). Besides bloodwork, there are some specialized tests available, which are usually cultures, however they are often not cost effective for most clients to afford, ranging anywhere from $100-$300. In those cases, we treat based on symptoms and the history of the pet, as we narrow down the possibilities of an infection vs something else. Also not to mention that some of these specialized tests (i.e. cultures) have an incubation period of anywhere from 7-14 days before results are available. If we don't treat for what we highly suspect, the pet will end up just getting sicker while awaiting results, if the owner can afford the test to begin with. The same thing is done in human medicine. If the doctor highly suspects an infection based on the physical exam and vitals, then antibiotics will be prescribed. On another note, we have to make sure we do our part and ask all the right questions about the pets history and rule out other causes before issuing antibiotics, so that we used them judiciously and not increase the risk of creating superbugs in the environment. I hope that this helps answer your question. It is a valid one and I am glad that you brought up the subject. Take care now.

Aside from monitoring your cat for inappetance, vomiting and diarrhea as possible side effects from antibiotic treatment, there isn't anything else that you should be doing. Probiotics can be useful to maintain normal GI bacterial flora, but be sure to time the administration between doses of antibiotics or they will be ineffective. Many infections require a long course of antibiotics for resolution, so don't worry about the length of the treatment course. Continue monitoring your cat for inappetance and increased drinking and urination due to the elevated creatinine level.