Do frequent antibiotics harm my dog's lifespan or organs? What to do?

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 !

No German Shephards are not particularly prone to kidney disease. Your pet was never on an antibiotic according to this record. The Cetrizine is an anti-histamine, basically over the counter Zyrtec. The prednisolone is a steroid that usually affects the liver over time and can cause UTI's if used daily for more than 3-4 weeks at a time, not particularly kidney problems. The anti-fungal medication (Terbinafine) can affect the kidney but typically over if it is used over a very long period of time, such as weeks to months consecutively. So I would say that with the information you have provided, the risk of damage to Bruno's kidneys is pretty low to non-existent. I hope this helps! Best wishes and take care.

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

I am so sorry for the recent loss of your beloved pet. It is so difficult losing a pet that you clearly loved very dearly. With regard to Danny, without knowing his weight or seeing the wound it is difficult to say if this is the best antibiotic for him or if the dose is appropriate. The veterinarian who prescribed the medications will be better able to advise you in that regard. German Shepherd Dogs typically live for between 10 and 12 years, barring any severe health issues. But antibiotic therapy such as the one you are giving Danny now, will not extend his life span. Keeping your dog up to date on his vaccinations and taking him to the veterinarian every 6 to 12 months for wellness visits are the best way to ensure that Danny lives a full and healthy life.

Hi. I believe this question was answered yesterday, but maybe not. The antibiotics will not cause kidney or liver damage. Some chronic allergy and skin cases do need off and on antibiotics. Allergies can be very difficult and sometimes never be 100%. We try, but don't always get there. If you are getting frustrated then a veterinary dermatology referral would be indicated

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.

Cephalexin should always be given every 12 hrs due to the half-life of the medication, and sometimes even every 6-8 hrs depending on the severity of the infection. There can be a build up of resistance to frequent use of antibiotics, so I would try to have a more in depth conversation with your vet about long term treatment options that can keep Bruno's skin barrier at optimal levels, such as daily fish oils, prescription diets, and medicated shampoo's. Bruno getting Cephalexin at the frequency that he has been getting it should no affect his liver in a negative way or reduce his lifespan, the main concern here is resistance to the antibiotics over time. Best of luck with your furry friend Bruno moving forward and managing his apparent skin allergies and skin infections. Take care!