Medication10 connections · 4 sources
Antibiotics
Antibiotics are medications used to treat bacterial infections in pets. They are commonly prescribed for wound infections, dental disease, ear infections, and systemic infections.
Key Facts
- Common veterinary antibiotics: Clavamox, clindamycin, metronidazole, doxycycline, azithromycin
- Cefovecin (Convenia): long-acting injectable; one shot lasts 2 weeks (avoids oral dosing)
- Complete the full course as prescribed; stopping early leads to recurrence
- Bite wounds commonly require antibiotics due to heavy bacterial contamination
- Periodontal antibiotics target anaerobic bacteria in dental plaque
- Ear infection antibiotics may need culture-guided selection for resistant organisms
- Middle ear infections require 6-8 weeks of oral antibiotics
- Never give human antibiotics without veterinary guidance
- Species: dogs and cats
Connections (10)
Related Conditions
AbscessCondition
Required to clear infection but alone are insufficient for tooth root abscesses
Bacterial InfectionCondition
Bacterial infections are the primary indication for antibiotic therapy.
GingivostomatitisCondition
Antibiotics manage secondary infections
Otitis ExternaCondition
Topical and oral antibiotics for ear infections
Periodontal DiseaseCondition
Used for dental infections alongside cleaning
PyometraCondition
Given at time of surgery and sometimes post-operatively
Viral InfectionCondition
Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections and should not be used to treat them.