Effective Pet Antibiotic Use: A Guide for Pet Owners
When it comes to the combined use of antibiotics, there are relatively few instances where true synergy or antagonism occurs. For example, the combination of Penicillin G and Streptomycin in clinical settings can exhibit a synergistic bactericidal effect against certain bacteria. However, there are cases where combining antibiotics like Chloramphenicol with Penicillin G can lead to antagonistic effects. Therefore, it is unnecessary to add a second antibiotic if one is already effectively controlling the infection. The practice of some veterinarians in certain pet hospitals, who prescribe three to four antibiotics at once on a single prescription, can only be attributed to the desire for increased profits or a lack of understanding of antibiotic usage.
As medical research advances, the variety of antibiotics has expanded, broadening their spectrum of activity and making the control of bacterial diseases more manageable. However, the phenomenon of antibiotic misuse has also become more prevalent, which increases the likelihood of bacteria developing resistance. This can lead to severe complications, such as dysbiosis of the gut microbiota, resulting in severe diarrhea, with multiple stools per day that resemble seaweed and are dark green or contain blood.
Therefore, when using antibiotics, it is crucial to make strict and targeted selections. This should be guided by the principles of narrowspectrum antibiotics, as well as bacterial culture and sensitivity tests.
To combat antibiotic resistance in clinical settings, the following precautions should be taken:
1. Increase the dosage appropriately, typically by adding onethird to the basic dosage, while strictly adhering to the principles of medication. This ensures that the required treatment duration is met.
2. Be selective in changing the antibiotics used, avoiding the prolonged use of the same antibiotic to prevent the development of resistance and to enhance therapeutic efficacy.
