Fighting resistance to antibiotics

Antibiotics are important medications, fighting life-threatening bacterial infections in humans and pets alike, but this Antimicrobial Awareness Week (November 18-24), vet charity PDSA is highlighting the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Inappropriate use of antibiotics greatly increases the risk of resistance developing in bacteria which means some bacteria may have developed immunity against certain treatments. If these medicines stop working, fighting simple infections could become frighteningly difficult.

PDSA Vet Nurse, Nina Downing, said: “Antibiotics are a vital tool for overcoming many infections, but the misuse of them can lead to dangerous implications.

“When certain antibiotics stop treating relatively straight forward illnesses, alternative choices can be extremely limited.

As a pet owner there are simple steps you can take to help ensure they remain an effective method of treatment for yourself and your four-legged family members.”

What is antibiotic resistance?
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria find ways to defeat the medicines they are frequently exposed to.

This can lead to them evolving into dangerous superbugs, like MRSA, which are resistant to many antibiotics – making them difficult, or almost impossible, to treat.

Keep your pet healthy
Healthy pets are better equipped to fight off infections without medical treatment.

Therefore, it helps to make sure your furry family member is eating an appropriate diet, getting enough exercise, and is up to date with all vaccinations.

Listen to your vet
Antibiotics should only be used when needed but, remember, they don’t treat every disease – for example they can’t kill viruses.

Your vet will recommend the best treatment to help your pet feel better again – but this may not always involve antibiotics.

Don’t treat pets yourself
Any medication can be harmful when not used appropriately. Drugs should only be administered to the pet they were prescribed for, and at the time they were intended – never from a previous course.

Offering the wrong medication can make pets very poorly and lead to them needing further urgent medical treatment.

Additionally, never give your pet medication unless it has been prescribed by your vet – it could be dangerous for your furry family member.

Follow the dosage
Your vet will prescribe your pet the correct dosage for their weight, advise how often it should be given, and provide you with enough medication to last the full length of course that they will need.

It is very important that you follow all instructions and don’t stop administering the medication before the course is complete, even if you think your pet seems better.

If they don’t take the full round of medication, the bacteria has a chance to develop resistance and the drugs may no longer be effective for your pet – and potentially other furry friends and humans in the future.”

 

Picture: Pixabay/huoadg5888