Understanding the Concerns: Antibiotics for Dogs
What You Should Know About Using Antibiotics For Your Dog
Yes, there are absolutely times we need antibiotics, Some infections are so severe, antibiotics may be the thing between life and death. But in most common cases — natural alternatives will be highly effective, without major side effects.
We’ve been conditioned over the years to use antibiotics often for all sorts of things. If you watch any of the TV veterinary shows, start to pay attention to just how often they are prescribed — and how often they are paired with steroids. This is a frequent combo used even at times they aren’t sure what the diagnosis is. Too often it is a “let’s see what happens” approach.
Alternative Antibiotics for Dogs
When we don’t know exactly what’s wrong — this approach may be even more problematic. Antibiotics work only on bacteria. They do not affect viral infections at all. Make sure before you give your dog antibiotics your dog has been tested for a bacterial infection.
All antibiotics are not created equally. Many times infections can be cleared using antibiotics with a narrow scope of treatment, rather than starting with the more broad spectrum that should be reserved for resistant infections. For instance, many bacterial infections may respond to amoxicillin, but veterinarians immediately reach for a second-generation cephalosporin or fluoroquinolone antibiotic.
It’s Ok to question your vet! But don’t be the one pressuring your vet for antibiotics when they aren’t needed.
Your dog’s microbiome does not differentiate killing off bad bacteria vs good bacteria. Antibiotics kill off all bacteria, leaving the gut in dysbiosis (a lack of diversity), which can cause many health issues for your dog.
If you must use antibiotics, pair it with a good probiotic and continue probiotic use well beyond the completion of your prescription. Probiotics help to restore good bacteria that have been killed off. Just remember to give the antibiotic and probiotic separately. Always best that the probiotic is given apart from food so that the stomach acid is not as high, allowing the good bacteria to make its way successfully to the digestive system to do their best work.
Possible Side Effects of Antibiotics For Dogs
gut health and microbiome imbalances
microbiome and gut health issues often lead to behavioral issues.
kidney failure
allergies
vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, lethargy
development of antibiotic resistance, increase of superbugs
allergic reaction, anaphylaxis
Seizures
yeast infections
negative impact to the metabolism of enzymes, vitamins & minerals.
Read Every Label of Every Product You Use.
Alternatives To Antibiotics for Dogs
Ok, Dana — we get it. What do you suggest instead?
I am glad you asked. Essential oils are my go-to for everything from scrapes and scratches, surgical site healing, classic UTI, ears, and almost everything else. One of the powerhouse oils in this category is Thyme. I also like to use an essential oil Immunity Blend containing Clove, Lemon, Cinnamon Bark, Eucalyptus radiata, and Rosemary. I might add a bit of Oregano to the mix as well.
The good news is I can often choose essential oils that hold both antiviral and antibacterial properties for those times we aren’t sure what may be going on. This is also a great time to consider Raindrop Technique
We can also look to homeopathy and herbs as options. Essential oils can sometime be effective if your dog isn’t eating well, because we can use them topically or sublingually.
Give me call and let’s talk.
Play it Safe:
don’t give antibiotics to your dog without a specific prescription, even if you have some leftover from a previous issue or for a previous animal.