Antibiotic Resistance: Pets Are Also Affected

Antibiotics are indispensable medications for treating bacterial infectious diseases in humans and animals. However, bacteria can develop resistances to antibiotics, rendering them ineffective. This phenomenon has been known for a long time but has increased significantly in recent decades, leading to growing problems not only in human but also in veterinary medicine. Resistant bacteria lead to treatment failure and thus to a more severe and prolonged course of illness, in the worst case even death.

Pets are also affected by this problem. According to the Swiss Association for Small Animal Medicine (SVK), an increasing number of resistant bacteria are now being detected in various inflammatory diseases (e.g., bladder infections, skin or ear infections) in dogs and cats.

The main cause for the development and spread of resistances is the use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine, especially when it is excessive or improper. It is important to know that resistant bacteria can be transmitted from humans to animals and also from animals to humans.

It is therefore important that dog and cat owners also know and adhere to some basic rules when dealing with antibiotics:

• Antibiotics should be used as rarely as possible
  Not all infections need to be treated with antibiotics. For example, antibiotics are not effective against viral diseases, and not all bacterial diseases require antibiotic therapy.
• Diagnostic clarifications are important
  To determine whether a disease is caused by bacteria, your veterinarian may sometimes need to perform further laboratory tests. This also allows them to identify which bacteria are involved and which antibiotic can best treat them.
• Do not expect your veterinarian to dispense antibiotics to your pet
  If your veterinarian does not prescribe antibiotics for your sick pet, do not demand them. On the contrary: If you are unsure whether the prescribed antibiotics are necessary, do not hesitate to ask your veterinarian if there are other treatment options that could be tried first. For example, it is only rarely indicated to give antibiotics to prevent bacterial infections after surgery or for viral diseases.
• Observe hygiene measures when dealing with your sick pet
  Wear gloves and disinfect your hands before and after treating skin and ear infections.
• Adhere strictly to your veterinarian's instructions
  If your veterinarian prescribes antibiotics for your pet, it is very important that you strictly follow the dosage instructions. If you have difficulty administering the medication or if you think the treatment is not having the desired effect, contact your veterinarian immediately. Never change the dosage yourself. Never stop a therapy prematurely. Never give antibiotics to an animal other than the one for which they were prescribed.

Sources: Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA), Advice to Companion Animal Owners on Responsible Use of Antibiotics and Infection Control (2013) / Swiss Association for Small Animal Medicine (SVK): SVK Position Paper on the Situation of Antibiotic Resistance (2015)