Antibiotics are commonly used by many pet owners to treat pets that are suffering from infections, even without consulting a veterinarian. However, before you offer that antibiotic to your ailing pet, here are some important things that veterinarians wish pet owners to know:

• Antibiotics are meant to treat bacterial infections, thus they won’t work for infections that are caused by viruses or fungi. These infections won’t respond to antibiotics. Administering antibiotics to these types of infections will only expose a wider range of bacteria to these medications, which can increase the chances for the development of resistant strains of bacteria.
• Considering the issues involved in the use of antibiotics, many veterinarians chose to conduct culture and sensitivity testing before treating most bacterial infections.
• The use of antibiotics is not without their risks. Antibiotic administration is not without the side effects ranging from mild digestive upsets to deadly diseases.
• Antibiotics should be used as directed by the veterinarian. Give the exact dosage and don’t skip doses. Pet owners should use the entire course of prescribed antibiotics.

Any symptoms of illness exhibited by your pet dog should be brought to the attention of your Frisco, TX veterinarian for proper diagnosis and treatment.