Pet Lovers

Antibiotics are among the most important parts of both veterinary and human medicine today, and yet many people still ask themselves, "What are antibiotics?" These medicines, which are available for your use with your pet as a prescription only, are still among the least known drugs that are commonly available. Read on for a brief overview of what antibiotics are, why they're so important and how they can help to treat many of your dog's conditions.

What Are Antibiotics?

Antibiotics are drugs that are designed to kill different bacteria. The two main causes of disease in pets and humans alike are bacteria and viruses. Bacteria are small, microscopic organisms that can grow and multiply inside of a body or a system under certain conditions. Because of these organisms growing, the result is often an infection. Without proper treatment, the infection itself can spread and cause damage to your pet's body and may even result in death. A virus, on the other hand, is not caused by living creatures, per se. Viruses alter the DNA of cells in order to exist within your pet's body. They cannot be treated in the same way as bacteria.

Antibiotics are drugs that target bacteria only; they are of no use against viruses. However, there are a great number of different conditions that result as a direct impact of bacteria in your pet's system. The most serious of these are infections.

Functions of Antibiotics

There are two primary ways that antibiotics function. The first is as a bacteriacidal. This is a compound or chemical that kills off all bacteria, completely eliminating the population of offending bacteria. The second is as a bacteriastatic. This type of antibiotic disables the bacteria's reproductive mechanism, making it so that the bacteria cannot reproduce and perpetuate themselves. Either way, the bacteria will eventually die off and the infection will end.

Other Considerations

While antibacterials and antibiotics are important drugs and provide amazing benefits for pets that are suffering from bacterial infections or other conditions that result from bacteria, like meningitis, there are a few side effects and other concerns to be aware of. First of all, there are many helpful bacteria in your pet's body as well as harmful ones. Your pet's digestive tract relies upon bacteria that help to break down certain components of the food that he isn't able to digest properly on his own.

There are also many other systems in your pet's body that make use of helpful bacteria. Unfortunately, an antibacterial or an antibiotic cannot discriminate in most cases between good and bad kinds of bacteria. Therefore, when your pet takes an antibiotic, the helpful bacteria is also eliminated. This can result in digestive problems and many other side effects. It also means that you should not give your pet antibacterials for an extended period of time, as this can permanently disrupt his body systems.

If you have any other questions about bacteria in your pet's body, which types of conditions there are that can be treated with antibiotics and how to best administer antibiotics to your pet, speak with your veterinarian.

also see Rimadyl Side Effects in Dogs

also see Imodium for Dogs

also see Managing Epilepsy in Dogs with Primidone

also see Canine Mast Cell Tumor Treatment with Toceranib

also see Treating a Dog With a Swollen Leg

also see Mange Treatment With Ivermectin for Dogs

also see Veterinary Medicine: A Dog Owner's Introduction

also see Understanding Polycystic Kidney Disease in Dogs

Like humans, dogs too can be subject to sinus congestion. This condition may be mild or moderately severe and can result in a number of different symptoms that influence your pet's life. While sinus congestion is rarely, if ever, life threatening, it is nonetheless a difficult cross for your pet to bear and can make his life uncomfortable. In order to treat the sinus congestion that your pet experiences, you'll first need to be able to identify the congestion itself. A veterinarian can help you to determine whether the following symptoms are due to sinus congestion or to something else that may be more serious:

• Nasal discharge
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Swollen, reddened eyes

Once you have determined that your pet suffers from sinus congestion, use some of the following methods to treat his condition, depending upon the cause.

Antibiotics

If your pet is suffering from an infection that is in his sinuses, he may experience many of the same symptoms of sinus congestion as are listed above. The reason that it's important to treat a bacterial infection promptly is that it can otherwise spread to other parts of your dog's body, which can result in a number of very dangerous and potentially harmful effects. A good antibiotic treatment will deal with the problem over the span of a few days.

Anti Fungus Medicines

Sometimes, sinus congestion can be due to fungus problems in your pet's breathing system. This is particularly true if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors and may have explored an area that he shouldn't have. The fungal spores thrive in the warm, moist environment of your pet's respiratory tract, and they can multiply and create numerous problems for his breathing. If your veterinarian diagnoses the condition as one related to fungus, you can typically remedy the problem with a good anti fungal medicine that you apply to your pet's nose or mouth.

Allergen Elimination and Air Purifiers

Another very common cause of sinus congestion in dogs is an allergic reaction. Allergic reactions are very common in dogs as well as humans, ,and the reaction that your dog experiences can oftentimes result in clogged nasal passageways and other sinus problems. This is particularly true if your pet suffers from an atopic reaction (one resulting form an offending allergen that is present in the air). In order to treat this, you and your vet will first have to determine what the cause of your pet's reaction is. You can then work to avoid that allergen in your dog's life. Methods to do so include using hypoallergenic materials in the home, limiting your pet's time outside, removing certain chemicals and products from your living area, and purchasing an air purifier to use in your dog's space.

There is no single treatment that will work for every condition that your pet suffers from in this case. Therefore, you'll need to speak with your vet to determine the best course of action.

also see Dog Sinus Infection Symptoms

also see Treating Dog Breathing Problems

also see Diagnosing a Nasal Discharge in Dogs

also see 10 Dog Illness Symptoms that Require Emergency Care

also see Administering First Aid for Dogs in Shock

also see Caring For Your Dog With a Collapsing Trachea

also see Stop Your Dog From Snoring

also see Is Your Dog Panting? 3 Cool Down Tips

It is likely that you'll witness your pet dog vomit several times throughout his life, as such an act is relatively common; severe vomiting, on the other hand, is usually a sign that there is something the matter. The first thing that you'll need to be able to do is to distinguish between a case of severe vomiting and one in which your pet is simply responding to a food that he ate immediately prior. Read on for a list of symptoms of severe vomiting and a few ideas of what these issues could be tied to in terms of health conditions.

Symptoms of Severe Vomiting

Severe vomiting is not regularly defined in any set way by veterinarian's, but it typically includes one or more of the following characteristics which help to distinguish it from standard vomiting:

• Repeated episodes in a brief span of time (three or more)
• Regular vomiting for several days or more
• Blood, mucous or other abnormal fluids in the vomit
• Vomiting accompanied by hacking, coughing, wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Loss of weight and appetite

If your dog vomits regularly, or if his vomiting seems to be particularly forced or painful, or if there are any unusual fluids in the vomit itself, these are all potential warning signs that there's something seriously the matter. Take them to heart and respond quickly.

What to Do When Your Dog Vomits

Your initial response to when your dog vomits should be to get him to a safe and comfortable place. Make sure that he does not have the opportunity to eat anything else for the time being, and work to relax him and to get him to lie down. After cleaning up the vomit, you'll then need to evaluate your options. If the vomiting is severe and has been present before, make a note of all of the symptoms as listed above and call a veterinarian immediately. You can also take your pet to a vet right away in order to have an examination. If it's the first instance of vomiting, make a note of the situation and consider waiting to see if it was an acute, one time event.

Potential Causes of Severe Vomiting

Unfortunately for your diagnosis, vomiting is one of the most common responses for a dog's body to have whenever any system is in jeopardy. The most common cause of vomiting is indigestion or something that your pet ate that didn't sit well with his system.

However, severe vomiting can be a sign of many different things, including:

• cancers
• intestinal conditions
• food allergies
• parasites

Therefore, it's always important for you to take note of any other symptoms that your dog may be displaying when you take him to the veterinarian for an examination.

Speak with a vet for additional information about how to diagnose and to treat your pet's severe vomiting. Prompt action is necessary to be sure that your dog gets all of the help he needs.

also see Diagnosing Autoimmune Disease in Dogs

also see Bacterial Infections in Dogs

also see Tick Borne Illness in Dogs

also see Can I Get Lyme Disease From My Dog?

also see The 3 Most Common Male Dog Diseases

also see Side Effects of Penicillin for Dogs

also see What Does Yellow Dog Vomit Mean?

also see Dog Euthanasia: Making the Difficult Decision

There are a number of common pet problems facing owners, in terms of both health and behavior.

1. Inappropriate Elimination

One of the most common behavior problems facing owners is inappropriate elimination. This includes cats who don't use their litter box properly, and dogs who are not potty trained.

This can be caused by many different factors. If it appears suddenly, it may be caused by an illness, such as a urinary tract infection or incontinence in older dogs. The most common reason dogs are not potty trained is because they simply aren't taught properly. For cats, it can be caused by fear, such as a loud noise when in the litter box or a case of painful diarrhea that the cat attributes to the litter box. Just changing the location or the smell of the litter can often get your cat back to normal.

2. Destructive Behavior

Both cats and dogs can engage in a variety of destructive behavior, including tearing up or chewing on furniture and digging. This is usually caused by boredom, though it can also be caused by fear or separation anxiety.

It's important to provide your animal, even cats, with enough physical and mental stimulation. Even if you can't be home all the time, leave your pets with interactive toys and treats, so they have something to destroy besides your house or yard.

3. Aggression

Both cats and dogs can suffer from many types of aggression that often results in rehoming or euthanasia. This can be exhibited toward people in the house, visitors, another pet, other animals outside the home or strangers and may come in the form of growling, hissing, biting or scratching.

Aggression can be very frightening, but it is usually caused by fear. This can be avoided by socialization of young cats and dogs as well as creating positive associations with people or animals that your pet fears.

4. Allergies

Cats and dogs can both develop allergies, and it can be excruciating to watch your pet suffer through them. Allergies usually manifest through excessive itching or chewing, rashes, dry or scaly skin and hives. These allergies can be caused by the environment, food or fleas. Since symptoms are similar from all three of these, diagnosis is often made through elimination. Putting your dog on flea medication and switching food can often reduce symptoms.

5. Diarrhea

Diarrhea is one of the most common health problems facing pets. It can be caused by many things, including various illnesses, ulcers, upset stomach, stress and diet changes. Most diarrhea is no cause for concern and will go away in a few days. However, if the diarrhea includes parasites, blood or mucous, consult your veterinarian because it could be caused by a more serious illness.

6. Airborne Illnesses

These differ between pets, but most can be prevented by vaccinations. If your pet visits pet-friendly places, such as dog parks, boarding facilities or groomers, be sure he is up to date on required vaccinations.

also see What Is the Best Antihistamine for Dogs?

also see Using Pet Behavior and Training Services

also see Antihistamines for Dogs

also see Identifying Food Allergies in Cats with Food Trials

also see An Introduction to Alpha Dog Training

also see Treatment Options for Dog Diarrhea

also see Understanding Canine Food Allergies and Intolerance

also see Older Dog Health Concerns and Treatments