Healthy Cats

Antibiotics for Cats

Why Antibiotics Fail continued...

Antibiotics can destroy the normal flora in the body that crowds out pathogens. This allows harmful bacteria to multiply and cause disease. Furthermore, strains of bacteria may develop that are resistant to antibiotics and thus cannot be effectively controlled. This is particularly likely to occur when antibiotics are used

• For too short a time
• In too low a dosage
• When the antibiotic is not bactericidal

Microorganisms that are resistant to one antibiotic are usually resistant to other antibiotics of the same class. The development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is one of the main reasons why antibiotics should be used exactly as prescribed and only in situations in which they will clearly benefit the cat. Antimicrobial resistance is becoming a serious health problem for both pets and people.

Antibiotics should only be used when necessary and always used appropriately. Most upper respiratory infections in cats are caused by viruses that are not affected by antibiotics. Also, most bladder problems in cats are not accompanied by bacterial infections and will not benefit from treatment with antibiotics.