Chances are, you have heard of antibiotics. And in this day and age, you may have heard of a phenomenon called antibiotic resistance. Then there are things called prebiotics and probiotics. What are all of these, and what are they used for? Antibiotics are medications that work against bacteria/bacterial infections. They work by killing bacteria or stopping the bacteria’s ability to reproduce. They do not work against parasites, fungal infections, viral infections, or autoimmune diseases in most cases. The type of antibiotic, the frequency and dose, and the length of treatment are all determined by the type and location of infection, the pet’s overall health, and any other medical conditions that may be present. An important aspect of using antibiotics is to try to prevent antibiotic resistance. Resistance is when a particular bacteria develops a way to not be killed off by a particular antibiotic. It is important to finish the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed, because if you stop early, you may have only killed 90% of the bacteria present, and the remaining 10% may have been better able to resist the antibiotic. This can lead to the same infection no longer responding to the same antibiotic in the future, which can mean we no longer have a way to treat […]
Providing the best possible veterinary care for your pet.
Heritage Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinarian clinic that provides examinations, diagnostic services, dental care, surgical services, medicine, grooming and boarding services in Maple Grove, Minnesota. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of pet care possible and facilitating an environment where client communication and education are at the forefront of our practice.
