Resistance to drugs

[victoria1140]

Hi Beau is nearly over his kennel cough now and 1 more week of quarantine to go :kgo_027::beer::kgo_027:
the vet says that he has a high resistance to the antibiotics given him . Has anyone else had this problem?

I know he was given antibiotics with his stomach problem but apparently with the kennel cough he was given very large doses with his second course and again with his third course. Is it just that newfies are very resistant to the drugs or did he just have a really nasty case of the cough.

 

[Charlie'sMom]

Resistance to anti-biotics has to do with the organism involed, the previous doses of anti-biotics have caused the bacteria to know whats is coming, and they evolve to be able to fight bacik to that type of anti-biotics, which will cause them to require stronger types and longer treatments. This is the same problem happening in humans which is cauring so called "super-bugs"

 

[cedarvalleynewfoundlands]

Hi

It sounds like what is going on is that the antibiotics they are giving arent affective against the organism causing the kennel cough. One very good possibility is that Beau's kennel cough is actually a viral infections, and not a bacterial infection. If that's the case, no antibiotic is going to work, you can only treat symptoms, and the virus will have to run its course. As posted by Jen, the resistance has to do with the resistance of the organism to the antibiotic, not Beau himself. If Beau actually has a bacterial infection and is on his 3rd course of treatment with no improvement, then culture and sensitivity testing is probably in order to identify the bacteria causing it and determine the best antibiotic to treat it.

Mary

 

[Windancer]

There are many many types of Kennel cough...caused by different 'bugs'...the problem is identifying what is causing the 'cough'...all called by the same name for some reason I have never understood...

 

[cedarvalleynewfoundlands]

Hi

Kennel cough is the canine version of the human common cold or flu. Like Julie said, it can be caused by many many different organisms. The one that is protected againt with the kennel cough vaccines is Bordatella, but there are many other organisms that can cause it also. It's very similar to the human flu in that if the vaccine is for the "wrong" organism, the vaccine has very little or no effect protecting agaisnt the illness.

Mary

 

[ardeagold]

It could be a virus. I tend not to give antibiotics unless it's bacterial, and/or the dog is running a fever and I want to prevent it from becoming pneumonia.

 

[R Taft]

most kennel coughs are viral and antibiotics will not help..............But having said that........Antibiotics are given for the seconday bacterial infections which have occured or could happen. the reason we get all these Super bugs is because we as a people overuse the antibiotics. And if you read many of the vet and medical periodicials, they often state veterinary use as being a little lax. Especially in the pig and cattle industry. Which flows on to us humans and pets. It is also important to try and find out which bug/bacteria you or your pet has. Hence a culture is grown. This then gives the sensitivities and so the correct antibiotic is given for the particular bacteria. There are exceptions.............If meningial cocci or other deadly infections are suspected you hit full on with the antibiotic for this ,before culture because there is no time. It is also important to give the whole complete course of antibiotics. Don't stop because person/pet is feeling better. that again can lead to issues with resistance. Antibiotics are overused in flu's and coughs and it is part of the reason why so many have built up resistance.
If a antibiotic is not working on a person/pet, it means the bacteria is resistant or the antibiotic is not the correct one for the bacteria. Or it is viral and has to run it's course. It does not mean the person/pet has resistance
Sorry this is a bit long winded..............

 

[victoria1140]

no don't mind the answers being long as at least it gives other people the answers they needed. Hopefully if I can get his immune system back on track we won't have to be a frequent visitor at the vets all the time.

 

[ardeagold]

Give probiotics during and for a couple of weeks after giving antibiotics.

Make sure you give them 2-3 hours apart from the antibiotics or they'll cancel out the antibiotics.

The probiotics help the digestive system maintain the "good" bacteria it needs when the antibiotics wipe everything out.

I use the non-dairy capsules found in the refrigerated section of the Health Store. Some people use yogurt, but you'd need to use the "active" (new) types with lots of beneficial bacteria. Plain ole Dannon doesn't have enough (but it does have enough to use on a daily basis - a couple of tablespoons - to keep things balanced a bit). AND never use the sugar-free type (of anything) .... they often contail Xylitol or some artificial sweetener which is poisonous to dogs.

Hope he's doing better!