💊 Vet’s 2025 Guide to When Your Pet Really Needs Antibiotics—And When They Don’t 🐶🐱

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Antibiotics are powerful tools in veterinary medicine. They’ve saved countless lives by fighting bacterial infections—but they must be used correctly. 🧬 Used inappropriately, antibiotics can do more harm than good by promoting drug-resistant bacteria—a growing threat to pets and people alike. 🦠

This guide will help you understand when antibiotics are appropriate, when they’re not, and how to protect your pet from antibiotic resistance. 🧠🐾

🔬 What Are Antibiotics—and What Do They Treat?

Antibiotics kill or stop the growth of bacteria. They do NOT work on viruses. It’s a crucial distinction, because many illnesses in pets may look similar on the surface—but require very different treatments. 🧪

Examples of bacterial infections in pets:

• 🦠 Urinary tract infections
• 🦷 Dental infections (gingivitis, stomatitis)
• 🐾 Skin infections (pyoderma, deep wounds)
• 🦴 Bone or joint infections (e.g. after injury)
• 🧫 Ear infections (often bacterial + yeast)
• 🫁 Pneumonia

Examples of viral illnesses in pets:

• 🤧 Kennel cough (early stages)
• 🐕 Parvovirus
• 🐱 Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)
• 😿 Feline herpesvirus or calicivirus (eye/nose issues)
• 🧠 Distemper
• 😷 Rabies

Antibiotics don’t help against viruses—and using them unnecessarily can cause long-term damage. 🚫

🦠 Why Antibiotic Resistance Matters

Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve and become immune to the effects of drugs that used to kill them. This makes future infections harder—or impossible—to treat. 🔄

Common resistant bacteria in pets include:

• MRSA/MRSP: Methicillin-resistant staph infections
• E. coli: Frequently seen in recurrent urinary tract infections

These strains often don’t respond to multiple antibiotics and may require hospitalization, intensive care, or even euthanasia in severe cases. 😞

🩺 When Antibiotics Are Appropriate

• 🧫 Confirmed bacterial infections (via culture, cytology, or consistent clinical signs)
• 🩹 Wounds that are infected or not healing
• 🧬 Post-operative infections
• 💉 Secondary infections after viral illness (e.g. pneumonia following distemper)
• 🦠 Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, Ehrlichia, bartonellosis

🚫 When Antibiotics Should Be Avoided

• 🦠 Viral infections (kennel cough, parvo, FIV, influenza)
• 🧪 Asymptomatic bacteriuria (bacteria in the bladder but no symptoms)
• 🧼 Mild skin infections that respond to topical treatments
• 👂 Ear infections treatable with cleaning and topical meds
• 🦷 Gingivitis that improves with dental cleaning alone

Important: Let mild viral infections run their course with supportive care. Don’t pressure your vet for antibiotics when they’re not needed. 🧠

🧫 Culture and Sensitivity: What It Means

A culture involves taking a sample (from urine, wound, skin, etc.) and growing bacteria in a lab. The test then identifies which antibiotic is most effective. 🔬

• ✅ Helps target treatment
• ⚖️ Avoids unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotics
• 🧪 Prevents trial-and-error use

💊 Dangers of Overusing Antibiotics

1. Killing Healthy Gut Bacteria

Not all bacteria are bad! Friendly bacteria in your pet’s gut support digestion, immunity, and protect against infection. Broad-spectrum antibiotics can wipe these out. 🦠➡️😟

2. Resistance Development

The more antibiotics your pet gets, the higher the risk of resistant infections. 🧬

3. Misleading “Improvement”

Even viral infections may temporarily improve due to supportive care—not the antibiotic itself. This leads to false assumptions and more unnecessary prescriptions. 📉

🐾 Responsible Antibiotic Use: What You Can Do

• 🕒 Let mild viral illnesses run their course
• 💊 Always give antibiotics for the full prescribed duration
• 🚫 Never share or reuse leftover antibiotics
• 🧪 Ask if culture testing is possible
• 🗣️ Be open to alternatives: bathing, ear cleaning, dental care

📋 Situations Where Non-Antibiotic Treatment May Be Better

• 🧼 Mild pyoderma – use medicated shampoos
• 🧴 Ear infections – try topical cleaners or drops first
• 🦷 Gingivitis – dental cleaning over medication
• 😾 Abscess – open and drain, then reassess
• 💧 Diarrhea – often resolves with hydration and supportive care

📱 Ask A Vet Can Help

Unsure if antibiotics are needed? Worried your pet is getting too many? We’re here to help at AskAVet.com. 🧠🐶

• 📋 Get second opinions on treatment plans
• 🧫 Learn whether a culture is appropriate
• 📊 Track symptoms, meds, and response

📲 Download the Ask A Vet App

Monitor symptoms, get guidance on medication decisions, and talk to a licensed vet anytime. Stay informed—and protect your pet’s health long-term. 💬📱

🎯 Final Thoughts

Antibiotics save lives—but only when used correctly. Knowing when they’re truly needed helps keep them effective for years to come. Don’t be afraid to ask your vet about alternatives, cultures, or waiting. 🐕🧠

Because smarter decisions today mean stronger treatments tomorrow. 💊🐾