Download Client Guidelines

ANIMAL DERMATOLOGY NZ
A division of MedVet Ltd
12 Poynters Crescent
NELSON
Duncan Graham BVSc BSc Hons
www.animaldermatology.co.nz
Client guidelines for the treatment of superficial bacterial infection
in dogs: 2014
Your dog has been started on a course of systemic (oral) antibiotics for the treatment of a superficial
bacterial skin infection. In recent years, in both humans and dogs, and other species as well, there has been
increasing resistance of many common bacteria to antibiotics that used to be effective. There are a number
of factors that are causing this increased resistance, but the incorrect use of antimicrobial drugs has been
established as a cause.
There is a great deal of discussion, in human medicine and in veterinary medicine, about what is the
correct way to use antibiotics. It is a constantly changing field. Yesterday’s dogma is discounted
tomorrow. None the less we have to follow the current recommendations. The following is based on the
2014 Guidelines for the diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of canine bacterial infection.
To get the most out of the antibiotic treatment of your dog’s skin condition, and to help prevent bacterial
resistance, please take note of the following points:
1. Observe the response to antibiotics in terms of lesions (the crusted areas or pimples) and in terms
of itching. It is useful if you rank these out of 10 (where 0 = normal dog or no itching and 10 =
constant itching, severe lesions) at the beginning of treatment. Typically if we are on the right
track, there should be a rapid improvement in the first 1 to 2 weeks of treatment. If there is no
improvement after 7 days, notify your attending veterinarian.
2.
Your dog has been given a revisit appointment. Please bring your dog to that appointment even if
your dog’s skin appears normal to you. This is very important because the most common cause
of recurrence of bacterial infection is stopping the antibiotics too soon. Most skin infections
need a minimum of three weeks treatment. Many need 3-6 weeks treatment. Stopping too early
means that the bacteria are incompletely treated and there is often a rapid relapse. Most
dermatologists recommend treating for a week past “cure.” Long courses of antibiotics are
expensive but relapsing skin infections are more expensive.
3.
Often there are other underlying predisposing causes, like allergy or endocrine problems,
associated with superficial skin infections. It is important that if your dog improves but improves
incompletely, especially if he continues to lick, chew or rub obsessively any part of his body, you
should let your veterinarian know.
4. Side effects are possible with any medication. Some of these like vomiting can be prevented by
giving the medication with food or away from food. Please make sure you have been informed
with regard to the current medication. Report any side effects immediately to your veterinarian. If
the side effects are serious, discontinue the treatment until you have spoken to your veterinarian.
5. New Zealand has a low incidence of multi drug resistant bacteria. We want to keep it that way.
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