Antibiotics and Your Pet: How to Keep Them Safe and Effective
Antibiotics have revolutionised veterinary care, allowing us to treat infections that were once potentially fatal. However, the overuse or misuse of antibiotics can lead to a serious problem: antibiotic resistance. Both veterinary professionals and pet owners play a key role in keeping antibiotics effective for everyone.
What Is Antibiotic Resistance?
Antibiotic resistance occurs when bacteria evolve to survive the medications designed to kill them. This means:
- Antibiotics become less effective, or even ineffective, for serious infections.
- Minor illnesses treated unnecessarily with antibiotics can accelerate resistance.
- Limited treatment options may remain, often with increased side effects.
By using antibiotics responsibly, we can protect their effectiveness for the future—both for humans and pets.
What You Can Do as a Pet Owner
Responsible antibiotic use starts at home. Here are the most important steps:
- Follow the full course: Always give the entire prescription to your pet, even if they seem better.
- Do not share medications: Antibiotics should only be used by the pet they were prescribed for.
- Store correctly: Keep antibiotics according to the instructions on the packet.
- Vaccinate: Keep your pet’s annual vaccines up to date.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Proper diet and exercise strengthen your pet’s immune system.
- Limit exposure: If your pet is contagious, minimize contact with other animals and wash your hands before and after handling them.
- Dispose safely: Bring any leftover antibiotics to your vet for safe disposal.
What Milton Keynes Veterinary Group Is Doing
At our practice, we take a proactive approach to prevent antibiotic resistance:
- Prescribing antibiotics only when necessary, not “just in case.”
- Sending samples for culture and sensitivity tests to identify the most effective antibiotic.
- Labeling antibiotic packets as reminders to return unused medication.
- Upholding gold-standard cleaning and surgical sterility protocols to prevent hospital-acquired infections.
- Achieving an ‘excellent’ rating in infection control from the RCVS Practice Standards Scheme.
Together, We Can Make a Difference
By following these guidelines and working with your veterinary team, we can protect the power of antibiotics for the pets we love—and for ourselves. Responsible use today ensures that antibiotics remain effective when they’re truly needed.