Post-surgery antibiotics are an essential part of mitigating the risk of infection, but they require careful administration.
Having to put your pet through surgery is a harrowing experience, and it doesn’t end once they come off the operating table. After surgery, a lot of care and maintenance goes into ensuring a smooth recovery through wound care, limiting activity, and making sure your companion gets any appropriate medications prescribed by your veterinary surgeon. One of the more common medications prescribed after veterinary surgeries is antibiotics—a medication prescribed for the specific purpose of killing off bacteria.
Why antibiotics?
In the case of surgery, antibiotics are often given in order to mitigate the risk of a serious infection developing. Anyone going through surgery, whether animal or human, will have an incision site that is considered an open wound (unless the surgery is laparoscopic). Open wounds are breeding grounds for bacteria, and an infection can be incredibly dangerous while a body is trying to heal from surgery. For this reason, antibiotics are often prescribed.
What are the risks?
Generally, the side effects of antibiotics are often mild, though there can be exceptions. In most cases, side effects include but are not limited to:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Yeast infections
If your veterinary surgeon prescribes antibiotics, it is because they believe that the benefits outweigh the risks. It is, however, always important to keep a close eye on your pet while they’re healing from surgery to make sure they’re handling their medications and healing process well. You should notify your vet immediately if you suspect your pet may be having a serious reaction to any medications.
Does my pet need to take all of them?
If you have ever been given antibiotics, you might remember being told by your doctor to make sure you take the entire course of pills rather than stopping once your symptoms improve. This same rule applies to antibiotics given to pets—they need to be given the full course of antibiotics.
The reason finishing the course is so important is because bacteria have the potential to become antibiotic-resistant versions of themselves that can no longer be treated with standard antibiotic treatments. This is a threat to your pet’s health and the health of pets in general. Superbugs can’t be treated with the usual antibiotic treatments, making them dangerous to the population at large. Always make sure your pet is given all of their antibiotics pills whenever they are prescribed. If you ever have questions or concerns about symptoms that arise while taking medications, be sure to discuss them immediately with your companion’s care team.
Trust Maryland Veterinary Surgical Services With Your Companion’s Health
Your companion’s health is important, and the team at MVSS is ready to provide the best care possible for your furry family. We are dedicated to combining comprehensive exams and assessments with informative and honest discussions of your companion’s care. Once we have worked with you to decide on the best course of action for your dog, our professionals will use their surgical expertise to work towards the goal of giving your companion an active and pain-free life. We are proud to serve loyal companions in Catonsville and Baltimore. To learn more about our services, give us a call at 410-788-4088 or visit us online. For more information and tips for pet health, follow us on Facebook and Pinterest.