Antibiotics for Pets: Mythbusters
1. My vet would use antibiotics in all cases of a pet having diarrhoea. This is…
A. correct: some of these symptoms are caused by viruses, such as canine parvovirus, and
antibiotics wouldn’t work in cases like this
A. incorrect: as every case of diarrhoea is caused by bacteria, so vets will use antibiotics in
these types of cases
B. incorrect: as antibiotics work against every pet disease
2. When my pet has diarrhoea, I should call my vet as they may want to examine my pet. This
is…
A. correct: I should call my vet for any change I notice in a pet’s behaviour or health but
sometimes if a pet has a mild case of a runny tummy your vet may give you advice over the
phone
B. incorrect: I should go straight down to the practice and not worry about possibly infecting
other pets at the practice
C. incorrect: I should first check with my friend who has a dog similar to mine about how to
treat my pet to avoid bothering my vet
3. There are lot of cases of cat sneezing that my friends have talked about. I’ve been told
taking antibiotics ‘just in case’ can cause bacteria to become resistant to an antibiotic so
the drug won’t work in future. This is…
A. correct: giving your pet antibiotics when they doesn’t need them will lead to some bacteria
becoming resistant to antibiotics
B. incorrect: bacteria can’t become resistant to antibiotics
C. incorrect: taking antibiotics will get rid of every harmful bacteria in a pet’s body so they won’t
get infected again
4. My vet has only given my pet a short course of antibiotics but I think I need my pet needs
them for longer. Should I….
A. correct: you should give the antibiotics to your pet as prescribed, or they may not clear the
infection
B. incorrect: I’ll use some of my other pet’s antibiotics as I didn’t give them all the ones for a
previous condition
C. incorrect: I’ll just give my pet a lower dose than was written on the tablet pot, so they’ll last
longer
5. Antibiotic resistance is serious because…
A. antibiotics may not work against resistant bacteria
B. without effective antibiotics many routine treatments will become increasingly dangerous
C. overuse of antibiotics means that antibiotic resistance will spread faster and faster
D. antibiotic resistance affects both humans and animals
E. all of the above
This quiz has been developed by The Bella Moss Foundation and PDSA in support of European Antibiotic Awareness Day 2014.
For more information go to www.thebellamossfoundation.com or www.pdsa.org.uk
The facts.
1. Antibiotics are not effective against coughs, colds and sore throats. This is…
A. Correct. No. Some of these diseases are caused by viruses, such as canine parvovirus,
and antibiotics wouldn’t work in cases like this. Antibiotics cannot help a pet recover from
infections that are caused by viruses, such as parvovirus in dogs, cat immunodeficiency
infection and rabbit myxomatosis. This is because antibiotics are only effective against
bacterial infections. Mild infections with bacteria may also get better without antibiotics but your
vet is the one who can advise you about this, so always give them a call if you notice a change
in your pets’ health.
2. When my pet has diarrhoea, I should call my vet as they may want to examine my pet. This is…
A. Correct: I should call my vet for any change I notice in a pet’s behaviour or health but
sometimes if a pet has a mild case of a runny tummy your vet may give you advice over the
phone. In addition, if you go into your vet’s waiting room without telling the practice first, this
could spread an infection to other pets. It’s always best to call your vet first of all with any
queries like this so they can decide what is best for your pet.
3. There are lot of cases of cat sneezing that my friends have talked about. I’ve been told taking
antibiotics ‘just in case’ can cause bacteria to become resistant to an antibiotic so the drug
won’t work in future. This is…
A. Correct: Giving your pet antibiotics when they doesn’t need them will lead to some
bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics. Bacteria can adapt and find ways to survive even
if a pet’s owner is giving them antibiotics. They become ‘antibiotic resistant’ so that the
antibiotic no longer works.
4. My vet has only given my pet a short course of antibiotics but I think I need my pet needs them
for longer. Should I….
A. Correct: you should give the antibiotics to your pet as prescribed, or they may not clear
the infection. When your vet prescribes antibiotics it is important that you give them as directed
and don’t change the dose. A lower or less frequent dose of an antibiotic may not be effective
and can lead to bacterial resistance. Never give your pet antibiotics that were prescribed for a
previous disease or another pet. They are only meant for a particular pet and a particular
disease and may not be effective for different infections in other pets.
5. Antibiotic resistance is serious because…
A. antibiotics may not work against resistant bacteria
B. without effective antibiotics many routine treatments and operations will become increasingly
dangerous
C. overuse of antibiotics means that antibiotic resistance will spread faster and faster
D. antibiotic resistance affects both humans and animals
E. All of the above: antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats facing us today. Pet
operations like mending a pet’s broken bones and intestinal surgery all rely on antibitoics to
make sure there’s no infection after the surgery. Vets and pet owners all need to act now to
stop the spread of antibiotic resistance.
To help do your part to stop the spread of antibiotic resistance, choose a pledge at
AntibioticGuardian.com. Your actions can help protect antibiotics.
This quiz has been developed by The Bella Moss Foundation and PDSA in support of European Antibiotic Awareness Day 2014.
For more information go to www.thebellamossfoundation.com or www.pdsa.org.uk