There are case reports of humans who are believed to have contracted bacterial infections from their pets. The impact of resistant bacterial infections in pets on the health of their owners has not, however, been well established. Despite the lack of hard evidence in this area, the potential human health effects of antimicrobial resistant infections in pets should not be ignored. The responsibility for minimizing the incidence of bacterial resistance is shared between the veterinarian and the pet owner. Veterinarians are highly trained to recognize disease symptoms or to use tests to determine the specific cause of a disease.
Antibiotics are only effective for diseases caused by bacteria.
They are useless for treating diseases caused by viruses. When a veterinarian makes the diagnosis of a bacterial infection, their medical training enables them to determine exactly what type of bacteria is involved and to select the best antibiotic to treat the infection. Pet owners must ensure that they closely adhere to the dosing instructions for their pet. This means that they continue to use the antimicrobial in the prescribed manner until the prescription is complete even if the pet s condition improves after a few days treatment. A look at the hottest issues and latest news Vol.