Dog antibiotics are medications that are used to kill and control different types of infections. Antibiotics work effectively on gram positive and gram negative bacteria. Although they have no effect on viruses, they can cure secondary bacterial infections that are caused by certain viral infections. While antibiotics control infections promptly, they need to be administered only according to the vet’s instructions. Due to this reason, they’re only available as prescription drugs.
Infections Treated with Antibiotics
Every antibiotic medication contains certain active ingredients that kill susceptible bacteria. While some antibiotics bring relief from gastrointestinal tract infections, eye infections and urinary tract infections, others are specifically formulated for respiratory tract infections and skin disorders. The vet will have to find out the type of infection your pet is suffering from in order to prescribe the right antibiotic to kill the infection. Lab test and other diagnostic procedures are often necessary to confirm the type of infection that’s present in the pet’s body.
Since there are several antibiotics that are formulated specifically for use in cats and dogs, you should avoid administering your cat’s medication to your dog and vice versa.
Commercially Available Dog Antibiotics Include:
- Clindamycin
- Amoxicillin
- Ciprofloxacin
- Tetracycline
- Orbax
- Doxycycline
Cost of Dog Antibiotics
The cost of the antibiotic your purchase depends upon the type of medication that’s prescribed and its potency. A single antibiotic capsule could cost you anything from $0.39 to $3 while a bottle of 50 tablets could cost you on an average $20. Since you could order your pet’s medication online, you could save a lot of money through discounts that are available on the Internet.
Your vet will have to authorize refills if your dog needs to take the medication for a longer period of time. If you don’t have this prescription you may not be able to complete your purchase online.
Other Dog Antibiotics
Apart from tablets and capsules, some antibiotics are also available as suspensions or liquid preparations. The cost of buying a 15 ml bottle of an antibiotic medication like Clavamox would cost you nearly $23. The price may vary across different stores so it’s best to look up the prices at different pet medical stores online to know your options. If you have a government funded pet medical centre in your area you could also visit them in person to avail of discounted medications.
You should also use such medical facilities to get pet vaccines for free. You may have to wait your turn but you will be able to request for certain pet medical care services at a discounted rate.
Dog Medical Costs
Since the cost of medicines and medical supplies is on the rise, you should consider purchasing a pet insurance policy. There are several policies that offer extensive coverage. Since there are several companies that offer you pet insurance policies, make sure you do some research to find a policy that’s affordable and one that offers good coverage. You must also find out if the policy covers the cost of medications and medical supplies so that you know your entitlements.
Since your dog depends on you when he’s sick, it’s important to administer his medications on time. If the cost of medication and treatment is very high, discuss it with your vet to find out what are your other options.