Topical antibiotics for dogs are very similar to the same type of medicines for humans. They are topical creams and ointments that contain a mild antibacterial agent. This ingredient is responsible for eliminating potentially harmful bacteria that could otherwise lead to infections and may stop minor sores and injuries from healing as they should. Topical antibiotics are important for a number of reasons. They are also very inexpensive, readily available and quite effective, making them a great item to include in any home veterinary medicine cabinet if you have a dog.
Topical Antibiotics Overview
The function of topical antibiotics is to help open sores and wounds to heal faster and to avoid infection. Infections on the surface of your pet's skin can not only extend the recovery time for your pet, but may also spread to other parts of the body. Infections that enter into the bloodstream can go to internal organs and may even prove fatal if left untreated for too long. By treating a sore or open cut quickly with the appropriate topical antibiotics, you can help to ensure that this does not happen to your pet.
Topical antibiotics can be used to treat a variety of different issues. These include the following:
- Minor cuts and scrapes
- Hot spots
- Abrasions
- Open sores
- Inflamed areas
Types of Topical Antibiotics
Panalog cream is one of the most popular types of topical antibiotic that is formulated specifically for use in dogs. This cream is oftentimes used to treat infections of the ear and other areas where many other topical antibiotics may not work as well.
Many human formulated antibiotic creams will also work for dogs. Neosporin and Mycitracin are oftentimes recommended by vets for use on animals. In the case of these other antibiotic creams, however, it's always a good idea to consult with your vet before you begin to treat your pet with these items. The reason for this is that pets may experience a variety of different reactions to these creams. They are generally used more for minor cuts and scratches than for larger wounds.
Other Factors and Considerations
When using a topical antibiotic cream, it's important that you follow the proper procedures for cleaning and treating the sore or other area that the cream will be applied to before you actually apply it. This will further help the healing process and will allow the antibiotic cream to be as effective as possible.
Antibiotic creams should generally not be used in sensitive parts of your dog's body, like the face, the ears and the eyes. These creams may cause further damage if used in these places. There are typically specific types of antibiotics that are used to address infections of these parts of the body.
Most antibiotic creams will cause your pet some intestinal and stomach upset if ingested. Be sure to monitor your dog closely after applying antibiotic cream to his skin to ensure that he doesn't try to eat any of it or to lick it off of his body.