Tavistock Veterinarians Professional Corporation
25 Hope St E N0B 2R0 Tavistock, ON, Canada

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Antibiotic Resistance Newsletter How do antibiotics work? Antibiotics work by either killing bacteria or preventing them from proliferating, so that an infection does not progress. Different classes of antibiotics achieve this by different mechanisms at a molecular level. Some of these drug functions work better with certain types of bacteria than others - this is called the drug's spectrum of activity. Therefore, not every antibiotic will kill every type of bacteria. This is... why a veterinarian or physician will choose certain antibiotics for particular types of infections. What is antibiotic resistance? Antibiotic resistance is the adaptation and evolution of bacteria to persist against antibiotic drugs. If some of the bacteria in a bacterial population develop an adaptation to survive an antibiotic, or if treatment is ended prematurely, then only the "weaker" bacteria of the population are killed off; and only the adapted/"stronger" bacteria in the population remain to proliferate. As a result, that bacteria population becomes more and more resistant to the drug. Diagram credit: CDC (www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/about.html) Appropriate Use of Antibiotics 1) Always consult your veterinarian. 2) Your vet can assess and recommend a medication with the most appropriate spectrum of activity. 3) Give any prescribed antibiotics as directed for dose and duration. 4) Administer antibiotics only when bacterial infection is of concern (vs. viral infections or fungal infections). Practices to Avoid with Antibiotics *Do not use leftover antibiotics for a new case without veterinary consult. It may not be appropriate to treat the new condition with antibiotics; the drug may not have the appropriate spectrum of activity for the new case; or it may not be appropriate dosing for the new situation. *Do not prematurely stop giving the prescribed antibiotic without veterinary consult. If you are having trouble administering the drug (due to horse's behaviour, appetite, etc.); are noticing side-effects; or if you think the condition has dramatically improved before the course is finished, call and speak with your veterinarian to discuss if a change in the protocol is appropriate. Culture and Susceptibility Testing Optimal antibiotic choice can be facilitated by the use of culture and susceptibility testing. A sample from infected tissue is used to incubate a Petri dish in a laboratory. The specific bacteria species can then be identified. Furthermore, the bacteria can be tested with small discs of different antibiotics. If the bacteria is able to grow close to the disc, the sample bacteria is resistant to that antibiotic. If a zone remains without growth around the disc, the antibiotic is successful against the bacteria from the sample and is a better treatment choice. For infection or other health-related concerns regarding your horse, please contact our veterinary team.

Horses are the doctor for my soul. Just being around their calming energy relaxes me. The sound of horses chewing hay in a quiet barn is like music to me. The feel of a horse's breath on my hand is calming. Grooming is therapy and riding is freedom from any stress I am feeling.

This little girl met a cow and fell in love

If you're looking to make a difference this holiday season, consider our Wish List. Help us to help our animals. (part 1)

HAPPY 93rd Birthday Bob Barker!! Bob Barker’s Quest To Get Your Pet Spayed or Neutered Pays Off! In retirement, Barker has been able to focus more on helping animals. He has donated millions of dollars to animal rights organizations, including spending $1 million to help transport three African elephants to a sanctuary in California. This summer, he also partnered with PETA to urge CBS to stop using real wild animals in its TV thriller Zoo.... Barker says that as proud as he is of his career on The Price Is Right, his animal rights activism is, for him, the most meaningful piece of his legacy.

Planning on travelling with your horse? Border Crossings - Importing & Exporting Horses - visit: https://www.equestrian.ca/industry/border

Equine Internal Combustion: Winter Feeding http://www.thehorse.com/artic//equine-internal-combustion