Why is it Important to

Give the Medication Correctly?

 

Why does it matter whether your pet gets their medication as directed on the label? The most obvious answer to this question is that they won’t get better without the prescribed treatment, but there are other factors involved. If you are giving antibiotics to your pet, they need to be given at a big enough dose that they treat the bacteria causing the infection. If not, not only may the infection get worse, but the bacteria may start to develop something called antibiotic resistance. This means that they are no longer treated by the antibiotic even at high doses and the antibiotic will no longer work. It may also cost you more to treat your pet as you may need repeated courses of antibiotics, or your vet may have to prescribe different ones if resistance does occur.

 

For the bacteria to be properly treated by an antibiotic, the correct amount must be given at the correct time, and the whole course must be finished. If your vet asks you to give medication twice daily, you should try to give it at as close to 12 hour intervals as you can e.g. 8am and 8pm, not at breakfast and teatime. Similarly, for three times daily, you should give it at 8 hour intervals. For any medication you should follow any specific instructions such as whether it is to be given with or without food, or whether you should allow any time between different medications.