antibiotic question

Honestly - I think you need another vets opinion. I've read your other post - and something like this needs to be handled.

Casey had a bad staph infection when I got him - coupled by poor food (science diet) and a flea allergy. Some good food, and good shampoo later - we have had no problems this year.

With the shampoo - it's very important that you use it twice a week - for at least a month straight. Many of the problems with staph is people stop too soon - because it looks better. After my month of bathing, we cut back to once a week, and once every other week, per my vet. We had a slight flare up last fall (allergies), and nothing this year.

What food are you feeding your dog? What maintenance are you doing? I use teatree oil shampoo for baths (Earthbath) and that does WONDERS for his skin.

Even if I just gave one dose?

 I agree with Amanda. I've only stopped antibiotics early one time, and my dog was having a really nasty reaction, or I wouldn't have. I started her on something different, immediately.

Jake likely has a staph infection.  It has been my experience that to treat with the Simplicef plus topicals is the way to go.  I would continue with the full course of the Simplicef.   We used the 14 day couse of Simplicef  along with Malaseb  wipes with great results for staph. Here is a nice article on Simplicaf.

http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/cefpodoxime-proxetil-simplicef/page1.aspx

He is on prescription dog food, hills, zd.  I use prescription ketochlor, but to be honest I don't use it twice a week.  When I talked to my vet last night, she told me to use it twice a week on his underbelly.  When he gets groomed, every 6 weeks, he gets a bath in Ketochlor, but as soon as his sores go away, I stop the Ketochlor in that area.  Maybe I do need to use it faithfully twice a week for a while.  I really don't do any type of maintenance.

Thank you for this article.  I'm just afraid of over using antibiotics.  But he is licking himself for a reason, so maybe I will be safe than sorry and just continue it.  I didn't take him into the vet for her to look at him, because she has seen this many times before, so I tried to save a little money and have her give it to me over the phone, which she was comfortable doing.

Since the infection keeps 'coming' back - there's a good chance it never left in the first place. When my vet told me to use it twice a week - I though he was crazy. Then it worked. I was faithful up until the end - and the difference was amazing.

Finish the orals - he may even need another round - talk with your vet. And shampoo often. I use my bottle every-so-often with his teatree oil shampoo when I know it's allergy season for him - to prevent breakouts.

What exactly is teatree oil and how does it help?  Where can I buy it and what brand do you use?

 Thanks,

Michelle

 it's an herb used for a variety of skin issues - http://www.theherbsplace.com/Tea_Tree_Oil_Uses_sp_153.html

Callie had told me about using it on a dog with demodex - after reading about it - I found a shampoo with it IN it, and use that on my dog. I use Earthbath - with Tea Tree Oil and Aloe. Works WONDERS.

What is demodex and can I use teatree oil if my dog doesn't have demodex?

erica1989

Tea Tree Oil and Aloe. Works WONDERS.

And smells HORRIBLE!

I have purchased it at a couple of different Health Food Stores. I can tell you though...I open that bottle and my dogs RUN the other way.

Oh NO!  LOL!  I love the way the Ketochlor smells!

It's for a variety of skin issues - it's an anti-fungal/antiseptic. The shampoo smells good - I didn't mind the straight oil, but - it's been a while since I used it...I may have forgotten...