Antibiotic only licensed for humans

[GaynorU]

My otherwise healthy 11 year old dog had surgery 12 days ago to remove a recurring lump on her paw. The wound is now infected. Vet took a sample and the only antibiotic that can reliably tackle it is one that is not licensed for animals. As it could cause kidney problems the dog would have to be put on a drip, after administration.
Has anyone had experience of this treatment as I can find no information on the internet.
PS we are cleaning twice daily with saline and applying Flamazine. But not encouraging results so far….

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Usually the reason that drugs are not licensed for animal use is that they haven't been tested sufficiently on different types of animals. If the drug is the one which is most likely to work and nothing else seems to be working, I would ask the vet to use that.

 

[SAujla]

Is your vet recommending using the antibiotic not licensed for animals? A second opinion might be worth considering and if they agree you could talk with them about all the possible side effects

 

[GaynorU]

Thank you for your replies. We are already trying what he called an ‘intermittent’ antibiotic which is used when others fail. We have an appointment tomorrow when we will know the way forward. I was just hoping that another dog owner had had a similar experience with unlicensed antibiotics. Thanks again

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Is your vet recommending using the antibiotic not licensed for animals? A second opinion might be worth considering and if they agree you could talk with them about all the possible side effects

Whilst I don't wish to be rude, this post shows the difference been an inexperienced animal owner and one who has kept multiple animals for decades. Our vets have used drugs licensed for other species only, on all sorts of animals that we have had. We once lost a foal because an experienced vet, who we had known for years, had been treating him with an unlicensed- for- horses drug and then went on holiday, the replacement numpty inexperienced vet, who seemed to think that he was an equine expert wouldn't give he unlicensed drug to the foal and he had to be pts, despite having been making progress under the original treatment. If that's the only drug that will work, what choice do you have? A 2nd opinion isn't going to be able to magic up another drug.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Which antibiotic is the vet planning on using? Has it been used much in dogs?

The vet is unlikely to have suggested it without good reason, but it is still better for the owner to be fully informed on the pros/cons. Using drugs licensed in one species for another where it isn't licensed is not that uncommon.

Good luck.

 

[SAujla]

Whilst I don't wish to be rude, this post shows the difference been an inexperienced animal owner and one who has kept multiple animals for decades. Our vets have used drugs licensed for other species only, on all sorts of animals that we have had. We once lost a foal because an experienced vet, who we had known for years, had been treating him with an unlicensed- for- horses drug and then went on holiday, the replacement numpty inexperienced vet, who seemed to think that he was an equine expert wouldn't give he unlicensed drug to the foal and he had to be pts, despite having been making progress under the original treatment. If that's the only drug that will work, what choice do you have? A 2nd opinion isn't going to be able to magic up another drug.

If you don't wish to be rude then don't be. I never said a second opinion would magic up another drug, but could confirm the first vet was right to suggest it.

 

[skinnydipper]

Sometimes there is no choice other than for a vet to prescribe a drug off-license because there isn't an approved veterinary equivalent.

 

[GaynorU]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I will ask the vet tomorrow for a clearer picture. As as I said I was hoping that a fellow dog owner had been through similar but, I’m learning from all the comments!

 

[ester]

Antibiotic sensitivity testing is pretty clear cut so if there aren’t other options being suggested from that then off label with supportive care would be the way forwards.

 

[Clodagh]

Pen had a non dog ab when she had surgery on a bad leg wound in January. I signed the authorisation straight away.
Mine did talk me through the risks, as yours did. I didn’t have a lot of time to consider options, under the circumstances, but if you trust your vet and they can tell you your dog is not the first it’s ever been used on, I’d not worry.

 

[GaynorU]

Pen had a non dog ab when she had surgery on a bad leg wound in January. I signed the authorisation straight away.
Mine did talk me through the risks, as yours did. I didn’t have a lot of time to consider options, under the circumstances, but if you trust your vet and they can tell you your dog is not the first it’s ever been used on, I’d not worry.

Thank you, the vet says that this has only happened to him twice in 10 years! I have to trust his guidance and I’m heartened that another dog owner has been through this.

 

[Clodagh]

Thank you, the vet says that this has only happened to him twice in 10 years! I have to trust his guidance and I’m heartened that another dog owner has been through this.

She bounced back from the surgery very well, with no long term ill effects. Everything has a risk of course, but not treating it isn’t an option either. (As you know).

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If you don't wish to be rude then don't be. I never said a second opinion would magic up another drug, but could confirm the first vet was right to suggest it.

So what would the other vet be able to suggest, given that the lab has tested the bacteria and said that only one antibiotic will counteract the infection? Or would you expect this vet to say 'pts, there is nothing we can do?'

 

[SAujla]

So what would the other vet be able to suggest, given that the lab has tested the bacteria and said that only one antibiotic will counteract the infection? Or would you expect this vet to say 'pts, there is nothing we can do?'

Give reassurance and pass on their experience as they could know more. You can make your point without trying to put me down for my lack of experience

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Give reassurance and pass on their experience as they could know more. You can make your point without trying to put me down for my lack of experience

I was not trying to put you down. I have enjoyed your posts about your first dog - she is lovely and you are obviously a caring owner who did plenty of research before choosing her but OP may not know that you are a first time dog owner and your post didn't make that clear.
No-one would expect the owner of a healthy 3(?) yr old first time dog to have wide experience of vets and their advice, or how they use 'unlicensed' drugs where appropriate, nor the circumstances which could lead to an 'unlicensed' drug being recommended

 

[SAujla]

I was not trying to put you down. I have enjoyed your posts about your first dog - she is lovely and you are obviously a caring owner who did plenty of research before choosing her but OP may not know that you are a first time dog owner and your post didn't make that clear.
No-one would expect the owner of a healthy 3(?) yr old first time dog to have wide experience of vets and their advice, or how they use 'unlicensed' drugs where appropriate.

She's just turned 2 in February and fair enough, I never looked at it from that angle my apologies.

 

[[153312]]

Afaik it's not at all uncommon for unlicensed drugs to be used in veterinary medicine....

 

[Nasicus]

A pony of mine had an infection following intubation, coughing and stinky breath. Vet ended up treating it with antibiotics licensed for chickens! Did a grand job, cleared it right up, and I promise she didn't grow feathers

 

[SOS]

Using unlicensed drugs isn’t uncommon in animals. In fact there’s lots of legislation on it, it’s called “the cascade”. Very briefly put the cascade is the means of weighing up the pros and cons of using the unlicensed drug to prevent an animal suffering and, when possible, exhausting options of licensed drugs first.

If that’s what’s your vet is recommending and supportive treatment is required I would take the option they give. Infection is no longer a scary word but it will be in the future, animals and people do unfortunately get very sick and die from untreated infections.

 

[SusieT]

To be fair, another vet may have another way of looking at it - e.g. suggesting a different way of treating the infection - Antibiotics are not the be all and end all and there is a degree of interpretation - e.g. in some people you could swab and find they are resistant to all antibiotics but treating it with something else e.g. manuka honey might be more appropriate anyway as the bacteria is not significant. A second opinion is definitely not a bad idea, with an experienced surgical vet.

 

[Quigleyandme]

My pony had a very severe guttural pouch infection. He was prescribed an antibiotic intended for poultry. Worked a treat.

 

[GaynorU]

To be fair, another vet may have another way of looking at it - e.g. suggesting a different way of treating the infection - Antibiotics are not the be all and end all and there is a degree of interpretation - e.g. in some people you could swab and find they are resistant to all antibiotics but treating it with something else e.g. manuka honey might be more appropriate anyway as the bacteria is not significant. A second opinion is definitely not a bad idea, with an experienced surgical vet.[/QUOTE

To be fair, another vet may have another way of looking at it - e.g. suggesting a different way of treating the infection - Antibiotics are not the be all and end all and there is a degree of interpretation - e.g. in some people you could swab and find they are resistant to all antibiotics but treating it with something else e.g. manuka honey might be more appropriate anyway as the bacteria is not significant. A second opinion is definitely not a bad idea, with an experienced surgical vet.

 

[GaynorU]

Yes this has given me something to consider, thank you

 

[Tiddlypom]

Do crack on re getting a second opinion if you intend to get one. Time is of the essence.

 

[GaynorU]

Do crack on re getting a second opinion if you intend to get one. Time is of the essence.

We are seeing the vet tomorrow so he will inspect the wound, I will take it from there

 

[[153312]]

Good luck!! x

 

[CorvusCorax]

A few years ago a vet student gave me a sachet of oral antibiotic powder for calves to put on my dog's paw when he cut it really badly - sounds mad but it was great stuff. I don't think it is made anymore.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Definitely don't hang about with this. I had a cat that had an infection in its paw caused by a feral tom. Vet could not get on top of the infection so leg was removed but the infection still spread and we lost her. That was a bit of an extreme case though as the infection had got into the lymph system and was basically untreatable.

 

[Thistle]

My old Staffie is on long term Ranitidine for stomach acid over production. It's no longer available in the liquid form so she has to have the tablets which are human only, unlicenced for dogs. I have to sign that I know this and give permission.