Antibiotic only licensed for humans

[tda]

The antibiotic eye drops I got for our dog from the vet recently were human eye drops

 

[[153312]]

If we're doing "stories of unlicensed meds given to animals", I've had ten goldfish on human anti protozoal/anti biotic tablets before now, lo: co-trimoxazole. (Solely antibiotic in humans, we were using it against an evil evil protozoal infection).

And ALL my hamsters/chinchillas who've needed medication have normally ended up on dog or cat stuff. They do make you sign for it though. IIRC I've had rabbits on cat pain/anti inflammatories...but the fish was definitely the weirdest one.

Because of the animals I keep, I'd be shocked tbh if I wasn't required to sign off unlicensed medication.
My accident prone tool of a fewspot has been given dexamethasone too, a human steroid injection, and I would say that you shouldn't let it put you off a particular treatment or a particular vet, especially if you're talking dogs/cats.

 

[Birker2020]

I had to sign a disclaimer once for my horse to be injected with a drug that wasn't licensed for use in humans - depo provera.

Less than 12 months later he dropped down dead from a supposed heart attack. I will never know whether that had something to do with it or not but at the time i had no choice.

Its not something I would consider again in a hurry. But maybe that's just me. And it would depend on the circumstances.

 

[GaynorU]

Promising news! The vet today is much more optimistic about the wound healing with current treatment. I have really valued everyone’s input as I could not find anything on the internet. Had I had to proceed with the unlicensed antibiotic today I would have felt much more confident I was doing the right thing. When the vet talks about possible kidney damage and drips with the unlicensed ab it is frightening. Thanks again everyone for your help
PS for interested parties the ? bacteria was pseudomonas

 

[CorvusCorax]

Ooh that's a nasty one....

 

[SAujla]

This is based solely on my knowledge of pseudomonas in humans but that can be a very difficult bacterial infection to get rid off, ciprofloxacin is normally prescribed. Its a big problem in hospitals, easily transmitted. Fingers crossed for your dog

 

[GaynorU]

This is based solely on my knowledge of pseudomonas in humans but that can be a very difficult bacterial infection to get rid off, ciprofloxacin is normally prescribed. Its a big problem in hospitals, easily transmitted. Fingers crossed for your dog

Thank you, ??

 

[Nasicus]

I had to sign a disclaimer once for my horse to be injected with a drug that wasn't licensed for use in humans - depo provera.
Less than 12 months later he dropped down dead from a supposed heart attack. I will never know whether that had something to do with it or not but at the time i had no choice.
Its not something I would consider again in a hurry. But maybe that's just me. And it would depend on the circumstances.

Dropped dead from a heart attack shy of a year after injection? Highly unlikely to be from a shot of Depo with that time frame. Plus, depo is somewhat commonly used in horses, it's called Medroxyprogesterone Acetate.
Out of curiosity, why did he need it? It's most commonly used in relation to mares and their reproductive cycles, so curious to know why they used it in a gelding, was he studdish?

 

[Boulty]

Pseudomonas can be a pain to get rid of so can understand possibly reaching for something a bit weird to treat it esp if its showing as resistant to a lot of antimicrobials. I vaguely seem to remember it likes warm, moist "sweaty" conditions so can respond well to certain topical treatments sometimes? Silver creams (eg flamazine) have some effect on it sometimes I think although of course if your vet has done sensitivity tests then they'll know best what is most likely to work.

 

[GSD Woman]

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.

This is the way to go with wounds that won't heal with normal treatment. It sounds like your vet is being upfront and honest.

PS for interested parties the ? bacteria was pseudomonas

Oooo, that is one nasty bacteria. It's pretty common in pet rabbits here. (USA).

I have a looooong time in vet med(licensed tech) and using drugs not labeled for animal or species use in done. Good vets will explain off label use and risks. Most will have you sign a release.

 

[Clodagh]

I had to sign a disclaimer once for my horse to be injected with a drug that wasn't licensed for use in humans - depo provera.

Less than 12 months later he dropped down dead from a supposed heart attack. I will never know whether that had something to do with it or not but at the time i had no choice.

Its not something I would consider again in a hurry. But maybe that's just me. And it would depend on the circumstances.

It may be a different depo provera but I used to be injected with one by the same name for my contraception. I’m pretty sure it is licensed for human use.

 

[Nasicus]

It may be a different depo provera but I used to be injected with one by the same name for my contraception. I’m pretty sure it is licensed for human use.

Same one AFAIK! Been having the butt jab for 10+ years now, not dead yet