Antimicrobials

Question 1

aminoglycosides

Answer 1

Examples:

• gentamicin
• amikacin
• neomycin
• tobramycin

*poorly absorbed in GIT
-usually parenterally except neomycin
(PO or rectally for gut sterilisation)
-nephrotoxic and ototoxic (ear)
-monitor renal values and hydration maintained

Question 2

Cephalosporins and Penicillins

Answer 2

• very few effects
• tolerated well by most patients
• GI flora alteration (side effect)
• immunological effects
• hemolytic anaemia
• neutropenia
• thrombocytopenia

Question 3

Tetracyclines

Answer 3

• Examples
• Chloretracycline
• doxycycline
• oxytetracycline
• tetracycline
• useful in tx of:
• mycoplasma
• rickettsia
• spirochete infections
• renal and cardiac toxicity reported
• must dilute when given IV and slow IV
• monitor for cardiovascular collapse and renal impairment
• young animals = discolouration of bones and teeth and may delay bone growth

Question 4

Fluoroquinolones

Answer 4

*Examples:
Enrofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin
Marbofloxacin
Orbifloxacin 

• Rapidly absorbed and excreted by the kidneys
• GI and CNS signs
• mild
• resolves when therapy discontinued
• Arthropathy
• common reported side effect in young animals
• should be avoided in them
• Retinal blindness in cats
• lower dose
• Contraindictaed in hepatic and renal patients

Question 5

Sulfonamides

Answer 5

*Examples:
Sulfadiazine/trimethoprim
Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim
Sulfadimethoxine

• Side effects:
• renal
• coagulopathies
• aplastic
• autoimmune anemias
• skin lesions
• hepatic necrosis
• unpopular drug of choice
• resistance
• cats have minimal capacity to metabolise this drugs

Question 6

Metronidazole

Answer 6

• antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent
• some anti-inflammatory properties
• activity against most obligate anaerobes
• used to tx bacterial GI dz and prevent bacterial translocation
• some actions on cell-mediated immunity
• good for tx of diarrhoea
• PO and IV
• Adverse effects:
• neurological disorder
• hepatotoxicity
• vomiting and diarrhoea
• May prolong clotting times for patients on warfarin therapy
• Phenobarbital will increase metabolism of metronidazole
• Cimetidine (GI protectant, histamine antagonist) will decrease metabolism