If you’ve ever thought of reaching for that handy tube of triple antibiotic cream from your medicine cabinet at the first sign of a cut, scratch, or hot spot on your fur baby… you might want to think again! While topical ointments created for humans certainly have their place in the healing process for us non-furry beings, let’s face it—it’s not the best option for Fido. And not just because antibiotic treatments like these were formulated for humans.
“But wait, I thought antibiotics were okay for my pet?”
While properly prescribed antibiotics may be necessary from time to time, licensed veterinarians, like Dr. Lucas Pantaleon, are becoming increasingly concerned about multidrug resistant bacteria caused by the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. If that sounds like a bunch of unfamiliar veterinarian jargon, let us break it down for you! Here’s why you should opt for natural alternatives, like Silver Honey®, instead of antibiotics next time your pet comes in with a minor cut or scrape…
Big, Bad Bacteria is Getting Stronger
So, you’re cuddling up to your pet, scratching their tummy, when you find a spot that looks red, raw, and sore. Perhaps you notice they’ve been licking and biting it repeatedly. Or maybe they’ve come in from the backyard with a few scratches and scrapes. Regardless of the wound, infection and inflammation are two common factors that delay healing. Superficial bacterial folliculitis—or in layman’s terms, a bacterial infection of your pet’s hair follicles—is the most common form of skin infection in dogs, which often results in the use of antibiotics. But here’s the rub—overuse of antibiotics when not absolutely necessary can cause bacteria to become resistant to treatment, much like in humans.
The last thing you want when trying to get your pet back into tip-top shape is for your treatment to fail because the bacteria has learned how to beat the antibiotic. But don’t fret… vets and pet parents alike are turning to natural alternatives like Silver Honey® for minor wound care, which is completely antibiotic-free and uses only ingredients found in nature (but more on that later).
Antibiotics Might Actually Make the Problem… Worse? Yep.
While antibiotic-resistant bacteria is one of the top concerns of veterinarians, there are other risks to consider, too. It may seem counterintuitive but using topical antibiotics on your pet can result in more problems than you bargained for. From contact dermatitis (a local inflammatory skin condition), to allergic reactions, to harming your pet’s skin biome, there are plenty of reasons to steer clear of unnecessary antibiotic treatment.
So, What’s the Alternative?
Silver Honey® is increasingly being recommended and used by veterinarians in the treatment of minor cuts, scrapes, sores, and rashes. And the best part? It stops 99.9% of bacteria naturally. The combination of MicroSilver BG®, medical-grade Manuka honey, and natural skin-soothing ingredients in Silver Honey® kills bacteria, while offering immediate relief to your pet’s skin. Silver has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects by nature and uses a variety of mechanisms to fight bacteria, making bacterial resistance unlikely. Honey, on the other hand, acts as a natural antiseptic and has been shown to be highly effective in preventing and killing bacteria.
Additionally, if systemic antibiotics are prescribed as an absolutely necessary treatment for your pet, Silver Honey® may be used in tandem to speed up the healing process. As always, make sure to ask your vet before combining treatments!
Learn more about Silver Honey® and its natural power to support your pet’s healing process.
MicroSilver BG® is a registered trademark of Bio-Gate AG
This article is for informational purposes only. Please always discuss any health concerns with your vet.
