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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Dermatol / The properties and use of penicillins in the veterinary fiel...
Veterinary dermatology1999; 10(3); 177-186; doi: 10.1046/j.1365-3164.1999.00186.x

The properties and use of penicillins in the veterinary field, with special reference to skin infections in dogs and cats.

Abstract: The use of the penicillins in veterinary dermatology is discussed. An outline is provided of the main penicillins used in the veterinary field. These include benzyl penicillin, penicillin V, ampicillin, amoxycillin, co-amoxiclav and oxacillin. An increase in β-lactamase production among strains of Staphylococcus intermedius, the principal canine pathogen in pyoderma, has been seen in recent years. Thus only those penicillins with resistance to β-lactamase (co-amoxiclav or isoxazolyl penicillins) are likely to be of value in treating canine pyoderma. However, feline, porcine and equine staphylococcal dermatoses, and other veterinary dermatoses such as the actinomycoses, dermatophilosis and erysipelothrix, usually respond well to most penicillins, whether or not they resist β-lactamase.
Blackwell Science Ltd.
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Publication Date: 1999-09-01 PubMed ID: 34644914DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-3164.1999.00186.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article discusses the various types of penicillins used in veterinary dermatology, particularly in treating skin infections in dogs and cats. It highlights the rise in β-lactamase production among specific bacterial strains, which impacts the utility of certain penicillins in treating canine skin infections.

Types of Penicillins Used in Veterinary Field

  • The article first introduces the types of penicillins commonly used in veterinary medicine. This includes benzyl penicillin, penicillin V, ampicillin, amoxycillin, co-amoxiclav, and oxacillin.
  • These types of penicillin are antibiotics that veterinarians use to treat various infections in animals, including skin infections.

Increase in β-Lactamase Production

  • The research goes on to explain an observed increase in β-lactamase production among strains of Staphylococcus intermedius.
  • Staphylococcus intermedius is identified as the main canine pathogen in pyoderma, a type of skin infection common in dogs.
  • The increase in β-lactamase production is significant because β-lactamase is an enzyme that can inactivate penicillin, rendering it ineffective as a treatment.

Effective Treatment for Canine Pyoderma

  • In light of the increase in β-lactamase production, the article suggests that only penicillins resistant to β-lactamase are likely to be of value in treating canine pyoderma.
  • These include co-amoxiclav or isoxazolyl penicillins. This indicates that not all penicillins are effective in treating all types of infections due to resistance issues.

Responsiveness of Other Veterinary Dermatoses to Penicillins

  • The article ends by explaining that while β-lactamase-resistant penicillins are recommended for treating canine pyoderma, other veterinary dermatoses usually respond well to most penicillins.
  • This applies whether or not the penicillins resist β-lactamase, and it includes infections in cats, pigs, and horses, as well as other diseases such as actinomycoses, dermatophilosis, and erysipelothrix.

Cite This Article

APA
Harvey RG, Hunter PA. (1999). The properties and use of penicillins in the veterinary field, with special reference to skin infections in dogs and cats. Vet Dermatol, 10(3), 177-186. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-3164.1999.00186.x

Publication

Veterinary dermatology
ISSN: 1365-3164
NlmUniqueID: 9426187
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 10
Issue: 3
Pages: 177-186

Researcher Affiliations

Harvey, R G
  • Godiva Referrals, 207 Daventry Road, Cheylesmore, Coventry, West Midlands, CV3 5HH, UK.
Hunter, P A
  • Burnthouse, Burnthouse Lane, Cowfold, Horsham, Sussex, RH13 8DH, UK.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Liu K, Liu J, Su Y, Wang M, Long T, Fang L, Zhou Y, Sun J, Liao X. IncI2 plasmid transfer and changes of intestinal microbiota in mice under β-lactam antibiotic pressure. BMC Vet Res 2025 May 15;21(1):343.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04808-7pubmed: 40375072google scholar: lookup
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