Fluoroquinolones In Pets

If you're an animal lover like I am, you want the very best for your pets.

These are mine:

After I became involved with Quinolone Vigilance Foundation, I learned that pets are often prescribed fluoroquinolone antibiotics. As with people, these drugs should never be prescribed as a first line of defense. They cause serious adverse reactions in people and in pets. Common veterinary fluoroquinolones are:

• Advocin, Advocid (danofloxacin)
• Baytril (enrofloxacin)
• Dicural, Vetequinon (difloxacin)
• Floxasol, Saraflox, Sarafin (sarafloxacin)
• Ibaflin (ibafloxacin)
• Marbocy, Zeniquin (marbofloxacin)
• Orbax, Victas (orbifloxacin)
  

They can cause retinal toxicity, Central Nervous System dysfunction which can lead to seizures, tendon problems, cartilage erosion, arthritis, loss of appetite, and gastric problems.



Our pets trust us to make the right decisions for them, and when they are hurting, they can't tell us. It is up to us to protect them. If your pet becomes sick and is in need of an antibiotic, always ask what class of antibiotic it is.



Fluoroquinolones are extremely powerful antibiotics meant for life threatening infections, never meant as a first line of defense. Some fluoroquinolones have been taken off the market due to the powerful side effects. Others come on the market under different names, so it is important that you ask your veterinarian exactly what your pet will be receiving.



Don't assume that your veterinarian is aware of how dangerous fluoroquinolones are. As with physicians for humans, it is up to us to educate them. Luckily, our veterinarian is very aware of how bad fluoroquinolones are. She said “Even I can't tolerate them. I would never prescribe it for an animal”.



Since I became disabled from Levaquin in 2006, my fur babies have helped me deal with the pain and frustration. It's my job to keep them healthy and safe so that what happened to me won't happen to them. Say NO to fluoroquinolones for yourself, and for your pets.


For more information about fluoroquinolones in pets, please visit Lisa Bloomquist's site called FloxiePets.com.


Rachel Brummert
President/Executive Director
Quinolone Vigilance Foundation
www.saferpills.org
rachel@saferpills.org