Rational empirical antimicrobial therapy in small animals (also introduction to case study: management of infectious disease in a dog)

摘要

Empirical therapy implies the use of medicaments without the knowledge of the specific diagnosis. With first-time infections or serious life-threatening infections, it often is necessary to decide on therapy without the benefit of culture and sensitivity information. In these situations, one must "play the odds" and use knowledge of likely microorganisms affecting the infected or at-risk organ system. The following discussion is designed to provide guidelines for the rational choice of antimicrobials when faced with the need to treat an infection without the results of culture and sensitivity data.