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It could be even more complicated. A couple of pages I came across suggest that the immune system should be up to snuff if taking Doxycycline. I don't know much about these sources though, so take it with a grain of salt. From: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_vibramycin.html Doxycycline does not kill bacteria, it merely curtails their ability to reproduce. For the invading bacteria to be killed, the host's immune system must be active and effective. This may not be the best choice medication for immune compromised patients. From: http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Oasis/6455/doxy-amox.txt I think this relates to lyme disease in humans, but should apply here. Doxycycline prevents the bacteria from reproducing but does not directly kill the bacteria - it weakens them and they die or are killed by the immune system. This is what is referred to as bacteriostatic action and is dependent on a well functioning immune system. But if the immune system has been adversely affected by the disease or antibiotics, then it might not be able to cope with the bacteria. On the other hand, amoxicillin, a penicillin, is bactericidal, meaning that it directly kills the bacteria, and does so while they are dividing (replicating). This may be the reason that amoxicillin has worked so well for me - it does not depend on a fully functioning immune system. Then from: http://www.vetmedonline.com/Pharmacy.html Baytril has poor activity against anaerobic type bacteria. Resistance can occur so culturing the lesion or infected fluid is important. Is Hemobatonellosis anaerobic? I'll have to find out more about this. Here's prescribing info from Doxycycline.com: http://www.doxycycline.com/prescribing.htm They don�t' mention anything about the immune system needing to be good. Then again I'm not sure who these people are - not the manufacturer.
This stuff is maddening, isn't it? I'll ask my vet tomorrow why he chose Baytril. Also it appears that iron and other minerals might interfere with absorption of both Doxycycline and Baytril.
From: http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_enrofloxacin.html Medications or supplements containing iron, zinc, magnesium or aluminum will bind enrofloxacin and prevent absorption into the body. Such medications should be separated from enrofloxacin (Baytril) by at least two hours.
and http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_vibramycin.html Antacids commonly contain calcium, which binds Doxycycline in the GI tract. If these medications are used together, neither may be absorbed properly and the benefits of both are lost. Iron containing vitamin supplements produce the same problem. (Iron supplements are often used concurrently with Doxycycline to treat "Feline Infectious Anemia.� Administration of these two medications should be separated by a couple of hours.)
So I think I'll do the Pet Tinc separately - if at all. Unless I can get enough of it mixed into her food, I'd have to force feed, which might be too traumatic for the added benefit to everything else I'm about to do. Then add the possible antibiotic interference thing. I'll have to weigh this one out. Okay I'll stop now. I don't know why every time I type something, it turns into a novel. Thanks for all the help! -Melbeach
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