Is it OK to use antibiotic ointment on dogs?

B.N.P. with HC Triple Antibiotic Eye Ointment Rx

What is B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Ointment with HC for Dogs and Cats?

• Cats and dogs can easily pick up bacteria that cause painful, swelling infections in the cornea, the clear part of the eye, or the conjunctiva, the pink parts around the eyelids.
• B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Ointment with HC is a prescription medication that treats bacterial eye infections.
• B.N.P. Ointment with HC contains neomycin, polymixin B, and bacitracin.
• The addition of hydrocortisone to B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Eye Ointment with HC makes this ointment extra effective at reducing swelling due to bacterial eye infections.

Why do cats and dogs use B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Ointment with HC?

• B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Eye Ointment with HC gives your dog or cat fast, effective relief from bacterial eye infections that cause swelling and pain.
• Your pet’s veterinarian may prescribe this ointment if your pet has conjunctivitis, scleritis, keratitis or other infections of the eye that cause swelling and discomfort.

What else should I know about B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Ointment with HC?

• Treats eye infections due to a range of bacteria.
• Reduces swelling and pain.
• Contains hydrocortisone to reduce swelling.
• Store at room temperature, away from moisture and sunlight. Do not use if the ointment changes color or becomes cloudy.

What problems could my dog or cat have with B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Ointment with HC?

• Cats may have a serious allergic reaction to neomycin or polymixin. Contact your veterinarian if you notice any issues after beginning to use the ointment.

How do you use B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Ointment with HC?

• Clean your pet’s eyes gently to remove debris before applying.
• Follow application directions carefully to avoid contamination of the ointment. Keep the cap on when not in use.
• Wait 5 minutes after applying the B.N.P. Ointment with HC before applying any other eye medication.

What is in B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Ointment with HC?

• B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Ointment with HC contains three drugs that kill bacteria. The B is for Bacitracin zinc. The N is for Neomycin. The P is for Polymixin-B.
• HC, or hydrocortisone, is a very effective corticosteroid which helps reduce inflammation and swelling.

Will I get what I see in the picture?

• B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Ointment with HC is sold as an FDA approved generic drug. Brand may vary from order to order and variation to variation. We are unable to guarantee which brand will be available at the time of order shipment.

Is it important for my dog or cat to finish all of the B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Ointment with HC?

• B.N.P. Triple Antibiotic Ointment with HC contains antibiotics. Resistance is a major concern when using antibiotics. To help avoid resistance, it is important for you to use this for as long as your veterinarian has prescribed, even if you dog or cat is looking and feeling better.

Can You Use Antibiotic Ointment on Your Dog? Is Neosporin Safe for Dogs?

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

As you probably know from watching your dog, canines are curious animals that like to explore, and sometimes, their adventures, whether in the home or outside, lead them into trouble. A minor cut or scrape is usually not a cause for alarm, but it’s important to clean the wound immediately and treat it with an antimicrobial ointment to prevent infection. Can you use Neosporin to treat your dog’s cuts? While Neosporin is safe in small amounts, it’s a good idea to contact your vet before applying this ointment.

Neosporin can prevent infection and speed up healing, but one of its ingredients can be harmful to canines. It’s made with three antibiotics: neomycin, bacitracin, and polymyxin B. Bacitracin and polymyxin B. are entirely safe for dogs, and several topical ointments designed for treating dog wounds contain the antibiotics. Intravenous neomycin has been linked to hearing loss in dogs, it has a cumulative effect and your vet may recommend, depending on the animal’s medical history, to use another product without neomycin.

Precautions When Using Neosporin On Your Dog

If your best friend has a deep wound, bite from an animal, or wound covered with pus, do not use Neosporin or any other topical antibiotic. A deep gash needs immediate attention from a veterinarian. Neosporin can help with minor wounds but be sure only to apply the original formula.

Here are some of the other antibiotics made by Neosporin that you should avoid.

The company also makes Neosporin Spray that contains the original formula, and some dog owners prefer it to the cream because it takes less time to absorb. Dogs are also less likely to ingest the antibiotic when you use the spray. If a dog eats Neosporin, it may experience diarrhea, vomiting, or more serious conditions such as kidney problems and hearing loss. Instead of risking a reaction from your pet licking the medication, you can purchase a topical treatment designed for dogs that does not cause adverse reactions if licked. Some of the highest-rated products for treating wounds on Chewy include:

Treating Wounds with Antibiotics

Before using a topical ointment on your pup, you can test a small area of skin to ensure your pet is not allergic to any of the active ingredients. Apply a tiny amount on bare skin and wait 15 to 20 minutes for any signs of a rash or redness. If you do not see a reaction, you can gather supplies to clean and treat the wound. You’ll need clean towels, an antiseptic solution (2% chlorhexidine), a water-based lubricant like KY jelly, electric clippers, and antibiotic ointment. If the wound is located on bare skin, you will not need the trimmers.

1. Ask Family or a Friend to Assist

If your dog is calm during grooming, you may not need assistance, but since you’re dealing with an injury, it helps to have a partner. For wounds buried in thick fur, it’s wise to have someone steady or calm the dog while you use the clippers.

2. Apply the Water-Based Lubricant

Cover the wound and surrounding area with the water-based lubricant. It will reduce contamination and make it less troublesome to remove shaved hair.

3. Shave the Area Near the Wound

Give your dog a treat for standing still, and carefully shave the hair with clippers. You can also use scissors to remove thick hair but be careful not to poke the cut with the tips of the scissors. After trimming, wipe the lubricant and excess hair away with a clean towel.

4. Wash the Area with Water

Ensure that the water is only lukewarm to prevent irritation and wash away the tiny bits of debris and any remaining lubricant. Use a clean towel to dry the wound gently.

5. Apply the Antiseptic Solution

Chlorhexidine 02% solution is an effective and widely available antiseptic, but you can also use Povidone-iodine solution, which means it needs to be diluted before using it to sanitize the wound area.

6. Apply Topical Antibiotic

Use the spray or cream to treat the wound but avoid leaving excess antibiotics on the fur to prevent accidental ingestion. Avoid getting the product in the dog’s eyes or ears and make sure the product does not contain corticoids.

7. Cover the Wound with Gauze

Covering the injury is not essential for healing, but it can keep your dog from licking the wound and eating the antibiotic. Watch your dog for 15 minutes or longer to ensure it does not remove the bandage. After that time, you can remove the gauze and check the wound.

8. Reapply the Antiseptic and Antibiotic

To accelerate healing and prevent infection, you should treat the wound with antiseptic and antibiotics at least two or three times a day. If the injury does not look better after a couple of days, take your pet to the veterinarian.

Alternatives to Commercial Antibiotics

Antibiotics can prevent your pet from contracting an infection from a wound, but some dog lovers prefer natural treatments. However, like any DIY or holistic treatment, you should check with a veterinarian before treating your pup.

Manuka Honey

Organic Manuka honey has antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties, and it’s the active ingredient in the Honey Cure Natural Veterinary Wound Care antibiotic mentioned earlier. Although it helps prevent infections, Manuka honey has not been proven to accelerate the healing process.

Calendula

Calendula is a Mediterranean herb that can cleanse wounds and prevent infection. It also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps with healing.

Healing Clay

Some of the materials known as “healing clays” include Montmorillonite, Illite, Redmond clay, and Bentonite. The clays can inhibit bleeding and scabbing, prevent infections, and stop itching.

Final Thoughts

Treating a small cut or scrape on your dog should not require a veterinarian’s help, but it’s vital to contact the vet if your dog has an adverse reaction to any antibiotic or topical ointment. Neosporin can help heal a dog’s wound and minimize the healing period but requires extra precautions to ensure the cream or spray is not ingested. Although a few licks are not harmful, a more significant amount can cause digestive issues. When you use a medication specifically designed for dogs, you do not have to worry as much about a negative reaction but still need to follow the recommendations.

Featured Image Credit: fetrinka, Shutterstock

• Precautions When Using Neosporin On Your Dog
• Treating Wounds with Antibiotics
  • 1. Ask Family or a Friend to Assist
  • 2. Apply the Water-Based Lubricant
  • 3. Shave the Area Near the Wound
  • 4. Wash the Area with Water
  • 5. Apply the Antiseptic Solution
  • 6. Apply Topical Antibiotic
  • 7. Cover the Wound with Gauze
  • 8. Reapply the Antiseptic and Antibiotic
  • Manuka Honey
  • Calendula
  • Healing Clay