Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How dexamethasone affects antibiotic treatment for dog eye infections
By Kim, Donghee et al.·Published in Veterinary ophthalmology·2026·College of Veterinary Medicine, South Korea·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Dexamethasone-Antibiotic Interactions in Canine Ocular Bacteria: In Vitro Susceptibility Changes in Common Corneal Infection Pathogens.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with eye infections caused by bacteria were tested to see how the steroid dexamethasone affected the effectiveness of various antibiotics. It was found that dexamethasone increased resistance to some antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and ticarcillin, making them less effective. However, two antibiotics, amikacin and cefazolin, remained effective even when used with dexamethasone, suggesting they are safer choices for treating these infections. This information can help veterinarians choose the best treatment for dogs with bacterial eye problems.
People also search for: dog eye infection treatment · dexamethasone and antibiotics for dogs · antibiotic resistance in dog eye infections
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of dexamethasone on the antibiotic susceptibility of common ocular pathogens in dogs and identify safe antibiotic-steroid combinations for veterinary ophthalmology. METHODS: This study utilized 30 bacterial isolates of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Streptococcus canis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, collected from canine patients with suspected bacterial keratitis. The isolates were tested against 17 antibiotics in the presence of dexamethasone concentrations ranging from 0 to 2 mg/mL. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using standardized broth microdilution techniques, and changes in susceptibility were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: Dexamethasone administration resulted in a significant increase in resistance for ciprofloxacin, ticarcillin, tobramycin, and ceftiofur in S. pseudintermedius; ticarcillin in S. canis; and ciprofloxacin and moxifloxacin in P. aeruginosa. Despite these increases, amikacin and cefazolin showed minimal impact on resistance when combined with dexamethasone, indicating their potential for safe use in combination therapies. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight the potential for dexamethasone to alter antibiotic susceptibility in canine ocular pathogens. While dexamethasone can increase resistance in certain antibiotics, amikacin and cefazolin appear to be safer options for combination therapy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39809709/