Blood Culture & Sensitivity: Precision Antibiotic Therapy
When a pet suffers from a severe, persistent, or systemic infection, guessing which antibiotic will work is a risk we cannot afford to take. At Animal Medical Centre, our Blood Culture & Sensitivity (C&S) test is the gold standard for identifying the exact bacteria or fungi causing an illness. This advanced diagnostic is crucial for pets with "fever of unknown origin," suspected Sepsis (blood poisoning), or infections that have failed to respond to standard treatments. By isolating the pathogen directly from the bloodstream, we move beyond "broad-spectrum" guessing and toward "laser-focused" medical intervention.
The process begins with the Culture phase, where a blood sample is placed in a specialized growth medium and incubated. If microorganisms are present, they multiply until they can be identified under a microscope. Once the specific culprit is found, we proceed to the Sensitivity phase. We expose the isolated bacteria to a variety of different antibiotics to see which ones effectively kill it and which ones the bacteria have developed resistance to. This ensures that the medication we prescribe is 100% effective, preventing the dangerous waste of time and money associated with ineffective drugs. This test is a powerful weapon against the global rise of antibiotic resistance. By using C&S, we ensure your pet receives the right dose of the right drug, significantly reducing the risk of side effects and ensuring a much faster recovery. In critical cases like heart valve infections (Endocarditis) or bone infections (Discospondylitis), this precision is often what saves a pet's life. At our in-house laboratory, we handle these samples with extreme care, following strict aseptic protocols to provide the reliable, scientific answers your pet deserves.
One of the most important aspects of Blood Culture & Sensitivity is its role in Antimicrobial Stewardship. In the past, many infections were treated with general antibiotics that are now becoming less effective due to over-use. By identifying the specific "susceptibility profile" of your pet's infection, we can often use more targeted, narrower-spectrum drugs that are safer for your pet’s internal organs while still being highly lethal to the bacteria. We provide a detailed report categorized into three results: Susceptible (the drug works), Intermediate (it might work at high doses), and Resistant (the drug will fail). This clarity gives you peace of mind, knowing that every pill or injection your pet receives is a step toward a guaranteed cure. Whether your pet is facing a complex chronic issue or a sudden life-threatening emergency, our C&S services ensure that science is on your side, protecting your pet from the ground up.
