Which medication is frequently used to treat infections in horses?

Penicillin is a common antibiotic used for treating bacterial infections in horses. It is effective against a variety of gram-positive bacteria and is often the first line of defense in treating equine infections such as pneumonia, skin infections, and certain gastrointestinal issues. Given its well-established history and broad-spectrum effectiveness, veterinarians frequently choose penicillin as an initial treatment option due to its efficacy and safety profile in horses.

Other choices, while still important in veterinary medicine, serve different roles. Cephalexin is more commonly used in small animals and is less frequently utilized in equine medicine. Gentamicin, although an effective antibiotic for certain infections, is typically reserved for more severe cases or specific types of bacterial infections due to its potential side effects and more restricted use. Dexamethasone is a corticosteroid, not an antibiotic, and is used to reduce inflammation and manage immune responses rather than directly treat infections. Thus, penicillin stands out as the primary choice for equine infection treatment.