Final answer:
The veterinarian's prescription for cephalexin requires the patient's owner to give one 250 mg capsule by mouth twice a day after meals for 10 days. This ensures effective treatment of the infection and reduces the risk of developing drug-resistant bacteria.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a veterinarian prescribes cephalexin 250 mg to be taken p.o. BID PC for 10 days, it means the medication should be administered by mouth (p.o.) twice a day (BID), with each dose taken after meals (PC). The prescription specifies the use of 250 mg capsules, and since this is the dosage per administration, the patient's owner would not need to divide or alter the capsules. This regimen is intended to ensure that optimal therapeutic levels are reached in the body to combat the infection, without incurring significant toxicity or side effects.
It's crucial that the patient's owner understands the importance of administering the full course of the antibiotic to avoid the development of drug-resistant bacteria, as partially treated infections can lead to such resistance. Hence, the patient should receive every dose as instructed for the entire 10 days, even if the symptoms of the illness improve before the medication course is complete.