 A 'culture and sensitivity' is the name given to the laboratory testing of a sample to determine:
- Exactly which organism (e.g., type of bacteria, yeast) is causing the problem.
- The best medication to use to kill that organism.
That may not sound like much, but remember that 90% of the time, when your physician or veterinarian prescribes a medication for an infection, he or she probably knows the answer to neither question. Choosing an antibiotic without a culture and sensitivity is a hit-or-miss affair. With experience, many veterinarians can choose a medication that will work, but sometimes, they will 'miss,' and a culture and sensitivity is the only way to get the right treatment.
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