I don't use antibiotics much on my animals. But when they need it, i don't want to spend more on the vet bill than i did for the animal. Goats get mastitis, pretty had to mistake what it is. The antibiotic i use is pretty inexpensive and effective. I might need it once a year. This meddling is getting ridiculous!not being a vet or such, I would imagine echinacea would work just as well on animals as it does for humans. I haven't taken an 'antibiotic' in years for anything. Echinacea is antibiotic, antimicrobial, and anti viral in nature. I am going to guess that since animal's bodies are much cleaner than our own (less junk food) they would respond very well.. Another is colloidal silver.