7 Antibiotics Often Used To Treat Infections In Dogs

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It is quite common for dogs to suffer from bacterial infections and diseases. For common bacterial illnesses, the treatment usually involves bacteriostatic antibiotics or bactericidal antibiotics depending on the condition. The bacteriostatic antibiotics inhibit the growth of bacteria to multiply through prevention, while the bactericidal antibiotics kill the bacteria. These antibiotics are available in capsules, chewable tablets, ointments, and liquids, and it is important for you as a dog owner to be informed about these antibiotics and how they can affect your pet.

Learning More About Antibiotics For Dogs

While over the counter antibiotics are usually safe on dogs, it is still best that a sick dog is seen by a vet to determine the best treatment to be given because each dog is different and every health condition is also different. Dogs can develop allergic reactions to antibiotics so caution is always needed especially to avoid an overdose.

1. Amoxicillin And Cephalexin

These are common antibiotics used for bacteria related illnesses and are related to penicillin. Amoxicillin is used to treat the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary systems of dogs, as well as skin infections. The typical dosage for amoxicillin is 10mg for every pound of body weight every 8 to 12 hours. Cephalexin is used to treat various infections, but it is primarily used to treat wound, skin, and bone infections. The dosage for cephalexin is 10mg to 15mg per every pound of body weight for every 8 to 12 hours. However, due to the possible effects of cephalexin, a prescription from a vet is necessary.

2. Sulfamethox

This antibiotic is strictly used for various infections as well as urinary tract infections in dogs. However, it is important that plenty of water is drunk when this is taken and side effects include nausea, loss of appetite, vomiting, and diarrhea.

3. Gentamicin

Pneumonia, ear infections, and eye infections can be treated with this antibiotic alone or with a combination of anti-inflammatory medication. This is available in tablets as well as a topical spray.

4. Chloramphenicol

This antibiotic contains a certain level of pH that can go through a dog’s body completely to treat bacteria and parasite infections. It can also enter the organs of a dog to battle infections making it a popular antibiotic.

5. Sulfadimethoxine

Also known as sulfa drugs, this antibiotic is specifically used to treat parasitic infections that cause gastrointestinal conditions in dogs.

6. Tetracycline

Protection against a variety of bacterial infections can be derived from tetracycline as it does not allow proteins to synthesize. However, infections are easily treated with this antibiotic because it has the ability to break through barriers that hinder treatments of infections.

7. Doxycycline

This is similar to tetracycline and it is also used in a variety of infections to prevent growth and production.

Allergic Reactions To Antibiotics

Allergic reactions can occur and depend on the type of antibiotic taken, as well as its dosage. Most of the time, the symptoms of allergic reactions occur within 24 hours, but they often last for a few hours after treatment is sought. The common reactions include breathing difficulty, painful rashes, itchiness, coughing, nausea, unable to eat, and swelling. In severe cases of allergic reactions, dogs can experience anaphylactic shock which requires immediate medical attention.

Valerie Lawrence is a freelance writer specializing in animal health and nutrition. She also offers information about the various medications given to dogs and she also recommends a vet clinic for any type of health concern in pets.

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16 thoughts on “7 Antibiotics Often Used To Treat Infections In Dogs

  1. Curious

    Is the amount listed for Keflex correct? Doesn’t seem right that a 140lb dog would be taking 1400 to 2100mg twice daily. That sounds like it would kill the animal. I know dogs are different that humans but 500mg twice daily is a high dose for humans and the amount listed for dogs is 4 times that.

    Reply
        1. Diane W Post author

          Good to know. Im not familiar with fish but it makes sense – a broad spectrum antibiotic would work on a wide variety of bacterial infections regardless of the type of animal. I didn’t know it was available OTC for fish.

          Reply
  2. Serina Samples

    I would research weither or not there is a max dosage. This question is a month old and I would be very curious to know what the answer turned out to be.

    Reply
    1. Diane W Post author

      Do you mean Bactrim? If so, it is a combo of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. I have had my primary care doctor prescribe it for my human UTI’s. As for pets, it is effective against a wide array of bacterial infections.

      Reply
  3. Mar Walther

    My dog is constantly itching ears you can hear they have a lot of liquid in them what antibiotic would work bes

    Reply
  4. john padelsky

    my daughter has five dogs and they keep getting into small fights and something a little more ..and one might get a hole from a tooth bite .. where can i get meds to keep infection down and so it will heal better ?? i do not have the cash flow to take them to a vet everytime ..thank you for any help you can give me

    Reply
    1. Diane W Post author

      I would see if one of the vets in your area can work out a payment plan with you and your daughter. Without seeing the dogs, I don’t think they will prescribe any antibiotics.

      Reply
  5. Heidi Müller

    Hi. My dog dachshund suffers from skin infection and I admit Cephalexin 250 mg every 12 hours. This now for 6 weeks. How long I should continue this treatment? I gave him Itraconazole 100 mg every 24 hous for 4 weeks. This I now stopped. Would you do the pulse treatment 1 week on / 1 week off or what you think is best? Unfortunately vets in Sri Lanka cant do proper testing for dogs. They one time made a scotch test which gave result of fungal. But they could not say what kind. Besides he has a infection of bacteria which is now under good control with Cephalexin. I guess this was a pyoderma. Hair is now again growing but I am worried to stop Cephalexin too early. Thanks for your kind response. Heidi

    Reply

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