Common Types of Antibiotics for Dogs

Humans are not the only ones that require antibiotic intervention from time to time. Dogs can develop challenging infections just like people, leading to the need for veterinary care and medicine. Antibiotics can be lifesaving for our furry friends. There is a list of antibiotics that vets rely on most often!

We want to help you better understand the most common types of antibiotics used in dogs. Let’s break down everything you need to know. We will discuss why dogs need antibiotics, as well as the eight most common prescribed antibiotics in the veterinary setting.

Why Would a Dog Need Antibiotics?

Before we dive into the most common antibiotics, we should first discuss why a dog might need antibiotics in the first place. Dogs can develop an array of infections that require the help of antibiotics. These can range from minor issues to life-threating complications.

Some of the most common reasons why dogs need antibiotics include:

• Urinary tract infections
• Ear infections
• Skin infections
• Infected wounds
• Dental infections
• Systemic or blood infections
• Respiratory infections
• Post-surgical reasons

Antibiotics are for our furry friends, and many pups will need to be on them at some point in their life.

Do Dogs Take Human Antibiotics?

Many of the antibiotics in the veterinary field are common in human medicine as well. For example, veterinary companies will formulate human antibiotics to better suit a dog’s size. Though they are the same medication, vet professionals tailor them to serve a canine weight range.

Possible Side Effects of Antibiotics in Dogs

Though antibiotics might be necessary for dogs in many cases, they can lead to side effects in some canine friends. This stands true with antibiotic use in humans as well, but it’s often a necessary evil. Antibiotic side effects can lead to uncomfortable complications. However, the side effects are typically less severe than the result of not taking them at all.

Some of the most common antibiotic side effects seen in dogs include:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Drooling
• Loss of appetite

The above side effects are often due to the antibiotics being too harsh on a dog’s stomach. They may also be due to the medication altering the bacteria that lives within the GI tract. In most situations, giving your dog the antibiotics on a full stomach will prevent this. You can also give your dog probiotics after he completes his antibiotics, as this can help to restore gut health.

Now that you know why dogs need antibiotics from time to time, let’s list some of the most common medications that vets prescribe! Ranging from gastrointestinal antibiotics to ear antibiotics, let’s cover it all.

Never give your dog any of the below medications without your vet’s guidance. These should only be given when your vet directs you to do so.

Metronidazole

Metronidazole is a nitroimidazole antimicrobial antibiotic that treats diarrhea in dogs, as well as some protozoal infections (giardia). This is often the first line of defense for diarrhea, and vets may even prescribe it alongside GI probiotics. It has minimal side effects when given correctly. However, it can lead to neurological symptoms if your dog accidently takes too much. It comes in both pill and liquid form based on dosing.

Clavamox

Clavamox (of the penicillin family) is a common veterinary antibiotic that treats many different infections. It is a combination of both amoxicillin trihydrate and clavulanate potassium. It often tackles infections that are a bit more severe. Clavamox is often prescribed to dogs with painful skin infections, ear infections, urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, dental infections, infected wounds, and as a preventative measure after surgery. It comes in both pill and liquid form based on dosing.

Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin (of the penicillin family) is one of the most common medicines around, and it has a place in veterinary medicine as well. It treats a variety of infections in dogs, but it most often treats skin, urinary, and respiratory infections. Though it typically has minimal side effects, it has caused diarrhea in some furry friends. It comes in both pill and liquid form based on dosing.

Doxycycline

Doxycycline (of the tetracycline family) is one of the more unique antibiotics on the list. It is the only medication that combats blood parasites. In dogs, it is often prescribed to treat tickborne diseases like anaplasma and erlichia, as well as mosquito borne illness like heartworm disease. It can also treat more complicated issues like dental infections and lung infections. But in this case, it will typically be used alongside other medications. While doxycycline is effective, it is very harsh on the stomach. You must always give doxycycline with food, or else it can lead to serious GI upset. Doxycycline most often comes in pill form.

Enrofloxacin

Enrofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that is highly effective in treating a variety of infections in dogs. It has been used to treat complications ranging from dog fight wounds to severe ear infections. Though it is effective, it should not be used in dehydrated pets because it can be harsh on the kidneys. Most dogs tolerate this antibiotic well, as long as dehydration, kidney disease, and liver disease are not at play. This medication comes in both pill and liquid form.

Cephalexin

Cephalexin is a cephalosporin antibiotic that commonly treats skin infections in dogs. It can also treat minor ear and urinary infections as well. Dogs tolerate cephalexin well, but it can lead to diarrhea in some furry friends. It is most commonly prescribed in pill form.

Gentamycin Combinations

Gentamycin is the main ingredient in many ear related antibiotics. The other ingredients in these ear solutions include antifungal agents and steroids. They combine to tackle each aspect of a painful ear infection. These ear solutions range from being applied once total to once daily. Your veterinarian will describe the dosing details of your pet’s ear solution when prescribed.

Convenia

Convenia is different from the other antibiotics on this list because it is a long acting, injectable antibiotic. It is cefovecin from the cephalosporin family, and it can be used to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. It is mostly reserved for furry friends that are difficult to medicate, as these antibiotic injections last for 14 days.

Final Thoughts

There are many different types of antibiotics that your vet may prescribe to your beloved companion. Your vet will choose the appropriate medication based on current condition, and offer you detailed instructions on how to administer it to your pup.

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