According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one or more dogs are thought to be present in 38% of US homes. They are the most loyal friends of humans, and when your dog is suffering from a disease like a bacterial infection, it is painful.
Antibiotics are powerful drugs that fight infections by stopping the growth of bacteria and other pathogens in your pet’s body. Unfortunately, many kinds of bacteria can make your pet sick. This article will explore the different antibiotics available for your dog and help you choose the best one for your pet’s needs.
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in dogs and cats. Amoxicillin is also available for veterinary use as capsules, tablets, or as a suspension. It works by preventing bacteria from multiplying and spreading in the body. It does this by interfering with the bacteria’s ability to produce proteins for cell growth and survival. As a result, it allows your dog to fight off the infection more easily and quickly recover from it if treatment is successful.
Amoxicillin capsules are an excellent option for dogs with respiratory infections, skin infections, or urinary tract infections. You can also use them to treat ear infections in cats and dogs. You may need to give your pet one dose or several doses per day, depending on the severity of their infection. Please consult your veterinarian before administering this medication, so they can determine how much Amoxicillin suits your dog’s needs.
Tetracyclines
Tetracyclines are broad-spectrum antibiotics that work by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria. They are effective against many gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. These include many that cause respiratory infections. Tetracyclines also have anti-inflammatory properties. They may help treat noninfectious conditions such as arthritis and lung disease. These are caused by aspiration pneumonia, hypercalcemia, and renal failure. In dogs, tetracyclines are used to treat:
- Bacterial enteritis (inflammation of the intestines) caused by Escherichia coli or Clostridium perfringens, urinary tract infections.
- Pyogenic bacteria or staphylococci cause generalized infections.
- Skin infections such as infected wounds or abscesses.
- Soft tissue lesions caused by mycoplasmas or chlamydia.
It also helps in treating Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi). According to recent statistics from FAIR Health, Lyme disease cases have significantly grown in the United States. It increased at an alarming rate climbing 357% in rural regions and 65% in urban areas in the previous 15 years up to 2021.
Enrofloxacin
Enrofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in animals. It’s also sometimes prescribed for dogs, cats, and horses. They are used for conditions like ear or eye infections, pneumonia, and skin infections.
Enrofloxacin belongs to a class of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones. They’re synthetic compounds made from naphthalene dicarboxylic acid with a quinoline ring structure. These medications have been used since 1986, when they were first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Clindamycin
Clindamycin is an oral antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. Specifically, those caused by Escherichia coli and other Gram-negative bacteria. It works by inhibiting protein synthesis, which can lead to cell death. Clindamycin can be used in both adults and puppies, but it may cause an allergic reaction in some people who are sensitive to the drug. Other side effects include diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, abdominal pain, and fever.
On a side note, Clindamycin should not be given to pregnant or nursing dogs unless prescribed by a veterinarian because it could cause harm for both mother and offspring.
Metronidazole
Metronidazole is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in dogs. It can also treat protozoal infections in dogs, such as giardia and trichomonas. You should note that Metronidazole should not be given to dogs with pre-existing liver or kidney disease. Like most medications, you must follow your veterinarian’s dosage instructions to use Metronidazole properly. Side effects from this medication include vomiting and diarrhea. However, these side effects are rare when administered by trained professionals under close supervision of the animal’s guardians.
Tylosin Tartrate
Tylosin is an antibiotic that is used to treat infections caused by bacteria. It can be prescribed to humans or animals, and in dogs, it’s most often used to treat bacterial skin infections. A veterinarian may administer this medication if your pet has an infection in the dog’s mouth or nose.
Tylosin tartrate should not be given to cats because they lack the enzymes to metabolize it properly and convert it into an active form. Therefore, when cats receive this drug orally, they could get very sick. In addition, Tylosin does not work well against some types of bacteria that cause ear infections in dogs and cats. Therefore, you will need another antibiotic, such as amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium or azithromycin.
Cephalosporins
Cephalosporins are a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can be used to treat a variety of bacterial infections in dogs. They’re typically used to treat skin and soft tissue infections, respiratory tract infections, and urinary tract infections.
Cephalosporins are effective against multiple types of bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). They’re often prescribed when your dog has an infection caused by an unknown source spreading quickly or not responding well to other antibiotics.
Lincomycins
Lincomycin is a good choice for treating certain bacterial infections in dogs, cats, and humans. In horses, it’s the drug of choice for many colitis types and colon inflammation.
Lincomycin comes in two forms: capsules and injections. The capsule form is taken by mouth, while the injectable form is given in a vein or muscle tissue. The injection must be refrigerated to prevent bacteria from growing in it. However, it is generally safe enough for your pet if you’re careful about which dose to give them based on weight and age.
Clavamox
Clavamox is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. It’s a penicillin derivative which means you can use it to treat both acute and chronic bacterial infections. For example, Clavamox is often used in dogs to treat bacterial skin infections, periodontal disease, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
If your dog has an acute respiratory infection (ARI), such as kennel cough or bronchitis, you should consider treating him with Clavamox before trying other antibiotics. Clavamox may not work well on its own in some cases where clavulanate-resistant bacteria are present. However, other antibiotics like aminoglycoside, tetracycline, and doxycycline may also help clear up the infection faster.
Gentamicin Sulfate
Gentamicin sulfate is an antibiotic that belongs to a class of drugs called aminoglycosides. This drug has been used to treat bacterial infections in dogs, and it comes from the same family as amikacin and tobramycin.
Gentamicin sulfate is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can be used for several types of infections, including:
- Skin infections like bacterial dermatitis (hot spots) and furunculosis (boils).
- Respiratory tract infections like pneumonia and bronchitis.
- Urinary tract infections include cystitis or urethritis (bladder or urinary tract inflammation).
There are a variety of Antibiotics You Can Use for Your Dog.
Around 69 percent of the canines are scheduled for a regular checkup. You should take your dogs to visit the veterinarian regularly, typically two to three times a year. There are a variety of antibiotics you can use for your dog after consulting with a doctor. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections but are ineffective against viral infections. In addition, antibiotic resistance is a growing problem affecting humans and animals. It occurs when bacteria change so that they no longer respond to the antibiotic you have used to treat them. It can lead to more severe bacterial infections and increased care costs for your pet’s illness. Therefore, you must always consult your veterinarian before giving antibiotics to your dog.