COMMON ANTIMICROBIAL THERAPIES IN VETERINARY MEDICINE FOR THE CANINE.

 

The following is a general list of the more commonly used antibiotics for canine medical conditions. The author has arranged the list based on general disease categories and, with in those, listed drugs from the “first choice” to the “big guns”.  First choice drugs will refer to the antibiotics that are generally, most cost effective, effective against the most likely bacteria causing the disease, and have the least amount of side effects.  Big gun drugs will refer to the antibiotics that are generally, more expensive, effective against the extremely resistant types of bacteria causing the disease, and  may have more side effects.  A veterinarian generally will not reach for a “big gun” antibiotic for a first time urinary tract infection. However, if it is a reoccurring urinary infection, at some point, a big gun antibiotic will be used (or if a culture and sensitivity test proves a “big gun” is needed). In the ideal world, all infections would be first cultured to ensure the appropriate drug therapy is used. However, we as veterinarians often chose the therapy based on the most likely cause, and cultures may take up to 3 weeks+ before results are obtained. Making an animal and the owner wait for weeks before beginning treatment is not a reasonable plan of action.

Antibiotics will be listed by generic names, then trade name (not all inclusive), and general dose.(NOT AN ALL INCLUSIVE LIST)

 

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s)

Amoxicillin                                             AmoxiTabs/AmoxiDrops       5-10 mg/pound 2 times daily X 21 days

Sulfadiazine/Trimethoprim** SDZ/TMP, Tribrissen             15-30 mg/ Kg 2 times daily X 21 days

Cephalexin                                              Keflex                                     15-30 mg/Kg 2-3 times daily X 21 days

Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid                   Clavamox                                13.75 mg/Kg 2 times daily X 21 days

Ciprofloxacin*                                        Cipro*                                     5-15 mg/Kg 2 times daily  X 21 days

Enrofloxacin*                                          Baytril*                                   5-20 mg/Kg daily, divided 2 doses X 21 days

 

Skin Infections (Pyodermatitis, wounds,lacerations,anal glands,acne) and Ear infections (Otitis Externa)

Cephalexin                                              Keflex                                     15-30 mg/Kg 2-3 times daily X 14-21 days

Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid                   Clavamox                                13.75 mg/Kg 2 times daily X 14-21 days

Oxacillin                                                  Bactocill/Prostaphlin               10-20 mg/Kg 4 times daily X 14-21 days

Ciprofloxacin*                                        Cipro*                                     5-15 mg/Kg 2 times daily X 14-21 days

Enrofloxacin*                                          Baytril*                                   5-20 mg/Kg  daily, divided 2 doses X 14-21days

 

Bacterial Gastroenteritis (The Screaming Sh*ts)

Metronidazole                                         Flagyl                                      25 mg/Kg 2 times daily X 3-5 days

Fenbendazole                                          Panacur                                   50 mg/Kg once daily X 3 days

Metro and Amoxi-use together                                                              

                Metronidazole                         Flagyl                                      25 mg/Kg 2 times daily X 5 days

                Amoxicillin                             Amoxi                                     5-10 mg/pound 2 times daily X 7 days

 

Vaginitis

Amoxicillin                                             Amoxi                                     5-10 mg/pound 2 times daily X 10 days

Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid                   Clavamox                                13.75 mg/Kg 2 times daily for X 10days

 

OPEN Pyometra

Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid                   Clavamox                                13.75 mg/Kg 2 times daily X 14 days

Ciprofloxacin*                                        Cipro*                                     5-15 mg/Kg 2 times daily X 14 days

Enrofloxacin*                                          Baytril*                                   5-20 mg/Kg daily, divided 2 doses X 14 days

 

Prostatitis

Ciprofloxacin*                                        Cipro*                                     5-10 mg/Kg 2 times daily for 21 days

Enrofloxacin*                                          Baytril*                                   5-20 mg/Kg daily, divided 2 doses X 21 days

 

Infectious Bronchiotracheitis (Kennel Cough)

Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid                   Clavamox                                13.75 mg/Kg 2 times daily X 10-14 days

Doxycycline#                                          Doxy Caps/Vibramycin#        5 mg/Kg 2 times daily X 10-14 days

 

ORAL INFECTIONS/PERIODONTITIS

Amoxicillin/Clavulanic Acid                   Clavamox                                13.75 mg/Kg 2 times daily X 14 days

Doxycycline#                                          Doxy Caps/Vibramycin#        5 mg/Kg 2 times daily X 14 days

Clinamycin                                              Antirobe                                  5-10 mg/Kg 2 times daily for 14 days

 

* DO NOT USE IN PUPS LESS THAN  1 YEAR OLD,  OR PREGNANT / LACTATING BITCHES

** MAY CAUSE KCS ( DRY EYE) , ESPECIALLY IN DOBERMANS.

# DO NOT USE IN YOUNG ANIMALS OR PREGNANT BITCHES ( FETAL SKELETAL /TEETH ISSUES)