Amoxicillin for Dogs

Like humans, dogs too fall prey to various bacterial infections. Amoxicillin is a popular remedy to treat a variety of infections associated with dogs. This prescription drug has been very effective to cure bacterial infections that affect the urinary tract, bladder, skin, and even the respiratory system. Amoxicillin is also useful to speed up the healing of a wound or an injury in dogs. Amoxicillin for dogs works by destroying the bacteria, thereby stopping its growth, to put an end to the infection. Once amoxicillin treatment begins, the dog is likely to recover within 7-10 days. Read more on bacterial infections in dogs.

Amoxicillin for Dogs
Amoxicillin, available at various drug stores, is manufactured in a liquid and tablet form. It can also be administered intravenously. However, if the dog is suffering from digestive health problems, then using the injectable form of amoxicillin would be a better option.

Amoxicillin for Dogs: Ear Infection
A dog afflicted with an ear infection can also be treated with amoxicillin. First, the veterinarian examines the ear to ascertain the severity of the infection and then accordingly prescribes the dosage that needs to be administered, usually twice a day. The antibiotic is not only affordable, but can work wonders to cure these type of dog ear problems, especially those associated with the ear canal. Read more on ear infections in dogs.

Amoxicillin for Dogs: Dosage
The weight of the dog is taken into consideration when deciding the dosage. For the drug to be effective, the prescribed dosage of the medicine is 10-25 mg per kilogram, or 5-10 mg per pound, of body weight. For instance, if the dog is weighing 50 pounds then the recommended dosage would be 250mg, that is given every 12 hours. Whatever dosage, the medicine is given twice daily. However, in case the infection is found to be severe, the medicine may be given 3 times a day.

Amoxicillin for Dogs: Side Effects
Although use of amoxicillin is a safe option, a few side effects may cause discomfort to the canine. Hence, amoxicillin needs to be administered as instructed by the veterinarian to avert the chances of side effects. The following are the noticeable side effects of amoxicillin, observed in dogs:

Stomach Problems: Amoxicillin for dogs may cause a stomach upset. This stomach trouble causes pain that may subside within a few days and is not a cause for an great concern. If this continues for more than a few day, reporting the problem to the vet is recommended. Read more upset stomach in dogs.

Vomiting: This is yet another side effect of amoxicillin, noticed in dogs after the medicine is ingested. In case vomiting persists or worsens, then it is necessary to contact a veterinarian to prevent further deterioration of the dog's health.

Diarrhea: The drug can interfere with the normal functioning of bowel movement. Dogs taking amoxicillin may excrete watery or loose stools. However, this side effect will not continue for long once plain yogurt is included in the dog's diet. Read more on food for dogs with diarrhea.

Loss of Appetite: In case amoxicillin causes diarrhea or an upset stomach, it is bound to interfere with the dog's appetite. The dog may eat very less food throughout the day due to stomach problems.

Serious Side Effects of Amoxicillin in Dogs
Serious side effects associated with amoxicillin are a rarity. The dogs generally respond quite well to amoxicillin. Seizures, blood in stools, and chronic diarrhea observed in dogs, during the treatment, are a cause for concern. Other serious side effects include:

Allergic Reactions: A very small percentage of dogs taking these drugs develop allergic reactions that can have a severe impact on physical as well as mental dog health. Signs of an allergic reaction observed in dogs include skin rashes, fever, swollen face or legs. Other symptoms include difficulty in breathing and abnormal heartbeat. In such cases, the drug needs to be stopped immediately. Read more on dog allergies.

The following topics provide information about diseases associated with dogs:

• Dog Illnesses
• Dog Health Problems

An important point to note is that amoxicillin is unsafe for pregnant dogs, as studies reveal that the drug can bring about birth defects in the new born. Also, instead of separately giving the drug, one can mix it with food to reduce the risk of side effects. This could actually prevent any adverse reaction to amoxicillin. In most cases, side effects of amoxicillin for dogs can be controlled by simply decreasing the dosage.