When you notice something that something might be wrong with your dog's health, it's essential to go to the vet as soon as possible so that they can conduct an examination and determine what it is that is affecting your pet's well-being.
These worrying situations might come down to mild conditions that have a positive prognosis. However, it may also be necessary to follow a pharmacological treatment in order to ensure your dog's optimal and complete recovery.
It's important for the owner to know the treatment program that their pet is following, so that they are aware of the problems and effects that may arise from it. Therefore, in this AnimalWised article we will tell you about the use and side effects of amoxicillin in dogs.
What is amoxicillin?
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that belongs to the penicillin group. Its action is bactericidal, meaning that it destroys bacteria instead of preventing their reproduction.
It is considered to be a broad-spectrum antibiotic, since it is effective against a wide range of bacteria. Furthermore, its action is further enhanced when amoxicillin is connected to clavulanic acid.
Clavulanic acid does not have antibiotic action on its own, but it is capable of inhibiting beta-lactamase, an enzyme secreted by some bacteria, and consequently inactivate certain types of antibiotics. Therefore, when amoxicillin is administered alongside clavulanic acid, it has greater action against bacteria.
Uses of amoxicillin in dogs
Amoxicillin is an antibiotic used by humans, and it's also approved for use in the veterinary field. As such, it is often prescribed for cats and dogs.
It's quite possible that the vet prescribes amoxicillin to your dog in the following cases:
- Respiratory tract infections
- Bacterial complications of viral diseases
- Local infections such as abscesses
- Infectious diseases of the genitourinary tract
- Infectious diseases of the digestive system
Side effects of amoxicillin in dogs
You might have wondered whether you can give antibiotics to your dog, and the truth is that they should never be given unless prescribed by a vet. In that case, despite amoxicillin being a safe antibiotic, it can interact with other drugs and cause the following side effects:
- Hypersensitivity: Rashes, fever, breathing difficulties
- Gastrointestinal discomfort: Vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite
- Imbalances in the intestinal flora
- Increased heart rate
Therefore, the administration of amoxcillin to dogs is not recommended without the prior consent of a specialist. In order to minimize the risk of suffering these side effects, it is important to follow the treatment exactly how the vet has suggested and, above all, to never cut the administration period short even if there are visible improvements in your dog's health.
This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to Amoxicillin in Dogs - Use and Side Effects, we recommend you visit our Other health problems category.