Medicine

Tobramycin for Dogs - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Josie F. Turner
By Josie F. Turner, Journalist specialized in Animal Welfare. Updated: July 23, 2024
Tobramycin for Dogs - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects
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Tobramycin is an antibiotic drug which is a type of aminoglycoside. This means it contains amino acids as part of its structure. It is sold under various brand names, with Tobrex being one of the most common. While is is both a broad-spectrum antibiotic and on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, it's main use in dogs is to treat ophthalmic infections. For this reason, it is most commonly administered to dogs as an eye drop.

At AnimalWised, we better understand tobramycin for dogs. We look at the uses, dosage and side effects of the antibiotic, as well as the possible contraindications of Tobrex.

Contents
  1. What is tobramycin?
  2. What is tobramycin used for in dogs?
  3. Uses of tobramycin for dogs
  4. Dosage of tobramycin for dogs
  5. Side effects of tobramycin for dogs
  6. Contraindications of tobramycin for dogs

What is tobramycin?

As stated in the introduction, tobramycin is a type of aminoglycoside antibiotic. Being aminoglycoside, it is a Gram-negative antibacterial medications that inhibit protein synthesis. Aminoglycosides are not able to be absorbed by the gastrointestinal tract. While tobramycin can be given intravenously, it is most commonly used via the ophthalmic route in the form of eye drops.

Tobramycin is a drug which is marketed for human use. However, it is frequently prescribed in veterinary medicine. This is thanks to the use of ‘cascade prescription’. This is when a drug that is not authorized for a specific animal species is prescribed as it can meet therapeutic needs. Although not approved by the FDA for veterinary use, the American Veterinary Medical Association has mentioned its use in animal applications[1].

Tobrex is not the only trade name of drugs which have tobramycin as the active ingredient. Others include Nebcin, Tobi and Tobradex. The latter is a combination drug which also has dexamethasone, providing an additional anti-inflammatory effect.

What is tobramycin used for in dogs?

Tobrex is used to treat superficial bacterial infections of the eye caused by bacteria sensitive to tobramycin. Tobramycin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic belonging to the aminoglycoside family. It is a bactericidal antibiotic that is effective in treating both infections caused by gram-positive bacteria. Such bacteria include Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., Corynebacterium or Bacillus. It can also treat infections caused by gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Moraxella, E. coli or Proteus.

Can you use tobramycin for dogs without vet prescription?

You should never give your dog human medications without specific instruction from the veterinarian. While it is considered safe, tobramycin is a strong antibiotic and can only be purchased with a prescription. It is not an over-the-counter medication. Tobramycin is only used to treat certain types of bacteria. Even if you know your dog has a bacterial infection, it will require the veterinarian to determine the type and subsequent treatment options.

Uses of tobramycin for dogs

As we mentioned in the previous section, tobramycin is used to treat superficial bacterial infections of the eye. Specifically, it is used as therapy in the following ocular pathologies:

  • Bacterial-type conjunctivitis: generally, bacterial conjunctivitis in dogs are processes secondary to other disorders, such as trauma (due to fights, scratches, etc.), eyelid disorders (such as entropion, ectropion or blepharitis) or other types of conjunctivitis in dogs. Under normal conditions, the eye has a microbiota made up of microorganisms that do not cause any ocular alteration. When an imbalance occurs in the eye's defensive system due to any of the alterations that we have described, bacterial proliferation and overgrowth occurs and leads to infection. The bacterial genera most frequently implicated in canine conjunctivitis are Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, which are sensitive to the action of tobramycin.

  • Other external eye infections: including keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis or blepharitis caused by bacteria sensitive to the action of tobramycin.

  • Corneal ulcers: even if there is no infection with the dog's corneal ulcer, it is important to administer an antibiotic through the eye to prevent possible infections and promote healing. In the case of complicated ulcers, it is essential to establish a specific antibiotic treatment as this shows there is already an infection.

  • Pre and post-surgical prophylaxis: being a broad-spectrum antibiotic, it can also be used to prevent eye infections before and after ophthalmic surgeries. Surgeries can cause ocular bleeding, something you can learn more about with our article on why a dog has blood in their eye.
Tobramycin for Dogs - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects - Uses of tobramycin for dogs

Dosage of tobramycin for dogs

Tobramycin is found in various drugs, but the applications for dogs is usually sold in the following preparations:

  • Eye drops
  • Ointment

In veterinary medicine, tobramycin is generally prescribed in eye drops, since its application is easier. Specifically, the dose of tobramycin eye drops for dogs is as follows:

  • In moderate infections: 1 or 2 drops should be administered to the affected eye every 4-6 hours during the first 24-48 hours. Afterwards, the frequency of application should be reduced according to the response to treatment to a frequency of no less than 2 drops every 8 hours. The treatment should last at least 5 days.

  • In severe ophthalmic infections: 2 drops should be administered to the affected eye every hour until evident improvement is achieved, then continuing with 2 drops every 3 or 4 hours. The treatment should be extended for at least 7 days.

It must be taken into account that both the dose and the frequency of administration that we have indicated are only a reference. The veterinarian who establishes the treatment can adjust the dosage according to the specific medical criteria of the dog.

Tobramycin for Dogs - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects - Dosage of tobramycin for dogs

Side effects of tobramycin for dogs

Systemic absorption of tobramycin after ophthalmic administration is low. In other words, the drug exerts its effect at the ocular level with little passing into the blood and being distributed throughout the body. This means that the side effects associated with the administration of this drug are mainly local:

  • Ocular hyperemia (redness of the ocular conjunctiva)
  • Keratitis
  • Conjunctival edema (fluid build up)
  • Eyelid edema
  • Erythema (redness) of the eyelid
  • Skin disorders such as dermatitis , urticaria, pruritus (itching)

Contraindications of tobramycin for dogs

Although it is a safe drug when applied ophthalmically, there are certain situations in which the administration of Tobrex can be counterproductive. Here we see the main contraindications of tobramycin for dogs:

  • Allergy to tobramycin or to any of the drug's excipients.
  • Viral or fungal infections of the eye.
  • Although the systemic absorption of the drug is low, some animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity associated with the use of tobramycin. For this reason, this drug should only be prescribed in pregnant bitches after a correct risk/benefit assessment.
  • When the animal is receiving systemic treatment with other aminoglycosides (either orally or parenterally), caution is recommended. The joint administration of tobramycin may enhance the appearance of serious adverse effects (such as neurotoxicity, ototoxicity or nephrotoxicity).

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 Tobramycin for Dogs - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects, we recommend you visit our Medicine category.

References

1. AVMA. (n.d.). Antimicrobial use in veterinary practice. Retrieved from:
https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/one-health/antimicrobial-use-and-antimicrobial-resistance/antimicrobial-use-veterinary-practice

Bibliography
  • Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products. Technical sheet: Tobrex 3 mg/ml eye drops in solution. Retrieved from: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/ft/57594/FT_57594.html#4-3-contraindicaciones
  • Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products. Technical sheet: Tobrex ophthalmic ointment 3 mg/g ophthalmic ointment. Retrieved from: https://cima.aemps.es/cima/dochtml/ft/57593/FT_57593.html
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Rod Lahay, RVT
Can this antibiotic also be used just for "allergies "caused by lots of rain and general conditions that we and dogs experience in Spring, with sneezing and runny eyes etc.,? A friend's dog has just been prescribed by the vet - and my friend says the dog has "allergies....(???) I am wondering if she misunderstood and this aminoglycoside antibiotic is really being used for an infection such as conjunctivitis pinkeye), or could it also be used for allergies...????
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Cassandra Tucker
How do dogs get an eye infection
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Tobramycin for Dogs - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects