Dogs are prone to bacterial infections, just like humans. If left untreated, these infections can cause a lot of discomfort and pain to your canine friend. Some infections can also become life-threatening.

Your vet may prescribe antibiotics to help treat infections in your dog. Here, we’ll look at the common antibiotics for dogs and the kind of ailment they treat. But before that,

What Are the Common Infections in Dogs?

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Antibiotics are mainly categorized into two: bactericidal and bacteriostatic. Depending on the type of disease that your dog is suffering from, your vet may prescribe any of these antibiotics.

Bacteriostatic antibiotics are designed to prevent bacteria from growing and reproducing. This way, your dog can have a stronger immune system that will enable them to fight the infection. On the other hand, bactericidal antibiotics work by killing the bacteria.

The two types of antibiotics can help treat your dog from infections and are found in the form of tablets, liquids, capsules, or even topical ointments.

Common infections that can be treated using antibiotics include:

Ear infections
Wound infections
Skin infections
Urinary tract infections
Pneumonia
Respiratory infections
Periodontal disease
Bone and dental infections

Common Antibiotic for Dogs

Cephalexin

Cephalexin antibiotics for dogs can help treat various bacterial infections, including urinary tract and soft tissue infections. Since Cephalexin is a broad spectrum, it is among the most common antibiotics for dogs. It is, however, more effective on skin infections.

Found in both capsule and tablet form, Cephalexin can be given to your dog two to three times a day. For better results, ensure you’re not missing doses.

However, avoid using it if your dog is pregnant or is allergic to other antibiotics. Talk to your vet if your dog is nursing or has a liver or kidney failure.

Amoxicillin

Another common antibiotic for dogs is amoxicillin. Besides being used to treat infections in dogs, amoxicillin is a common antibiotic on humans as well. You can use amoxicillin to treat the urinary tract, respiratory, skin, bladder, ear, and dental infections.

It’s also a broad spectrum, meaning it can treat many bacterial infections. It works by preventing bacteria from forming cell walls, making it easier for them to be attacked by your dog’s immune system. Amoxicillin may, however, cause digestive tract issues in some dogs.

Chloramphenicol

Chloramphenicol is also a household name when it comes to common antibiotics for dogs. It’s also effective against numerous bacterial infections. It can also help treat protozoa as well.

Chloramphenicol is commonly used to treat pneumonia, wounds, skin, bone, intestinal tract, and central nervous system infections. You can also use it to get rid of tick-transmitted diseases.

Sulfamethox

You can also use sulfamethox to treat infections in your canine friend, including urinary tract infections. However, ensure to give your dog plenty of water after giving them this medication.

Common sulfamethox side effects include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Doxycycline

Doxycycline is another common antibiotic for dogs. It is effective against a wide range of infections in dogs, including leptospirosis, psittacosis, toxoplasmosis, and tick diseases. It falls under the bacteriostatic antibiotic, meaning it stops bacterial cells from reproducing.

Metronidazole

Unlike other antibiotics, metronidazole is effective against both bacteria and protozoan infections. It’s among the powerful medicines that vets prescribe. It can treat a wide range of health issues, including oral infections, giardia, diarrhea disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, periodontal disease, etc.

Metronidazole is especially effective against anaerobic infections. Due to its inflammatory properties, it’s ideal for the treatment of intestinal infections.

Gentamicin

Gentamicin is also a common antibiotic for dogs and is used to treat common bacterial infections in dogs, including pneumonia, eye, and ear infections. While gentamicin can be used alone, your vet may prescribe it with anti-inflammatory medication. It is available in tables or topical spray.

Clindamycin

As with metronidazole, clindamycin is both an antibiotic and antiprotozoal. It is effective for treating bone, mouth, bone, and respiratory tract infections. It can also act against gram-positive bacteria. Usually, clindamycin works by preventing the growth and reproduction of bacteria, although it can kill bacteria at times.

As you can see, many antibiotics are effective in treating infections in dogs. It is important to remember that antibiotics should only be used when the infection is a result of bacteria activity. If the virus is the cause of the illness, your vet will advise on the best practices to keep your dog comfortable as they recover. Your vet will analyze your dog to determine the cause of the infection before prescribing any medication.

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