Amoxicillin is a prescription antibiotic related to penicillin. It is most commonly used to treat and prevent bacterial infections in both humans and animals. Veterinarians do sometimes prescribe amoxicillin for dog ear infections, although topical treatments are usually tried first. Dogs should never be given amoxicillin that was prescribed for a human. The dosages and methodologies are different in the two drugs. Of course, no one should ever take any medication that was prescribed for someone else.
Veterinarians sometimes prescribe Augmentin to treat infections in dogs and cats. The form approved for animals is called Clavamox.
Uses of Amoxicillin + Clavulanate for Dogs and Cats
Amoxicillin + clavulanate is administered to treat infections caused by susceptible bacteria.
Infections treated with amoxicillin + clavulanate may include skin infections, bone infections, wound infections, infections in the mouth, pneumonia, and bladder infections.
Amoxicillin + clavulanate is not effective for viruses and parasitic infections (such as worms or mites).
Despite the combination of amoxicillin plus clavulanate, resistance may still occur with some bacteria and infections unresponsive to treatment.
While generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian, amoxicillin + clavulanate can cause side effects in some animals.
Amoxicillin + clavulanate should not be used in animals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to the drug.
Some animals may vomit shortly after administration of amoxicillin + clavulanate. This may occur in as many as 10 percent of dogs. In these cases, it may be helpful to feed the animal some food prior to drug administration to decrease stomach irritation. If vomiting after administration continues to occur, contact your veterinarian.
It is common for animals to develop diarrhea or loose stools from oral amoxicillin, and the same reaction may occur with amoxicillin + clavulanate. This is caused by a change in the bacterial population in the animal’s intestine.
Amoxicillin + clavulanate may interact with other medications. Consult with your veterinarian to determine if other drugs your pet is receiving could interact with amoxicillin + clavulanate. Such drugs include chloramphenicol and tetracycline.
Overview of Amoxicillin & Clavulanate for Canines and Felines
Amoxicillin + clavulanate is commonly used in dogs and cats to treat a variety of infections and its most common brand name is Clavamox® and Augmentin®.
Amoxicillin + clavulanate is a combination of two drugs that act together (synergistically) to treat or prevent bacterial infections in animals. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic related to penicillin, except that it has a somewhat broader spectrum of antibacterial action.
Clavulanate is an inhibitor of an enzyme produced by bacteria. This enzyme, beta-lactamase, would ordinarily render amoxicillin inactive. Clavulanate has no antibacterial effects; it simply acts as an inhibitor of an important resistance mechanism.
The combination of these two drugs in the same tablet means they act synergistically to treat bacterial infections that would otherwise have been resistant to amoxicillin alone.
As with similar penicillin drugs, amoxicillin + clavulanate kills bacteria by inhibiting production of the bacteria cell wall. Other related drugs include ampicillin, penicillin G, and ticarcillin.
Amoxicillin + clavulanate is a prescription drug and can only be obtained from a veterinarian or by prescription from a veterinarian.
What medicine do they give dogs for ear infections?
Antibiotic ear drops are generally used to treat a bacterial ear infection, also known as bacterial otitis externa. Topical preparations are available as single medications or as combinations; common antibiotic preparations include neomycin, gentamicin, polymyxin B, enrofloxacin and silver sulfadiazine.
FAQ
How much Augmentin do I give my dog?
Dogs: The recommended dosage is 6.25 mg/lb of body weight twice a day. Skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses, cellulitis, wounds, superficial/juvenile pyoderma, and periodontal infections should be treated for 5-7 days or for 48 hours after all symptoms have subsided.
What human antibiotics can I give my dog for ear infection?
Medications will be administered directly in the ear and orally. Antibiotics (such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, enrofloxacin, clindamycin, or cefpodoxime) will be used for a bacterial infection for 6-8 weeks minimum.
Can dogs take AMOX CLAV for ear infection?
Amoxicillin/Clavulanate generally is appropriate for use in cats and dogs, but it should never be administered to small animals like ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, or hamsters because the antibiotic nature of the medicine affects the normal bacteria in a small animal’s gastrointestinal tract, as this can …
How much penicillin do I give a dog for an ear infection?
The daily dose of penicillin is 3,000 units per pound of body weight (1 mL per 100 lbs body weight). Continue daily treatment until recovery is apparent and for at least one day after symptoms disappear, usually in two to three days. Treatment should not exceed four consecutive days.