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Just like their owners, dogs are susceptible to minor injuries and are not immune to getting cuts, scrapes, or burns. But can you use Neosporin® on dogs? The answer isn’t completely straightforward. In some instances, applying the topical, antibiotic ointment can help heal your dog’s wound, but there are situations when it is not advisable or necessary to use it on your canine companion.
Since most people immediately reach for some type of ointment when an incident occurs, it’s not unusual that your first instinct might be to do the same for your dog. But before you go ahead and start applying Neosporin, there are a few things to take into consideration.
Can You Put Neosporin on a Dog?
When used properly, its generally considered safe to put Neosporin on dogs, and the same goes for generic triple antibiotic topicals. But there are a few caveats.
Any topical applied to a dog will encourage that dog to lick the area. So, applying Neosporin means your dog will likely lick off the medication and ingest it.
Ingesting Neosporin can be problematic. In fact, injectable neomycin has been linked to hearing loss in dogs. Although licking a small amount of the drug may not be enough to cause any issues, it also might not be worth the risk. Additionally, ingesting antibiotics can upset the natural balance of microorganisms in the dogs gut—called the microbiome—potentially leading to diarrhea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues. The amount of active ingredients in Neosporin is low, so licking a little bit is unlikely to harm your dog. However, regular use can lead to GI upset.
Licking wounds can also cause irritation and introduce bacteria into the wound, which delays healing and can lead to infection. Licking can be prevented with an Elizabethan collar, commonly called a cone.
Its also possible for your dog to have an allergic reaction to Neosporin and similar products. The dogs may develop a rash, hives, or facial swelling. Anaphylaxis is a rare reaction, but its serious and requires immediate veterinary attention.
The general consensus is that dogs dont really benefit from topicals like Neosporin for minor injuries. Many vets find that minor wounds heal fine without topical medications (as long as the dog doesnt lick the area). Its best to clean the wound and call your veterinarian for advice, and avoid applying products like Neosporin unless your vet advises it.
Skin and Tissue InfectionsÂ
Skin and tissue infections are the most common conditions treated by antibiotic cream in dogs. If your dogs skin is itchy, scaling, bad-smelling, and has hair/fur loss, it might be time to consider buying an antibiotic cream like Cephalosporin. Never Be Separated From Your Pet
Natural Antibiotics to PREVENT and TREAT Infection
Your emotional support dog is an important family member. Their health will significantly impact your safety and comfort. Unfortunately, dogs can develop infections that only antibiotics can treat. When you notice your dog showing symptoms of a disease, you should get treatment as soon as possible.
One of the most common medications used to treat infections in dogs is antibiotic creams. However, there are a variety of antibiotic treatments in the pharmaceutical world, and choosing one that will get rid of your dogs particular infection can be challenging.