Antibiotics for Pneumonia in Dogs

Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition that occurs in the lungs. It is typically caused by fungi, viruses or bacteria. If your dog is experiencing chronic coughing, mucous, wheezing and nasal discharge, he may have a case of canine pneumonia. There are many different antibiotics that are used to treat the condition, but it is important to consult your veterinarian to make sure you use the right one for your dog.

  1. Sulfa/Trimethoprim

    • This combination antibiotic is used for treating respiratory, skin and gastrointestinal conditions in dogs. It is a combination of several different medications, usually trimethoprim and sulfadiazine. These drugs are sometimes the first prescribed for pneumonia, but there are some strains of bacteria that are resistant to this combination. The side effects of this treatment are joint inflammation, facial swelling, keratoconjunctivitis sicca and anemia.

    Chloramphenicol

    • This medication used to be a part of an eye ointment that was taken off of the market for humans due to excessive side effects. In dogs, this medication is less frequently resisted by pneumonia bacteria, but some vets are reluctant to prescribe it due to the problems with humans. The treatment must be given four times a day, which is inconvenient for some owners.

    Gentamicin

    • This antibiotic is available for dogs as an injection only. The medication is used in severe cases of pneumonia only; while it is more effective, it has a higher incidence of severe side effects. These side effects include kidney damage, hearing loss and balance disorders. The medication is marketed under the name Gentocin.

    Broad Spectrum Penicillins

    • Broad-spectrum penicillins, such as Geocillin, are used frequently in humans to counteract bacterial infections, and they are used in dogs, as well. Many bacterial strains have developed a resistance to these types of antibiotics. These medications tend to be the safest and the least costly.

    Enrofloxacin

    • This type of antibiotic is used for multiple types of ailments, from pneumonia to skin infections. Enrofloxacin attacks bacteria by damaging its ability to transcript DNA properly. It is not frequently used in younger dogs, as it may cause damage to joint cartilage. Other side effects include urine crystals and retinal damage.