Veterinarians prescribe antibiotics for dogs and cats when it is fairly certain that the pet is suffering from some type of infection, usually bacterial. Antibiotics are not useful if the infection is viral. When considering what type of antibiotic to use, you must consider whether you are treating a dog or cat, what is causing the infection and what part of the body you want the antibiotic to treat.
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Amforal
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Amforal is an oral antibiotic and is most commonly prescribed for dogs and cats with severe diarrhea. One common side effect is darkened feces in the treated pet.
Kantrim
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Kantrim is similar to amforal except it is administered as an injection. An additional side effect with kantrim is pain at the site of the injection.
Amikacin
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Amikacin is an antibiotic of last resort, used in dogs only when other antibiotics have failed to work. Amikacin can cause kidney damage and deafness.
Amoxicillin
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Amoxicillin is one of the most common antibiotics prescribed for dogs and cats. It is most commonly prescribed for any type of infection in cats but is also commonly used for dogs.
Animax
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Animax is an antibiotic that is prescribed for yeast infections in the pet's ears, skin, paws or anal glands. Animax may lead to increased water consumption and urination.
Nystatin
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Nystatin is similar to animax and prescribed for the same purposes. The side effects of nystatin are similar to those of animax.
Cephalosporin
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Cephalosporin is one of the more common general-use antibiotics prescribed for dogs. Nausea is the only known side effect of this medication.
Doxycycline
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In addition to treating bacterial infections, doxycycline is used as part of treatment for tick-borne illnesses and heartworm. This medication shouldn't be given to pregnant dogs.
Penicillin
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Antibiotics in the penicillin family are sometimes prescribed because of their effectiveness at treating many types of infections. However, because many pets are allergic to penicillin, vets exercise caution when prescribing these antibiotics.
Sulfa Drugs
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Sulfa antibiotics are often prescribed when pets have a coccidial bacterial infection. Sulfa drugs lead to crystals in the pet's urine, making it important that your dog or cat drinks lots of water while taking these antibiotics.
Clindamycin
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Clindamycin and related antibiotic lincomycin are the most common veterinary antibiotics prescribed for oral infections in pets. These medications do carry the risk of damage to the kidneys and liver.
Cephalexin
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Cephalexin is a common veterinary antibiotic for oral use. Cephalexin is effective against infections such as staph, strep and E. coli. Side effects include vomiting, loss of appetite, excitability and the potential for an allergic reaction.
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