Clavamox is a prescription medication composed by the combination of two drugs: amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium (the potassium salt of clavulanic acid). These drugs work together to fight a variety of infections in dogs. The medication is available in both tablet and liquid form. Clavamox oral suspension is produced by Pfizer Animal Health under the product name Clavamox Drops. It presents as a dry powder packaged inside a 15 ml bottle.
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Identification
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Clavamox is a broad-spectrum antibiotic. Clavamox is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, meaning that it is capable of killing a wide variety of bacteria. The amoxicillin kills and prevents the growth of bacteria, while the clavulanic acid inhibits the production of a special enzyme produced by bacteria known as beta-lactamase. Such enzymes normally would be capable of allowing the bacteria to survive the effects of the antibiotic, therefore rendering the amoxicillin inactive, according to Dr. Mark Papich.
Preparation
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To prepare the oral liquid form and properly dose, reconstitution instructions must be carefully followed. According to Pfizer, 14 ml of water must be added to the 15 ml bottle and all should be shaken together vigorously. Normally, a veterinary technician or a pharmacy technician will reconstitute the medication and sell it in already liquid form. Once reconstituted, the medication should be refrigerated for the duration of therapy, and any unused portions should be discarded after 10 days.
Dosage
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An oral syringe is helpful for proper dosing. The recommended dosage of Clavamox drops for dogs is 1 ml per 10 lbs. of body weight twice a day, according to Pfizer. Each ml of suspension therefore will contain 50 mg of amoxicillin and 12.5 mg of clavulanic acid. The bottle should be shaken well before each use. An oral syringe is supplied to help owners dose their dogs correctly. Medication is administered slowly to prevent choking or vomiting by placing the syringe in the dog's mouth in the pocket formed between its cheek and back teeth.
Considerations
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While the standard dosage of 1 ml for 10 pounds of body weight twice a day is recommended by Pfizer when administering Clavamox drops, doses of other amoxicillin and clavulanate products may vary since the ratios of clavulanate in the amoxicillin preparations may vary. The human form of Clavamox (which is Augmentin), for instance, has a higher ratio of amoxicillin to clavulanate, according to Doctors Foster and Smith. It is therefore advisable not to use this medication without detailed instructions from a veterinarian.
Warning
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Prescription dosages and directions must be followed carefully. At times, even when dosing the dog with Clavamox correctly, symptoms of infection may not subside. Possible causes of this may be not keeping the product refrigerated as recommended, not administering the medication for the exact length of time prescribed, failing to notice that the dog is vomiting the medication shortly after administering it, using the product after 10 days or using expired drugs, and resistance to Clavamox despite its potentiated formulation.
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