Doxycycline is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in the brain, eye, prostate, nervous system and other areas where the body's natural defense mechanisms usually prevent passage. These blocks that nature has set up to keep bacteria out also keep out drugs, so treating those areas is difficult. However, doxycycline helps weaken those barriers enough to allow medications to pass through and attack illness and disease. There are quite a few side effects of using doxycycline. Some can be prevented or eased, and others are just something you have to consider worth the risk in order to fight more serious problems.
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Nausea and Vomiting
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By far the most common side effect of doxycycline in dogs is nausea and vomiting. Like many medications, doxycycline is best given along with food to help coat the stomach. Never give your dog this medication on an empty stomach.
Appetite Changes
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Dogs often lose the desire to eat when taking doxycycline, and may not even want their favorite foods or treats. It is important to make sure he stays nourished; attempting a wide variety of foods may help entice him to eat. If your dog shows a marked loss of appetite for more than a few days, consult your veterinarian for help.
Loose Stools and Diarrhea
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Any signs of loose stool or diarrhea should be reported to your veterinarian immediately. These are not routine side effects of doxycycline and are usually an indication that the dosage is too high for your dog.
Dental Changes
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Doxycycline causes tooth-color changes because it binds with calcium and inhibits its absorption into the system. Calcium is vital to tooth and bone growth, especially in young animals. Discoloration is more likely in young dogs than it is in older dogs, but can still occur at any age.
Odd Side Effects
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An unusual but considered normal side effect of doxycycline use in dogs is sensitivity to sun and possible sunburn if exposed to direct sunlight. More rare but potentially dangerous problems are changes in blood cells, and possible liver damage.
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