Ambroxol is a drug with a mucolytic and expectorant effect. This means that it is used in pathologies that cause a large amount of thick mucus that is difficult to eliminate, but some precautions must be taken into account for its correct use in dogs. For this reason, it is very important that we only administer ambroxol for dogs if the veterinarian has prescribed it for us.
In this ExpertAnimal article we explain in detail everything you need to know about ambroxol in dogs, its main uses, side effects and possible contraindications.
What is ambroxol?
Ambroxol in hydrochloride form is the active metabolite of bromhexine, a mucolytic and expectorant, which achieves a greater effect than bromhexine. In other words, bromhexine is metabolized via the liver to ambroxol. So your vet may prescribe bromhexine instead.
Therefore, ambroxol hydrochloride has a expectorant and mucolytic effect This means that it breaks up mucus and reduces its viscosity, which makes it easier to its expulsion and relieves cough. It is common to find ambroxol combined with other active ingredients such as dexamethasone, meloxicam, chlorpheniramine or florfenicol, both in injectable format and in syrup. The veterinarian can choose them depending on the pathology that the dog has to increase the effectiveness of the treatment. Ambroxol for dogs is presented in vials for administration as an intramuscular or intravenous injection. Therefore, it is a treatment that is usually done in the veterinary clinic. Finally, it is mainly eliminated through the urine.
What is ambroxol for dogs used for?
Given the effect of ambroxol, the vet can prescribe it when our dog has a respiratory disease that produces a large amount of mucus very thick, productive cough or when you have difficulty coughing up mucus. It is effective in both upper and lower respiratory tract pathologies. These are diseases such as pneumonia, sinusitis, rhinitis, laryngitis, bronchitis or tracheitis. It also serves for bronchopneumonia, whether infectious or not. In addition, it can be prescribed when the dog suffers from a viral disease that has caused respiratory complications.
Ambroxol is just one of the drugs used to cure this type of disease. It is never given alone when the vet diagnoses an infection. In fact, this drug manages to increase the concentration of the antibiotic in the pulmonary parenchyma, making the treatment more effective. It also increases the concentration of immunoglobulins at the level of bronchial secretions. In short, ambroxol makes the dog breathe better and promotes its recovery.
Ambroxol Dosage for Dogs
Of course, like any other drug, only the veterinarian can prescribe and prescribe the most appropriate dosage depending on the specific circumstances of each dog, so that you always respect the instructions of this professional. For example, for injectable administration via the muscle, the intervals considered safe for dogs are between 2 and 5 ml every 12 hoursThe weight of the dog must be taken into account to calculate the safest and most effective dose. It can also be administered intravenously, as long as it is done slowly, but it must be taken into account that the dose may vary when ambroxol is part of a medication in combination with other active ingredients.
The treatment usually lasts about five days, although it is at the discretion of the veterinarian. In addition to this drug, depending on the illness suffered by the dog, the veterinarian will prescribe other compatible medications and will explain the necessary care that we will have to follow at home to help the dog recover, such as keeping it in a warm environment away from air currents, provide sufficient hydration or avoid exposure to irritating agents such as smoke or dust.
Precautions and side effects of ambroxol for dogs
Ambroxol is a drug that is considered quite safe, of course, as long as we respect the instructions of the veterinarian and do not administer it on our own. It has been found that irritation of the gastrointestinal mucosa may occur after use, although this is rare. It seems that it can also be used during pregnancy and lactation, although, as always, the final decision is up to the veterinarian after assessing the advantages and disadvantages of its use.
On the other hand, its administration is not recommended in dogs with pulmonary edema In addition, it must be taken into account that if ambroxol for dogs forms part of a drug that combines several active ingredients, the precautions will change depending on what these are. Therefore, it is very important that we never medicate a dog on our own. It must be insisted that if your disease is of bacterial origin, it is essential to administer ambroxol together with antibiotics, according to the veterinarian's criteria. In addition, in bronchitis caused by worms, before ambroxol the dog has to take the antiparasitic that the veterinarian has selected.
Because of all of the above, if your dog shows symptoms of bronchitis, kennel cough or any other respiratory disease, go to the vet so that he or she can decide on the best treatment. Giving your dog ambroxol without knowing the diagnosis can make it worse.
