Fortunately, owners are becoming more and more aware of the importance of treating their pet's he alth in a way that is respectful and harmless to its body, however, this is not always possible and sometimes it is pharmacological therapy is necessary.
Getting to know better those drugs that are usually used to treat our dog will help us understand that self-medication is never viable and will also allow us to know in advance the problems that may arise from a certain treatment and that need attention vet.
In this AnimalWised article we talk about the uses and side effects of doxycycline in dogs.
What is doxycycline?
Doxycycline is an antibiotic drug that belongs to the group of tetracyclines and is indicated to fight infections of bacterial origin, having no type of action against viruses or fungi.
It acts against gram positive and gram negative bacteria with a bacteriostatic action mechanism, that is, it does not kill the bacteria but if it interacts with the wall of the same preventing its reproduction, therefore, the bacteria dies without leaving offspring and this process finally ends with the infection.
Uses of doxycycline in dogs
Doxycycline can only be used in dogs when it has been prescribed by the veterinarian, since depending on the type of infection, the latter will determine if the bacteria that produce it are susceptible to the action of this antibiotic.
Some of the most common pathologies in which doxycycline is used are the following:
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Respiratory infections
- Topical infections
- Bacterial diseases
- Leptospirosis
Generally doxycycline is administered orally, either as tablets or syrup, however, in severe cases or where the animal cannot swallow properly, the veterinarian will proceed to administer it through injectables.
What are the side effects of doxycycline in dogs?
Doxycycline is safe with few side effects, however, the following have been observed in some animals:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Teeth color change
If our dog is taking other medications, broader adverse reactions may be seen, as doxycycline can interact with numerous drugs, hence that the prescription of a professional is so important, since the veterinarian will determine which is the most indicated antibiotic taking into account the medication that our dog takes.
Prevent Doxycycline Side Effects
Not all side effects of doxycycline can be prevented, however, diarrhea caused by changes in the intestinal flora can be easily controlled, for this, when your veterinarian prescribes doxycycline to Don't hesitate to ask your dog for advice on the best probiotic to administer.
probiotics for dogs are products that contain strains of bacteria naturally present and beneficial in the intestinal tract of our pet, from In this way, the antibiotic will not alter the intestinal flora and with this we will also be able to keep the immune system in good shape.
