Metronidazole for dogs ? All dogs suffer from some type of digestive disorder throughout their lives, especially when they are puppies because they love to take everything to their mouths.
There are many medications that can help relieve your dog’s stomach upset,
but one of the most common choices by veterinarians is the administration of metronidazole, as it is one of the most effective solutions that exist.
From a COMO, we explain in detail everything you need to know about metronidazole for dogs: what it is,
what it is for and what dose is normally administered.
If you want to know exactly what your dog has been prescribed and how you should give it to him so that he improves quickly, keep reading this article.
Index
- What is metronidazole for dogs
- What is metronidazole for?
- Dosage of metronidazole for dogs
- Side effects and contraindications of metronidazole for dogs
What is metronidazole for dogs
Metronidazole, also called Flagyl, is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal (that is, a medication indicated for the treatment of certain parasites). Thanks to its composition, this medicine acts on the DNA of pathogenic microorganisms, destroying them and preventing the spread of these in the body of your pet.
By reducing the name of pathogens in the dog’s organism, metronidazole contributes greatly to alleviate the symptoms and discomforts that these microorganisms cause to your pet.
If you want more information about this medicine, do not miss the next article of a COMO, where we discover everything you should know about Metronidazole – indications, uses, and effects.
What is metronidazole for?
As we have advanced, metronidazole is effective against certain protozoa, anaerobic bacteria, and some parasites.
However, and because it is a very effective antidiarrheal,
this medication is often prescribed against an inflammatory bowel disease and against the appearance of giardiasis (intestinal parasite) to relieve diarrhea they produce.
But those are not the only uses of metronidazole, and because of its ability to penetrate the bones, it is a most useful medication to treat periodontal diseases, as well as dental and oral infections.
On the other hand, by having large anti-inflammatory properties on the large intestine, metronidazole can relieve discomfort caused by abdominal inflammation.
Unlike many other medications, metronidazole is able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (the one that causes the brain to remain isolated from everything that is circulating in the blood), so that this medication can also treat infections of the central nervous system.
Being an effective medication to treat certain protozoa, if your dog suffers from protozoal infections caused by ticks, the veterinarian is also likely to bet on metronidazole. If you think your dog may suffer from such a problem, check out this article on Symptoms of a dog with
Dosage of metronidazole for dogs
The dose that is normally given to dogs is 5-20mg per kilogram of body weight.
In addition,
metronidazole is administered every 12 or 24 hours depending on each case, so you should keep in mind that if it is administered every 12 hours,
the dose will be lower in each dose.
It is usually administered orally or intravenously, depending on the disease that is causing the problem and its severity.
Take special care with the doses you give your dog because following the veterinarian’s instructions perfectly is essential for a quick recovery.
If you miss the time, do not hesitate to give your pet medication as soon as you remember. On the other hand, if you forget the time and remember it the next day,
do not double the dose given, as an overdose could occur.
In this case, call the veterinarian and follow the steps that the professional indicates.
Side effects and contraindications of metronidazole for dogs
Next, we talk about the contraindications and side effects of metronidazole so you can detect any problem in the shortest possible time.
Metronidazole side effects
Stay tuned, because, in the presence of any of these symptoms, we recommend you go to the vet quickly:
- At the neurological level, metronidazole can cause mild depression, seizures, and even leg problems. While it is true that leg paralysis is very rare, pay attention to any possible signs.
- An allergy to this medicine may appear. In this situation, you can observe rashes, hives or rapid breathing.
- The most common side effect is vomiting and diarrhea, which is why it is recommended to administer metronidazole immediately after the dog has eaten. The veterinarian may prescribe another medication to prevent nausea if deemed necessary.
- Drooling, blood in the urine and loss of common appetite, especially when the medication is stopped.
- In rare cases, it has been observed that prolonged administration of metronidazole can cause pancreatitis.
Contraindications of metronidazole
In addition to the possible symptoms listed above, you should know that there are also contraindications to consider:
- Pregnant or lactating bitches should not take metronidazole, as the medication could cause problems for their puppies.
- Dogs with kidney problems or liver disease,
- can not consume this medicine, as they are likely to show complications during treatment.
Before an overdose, the animal can show these symptoms:
- Excessive drooling
- Lack of appetite
- Coordination problems
- Strange eye movements
- Excessive tiredness
- Strange tremors and seizures
- Loss of vision
Faced with this situation or any of the symptoms mentioned above,
it is best to go quickly to the veterinarian since the life of your pet could be in danger.
