Metronidazole for Dogs
Metronidazole for dogs.
What is Metronidazole?
Metronidazole is an antibiotic that fights against harmful bacteria in your body.
Metronidazole is an effective drug for controlling certain parasites and anaerobic bacteria.
Anaerobic bacteria that flourish where there is less oxygen (anaerobic environments). Anaerobic bacteria cause diseases in the abdomen such as bacterial peritonitis and diseases in the liver such as liver abscess.
Giardia lamblia and ameba are intestinal parasites that can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea in infected individuals.
Metronidazole for Dogs, Metronidazole toxicity
Metronidazole (Flagyl) is a commonly used and very effective antibiotic.
Metronidazole is most frequently used to treat Giardia (gastrointestinal
parasites).
Combined with other antibiotics, metronidazole is used to treat severe dog infections. Unfortunately, toxicity and
undesirable side effects can occur.
Toxicity from metronidazole is usually only common with prolonged use (many
weeks) or high doses of the drug. Dogs with underlying liver disease are more prone to metronidazole toxicity.
Toxic levels of metronidazole affect the brain and equilibrium.
The initial treatment for metronidazole toxicity is to stop administration of the drug immediately. Depending on the severity of the toxicity, some pets may need to be hospitalized with constant intravenous fluids.
Dog medication to eliminate vomiting may also be needed. Blood work may be necessary to evaluate the function of the liver and kidneys. There is no specific antidote for metronidazole
toxicity and recovery may take 1-2 weeks.
Neurologic signs may be seen after accidental overdose or, more commonly, with long-term moderate to high-dose therapy as in the treatment of difficult bacterial infections.
Metronidazole for Dogs, Treatment of Giardia infections
Humans get Giardia when they drink water that has fecal matter in it.
When you go camping and drink water from a stream you can get Giardia.
When dogs get Giardia they need to be treated with METRONIDAZOLE.
Side Effects of Metronidazole for Dogs
Most common metronidazole side effects are bad taste or GI upset.
Other dog and cat metronidazole side effects include...
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excessive salivation
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gagging
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pawing at the mouth
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regurgitation
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decreased appetite
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nausea
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vomiting
Lesser common side effects include...
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depression
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liver failure
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diarrhea
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lethargy
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weakness
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dark urine due to pigment changes
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low white blood cell count
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blood in the urine
Metronidazole for Dogs, Canine Coronavirus
Canine Coronavirus is a virus that affects the intestinal tract of dogs. It causes a gastroenteritis similar to parvo.
Canine Coronavirus is a highly contagious virus affecting not only puppies, but older dogs as well.
The most common route of infection is contact with fecal material containing the virus.
There is no specific treatment that combats the Canine Coronavirus.
However, metronidazole may be prescribed to combat the internal parasites that complicate the disease.
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