IBD, diarrhea, and other parasitic and bacterial infections in dogs are all treated with the antibiotic metronidazole, also referred to as Flagyl.
What is the right Metronidazole dosage for your furry friend, and are there any side effects you need to be aware of?
Here is all the information you require regarding the applications, adverse effects, and dosage of metronidazole in dogs.
Metronidazole is primarily prescribed to treat canine diarrhea, but it is also used to treat anaerobic bacterial pathogens and protozoal infections such as Giardia, Trichomonas, and Balantidium Coli.
Additionally, sepsis, dental and oral infections, IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), internal abscesses, and bone infections can all be treated with metronidazole prescriptions.
The medication’s ability to cross the blood-brain barrier makes it also helpful for treating inflammatory CNS conditions.
Advice: Pet insurance policies cover medications prescribed by your veterinarian as a treatment for an injury or illness, including antibiotics. But keep in mind that pre-existing condition treatment is not covered by pet insurance policies. Because of this, it is crucial to protect your dog as soon as possible to prevent an unanticipated injury or illness.
Never administer medication to your dog before consulting your vet. Canines have shorter digestive tracts than humans and may only partially digest this medication, despite its extended release in humans. When a dog has a blocked airway or sepsis, for example, the vet may choose to inject the medication.
Call your veterinarian to find out how much to give your pet and to find out if metronidazole is safe for that particular animal. Tablets of metronidazole typically range in strength from 250 mg to 500 mg. The typical dosage for dogs will vary depending on the condition being treated.
Make sure to administer the medication as soon as possible if you miss a dose. However, skip the missed dose and carry on with the regular schedule if it is almost time for the subsequent dose. Never give your dog two doses at once.
The medication’s liquid, oral form should be kept in the refrigerator and thoroughly shaken before use. Tablets and capsules ought to be stored at room temperature in a container that is tightly sealed, away from light, and away from heat.
What Is Metronidazole Used for in Dogs?
A prescription antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication called metronidazole is effective against a few bacterial and parasitic infections. This medication, which also goes by the brand name Flagyl, is frequently prescribed by veterinarians to treat canine diarrhea. Metronidazole can cross the blood-brain barrier, kill anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that don’t require oxygen to survive), and treat some infections of the central nervous system.
The following conditions can all be treated with metronidazole in canines:
What is Feline Urinary Tract Disease?
The term “urinary tract disease” refers to any inflammation or infection of the bladder and urethra in cats.
This condition is also known as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). The most common form of feline lower urinary tract disease is an obstruction in the urethra or cystitis.
Although bacterial infections can cause FLUTD, this is not always the case. Depending on the cat’s health, your veterinarian will need to perform tests to identify the cause of the urinary tract disorder.
When Is Metronidazole the Right Choice?
Metronidazole is an extremely useful antibiotic and antiprotozoal medication that’s been around since the 1950s. In both human and veterinary medicine, it’s used to treat infections caused by anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that don’t need oxygen to survive). Since it kills the bacteria rather than simply halting their growth, metronidazole has the potential to work faster and more efficiently than other antibiotics (such as clindamycin) that also target anaerobic bacteria.
Metronidazole is effective against Bacteroides fragilis, for example, which is a normal bacterial member of the gut and mouth microbiomes but can also be a culprit in wound infection, abscesses, chest infection (often associated with pneumonia), and liver infection. Metronidazole is also used to treat infections of the gallbladder and bile ducts, and because it can enter bone, it’s useful for infections involving the jaw and mouth.
Additionally, metronidazole is effective against the Clostridioides family of bacteria, which includes Clostridium difficile (C). diff), a recognized cause of diarrhea in both humans and animals.
In both cats and dogs, metronidazole may be used to treat cases of gastritis caused by Helicobacter bacteria (such as H. pylori) in the stomach. It’s also a valuable weapon against sepsis, a life-threatening immune system response that damages tissues and organs. When it’s used for Helicobacter therapy and for sepsis, metronidazole is usually combined with other antibiotics in order to cover a broader range of bacteria.
In the past, metronidazole worked well against Giardia, a protozoan parasite that causes diarrhea in dogs. Over time, however, that organism has developed a resistance to metronidazole, so this medication is no longer effective by itself against Giardia. (We’ll have more to say about the problem of antimicrobial resistance a little later in this article.)
FAQ
How many days does a dog need metronidazole?
Veterinarians typically prescribe 5 mg of metronidazole per pound of body weight for conditions that require it. For five to seven days, your dog will typically take the medication twice daily.
When should I stop giving my dog metronidazole?
How long should I administer metronidazole to my dog? Metronidazole should be administered as prescribed by your veterinarian. Depending on the condition they are treating, veterinarians typically recommend metronidazole for a period of 5 to 10 days.
Can you give a dog too much metronidazole?
Overdose. Dogs and cats: The gastrointestinal signs (anorexia, vomiting) and the neurologic signs (depression, ataxia, disorientation, head tilt, tremors, bradycardia, rigidity, stiffness, and seizures) are all signs of metronidazole overdose.
Can metronidazole be used long term in dogs?
We now know that metronidazole can result in harmful long-term changes in your dog’s gut microbiome in addition to its unsettling side effects. Because certain diarrhea-causing conditions (like C) respond well to metronidazole, diff), it has developed into the most widely used antibiotic for canine diarrhea generally.