Amoxicillin for Dogs

Introduction

Has your dog been prescribed amoxicillin?  This is a common antibiotic that many vets use in dogs and cats.  It is very effective at treating multiple conditions and is a very safe and inexpensive choice for treating an infection in your dog. 

What is amoxicillin?

Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that your vet may prescribe to your dog.  Broad-spectrum means that this medication can treat a range of bacteria, including gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria.  

Amoxicillin works by attacking the formation of the cell wall of the bacteria.  This means that it can kill bacteria and even help prevent new bacteria from being able to develop.

Why does my vet prescribe amoxicillin?

Your vet may have prescribed your dog amoxicillin to help with the following conditions:

• skin infection
• upper respiratory infection
• urinary tract infection  

This may also be given for other reasons, but these are some of the most common issues that vets prescribe this medication. 

How do I give my dog this medication?

This medication may be a tablet, a capsule, or a liquid that you give to your dog by mouth.  You can hide the tablet in cheese or other food to help encourage your dog to take this medication.  Some dogs are great at spitting out the pills, and you may have to place this pill in the back of their mouth. 

If your dog has been prescribed this medication, it is always recommended to give the entire prescription unless your vet tells you otherwise. This helps decrease your chance of causing your dog to develop antibiotic resistance.  

Dosing instructions

Amoxicillin is dosed based on your dog’s body weight and what infection your vet is trying to treat.  A typical dosage used by many vets is 5 to 10mg per pound.  This means a 50-pound dog would need to take 500mg twice a day.  

This is usually given for 10 to 14 days.  Sometimes this may even be given longer.  Amoxicillin starts working in your dog and continues for 12 to 24 hours.  

Are there any side effects of amoxicillin?

The most common side effect of your dog taking amoxicillin is with the gastrointestinal tract.  If your dog is vomiting, this can be from taking amoxicillin without giving your dog any food.  Other signs that are seen are:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Skin irritation

Antibiotics can kill the natural gut flora.  Some dogs who experience GI issues when taking antibiotics may be given probiotics to help replace the normal gut flora. 

If your dog has facial swelling or difficulty breathing after taking Amoxicillin, it is best to stop giving this medication and contact your vet right away as this can be a severe allergic reaction. Usually, these issues will go away after about 24 hours.  

Final thoughts

Amoxicillin is a safe and effective antibiotic that is commonly given to dogs for many different issues.  If you are having any issues giving your dog this medication or noticing any side effects of your dog taking this medication, stop giving the medication and call your veterinarian.