Metronidazole tablets usually come in strengths of 250 mg – 500 mg. The standard dosage for canines will depend on the condition that’s being treated. If you miss a dose of the drug, make sure to give it as soon as possible.
What is metronidazole 250 mg used for in dogs?
Metronidazole (brand name Flagyl®) is an antibacterial and antiprotozoal agent used in the treatment of certain anaerobic bacterial and protozoal infections, such as those caused by Giardia and Trichomonas. It is often used to treat diarrhea and other intestinal problems.
How much metronidazole can I give my dog?
Recommended dose rates for metronidazole in dogs are 44 mg/kg, PO, followed by 22 mg/kg, qid, for anaerobic infections; 25 mg/kg, PO, bid, for giardiasis; and 66 mg/kg/day, PO, for trichomoniasis. Courses of therapy are generally 5–7 days. Both PO and IV preparations are available.
Can a dog overdose on metronidazole?
Dogs and cats: Symptoms of overdose of metronidazole include the gastrointestinal signs (anorexia, vomiting) and neurologic signs including depression, ataxia, disorientation, head tilt, tremors, bradycardia, rigidity, stiffness, and seizures.
Can metronidazole kill my dog?
Metronidazole, an antibiotic commonly used in veterinary medicine, typically has a wide margin of safety. However, with chronic dosing > 62 mg/kg per day, acute presentation of toxicity can be seen in both dogs and cats. Clinical signs of metronidazole toxicosis include: Ataxia.
What if metronidazole doesn’t work for my dog?
If a pet doesn’t tolerate metronidazole we can substitute something else. It usually takes 10-14 days of medication to completely clear a typical infection and sometimes longer.
Is metronidazole a strong antibiotic?
Flagyl, known generically as metronidazole or by the brand name Protostat, is an antibacterial drug that is classified as a broad-spectrum antibiotic. 1 Metronidazole is used to treat anaerobic bacterial infections or protozoal infections.
Is metronidazole safe for my dog?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved metronidazole for veterinary use (it is approved for human use), but veterinarians often prescribe it for their canine and feline patients.
Is there an alternative to metronidazole for dogs?
Rifaximin is an effective alternative to metronidazole for the treatment of chronic enteropathy in dogs: a randomised trial.
Will metronidazole make my dog sleepy?
More serious but less common adverse effects of metronidazole in pets include lethargy, weakness, liver damage, and central nervous system disorders. Clinical signs of nervous system toxicity may include abnormal eye movements, head tilt, loss of balance and coordination, stumbling or knuckling, and even seizures.
How long does it take for metronidazole to leave a dog’s system?
The elimination half-life in the dog varies from three to 13 hours. Adverse effects in dogs and cats include neurologic disorders, lethargy, weakness, neutropenia, hepatotoxicity, hematuria, anorexia, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
How long can a dog stay on metronidazole?
Occasionally in dogs with moderate-to-severe IBD or in a case where both IBD and chronic bacterial overgrowth are present, it may be necessary to continue metronidazole on a long-term basis of months to years at 10-20 mg/kg twice daily.
What bacteria does metronidazole kill?
Metronidazole has activity against protozoans like Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Trichomonas vaginalis, for which the drug was first approved as an effective treatment. Anaerobic bacteria which are typically sensitive are primarily Gram-negative anaerobes belonging to the Bacteroides and Fusobacterium spp.
What are the most common side effects of metronidazole?
The most common side effects of metronidazole tablets, liquid, suppositories or vaginal gel are feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, and a slight metallic taste in your mouth. Do not drink alcohol while taking a course of metronidazole tablets, liquid, suppositories or vaginal gel, or for 2 days after finishing treatment.
Does metronidazole stop diarrhea in dogs?
Many veterinarians prescribe metronidazole, a nitroimidazole antibiotic, for the treatment of acute diarrhea in dogs. 1, 10, 13 It has a broad spectrum of activity against anaerobic bacteria including potential enteric pathogens such as Clostridium perfringens, and antiprotozoal activity is observed at higher dosages.
What do vets give dogs for diarrhea?
Antidiarrheal agents, dewormers and or probiotics (bacteria that support intestinal health) may be prescribed in some cases. Metronidazole (brand name Flagyl®) and tylosin (brand name Tylan®) are commonly prescribed anti-diarrheal agents that decrease the intestinal inflammation that often leads to diarrhea.