All dogs suffer from some type of digestive disorder throughout their lives, especially when they are puppies, as they love to put everything in their mouths. There are many medications that can help relieve your dog’s stomach discomfort, 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 HOWTO, we explain in detail everything you need to know about the metronidazole for dogs: what it is, what it is for and dose that 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 can get better quickly, keep reading this article.
What is metronidazole for dogs
Metronidazole, also called Flagyl, is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal (that is, a drug 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 body, metronidazole contributes greatly to alleviating the symptoms and discomfort that these microorganisms cause to your pet. If you want more information about this drug, do not miss the following oneHOWTO article, where we discover everything you need to 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, it is common for this drug to be prescribed against inflammatory bowel disease and against the appearance of giardia (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 drug for treating periodontal diseases, as well as dental and oral infections.
On the other hand, by having great anti-inflammatory properties on the large intestine, metronidazole can relieve discomfort caused by abdominal inflammation.
Unlike many other drugs, metronidazole is able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (the one that makes the brain isolated from everything that is circulating in the blood), so this drug also can treat central nervous system infections.
As it is an effective drug to treat certain protozoa, if your dog suffers from protozoan infections caused by ticks, it is also likely that the vet will bet on metronidazole. If you think your dog may have such a problem, take a look at this article on Symptoms of a dog with ticks.
Metronidazole dosage for dogs
The dose normally administered to dogs is 5-20mg for every kilo of body weight of this. In addition, metronidazole is administered every 12 or 24 hours depending on each case, so you should bear 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 causing the problem and the severity of the problem.
You have to be especially careful with the doses you give your dog, because perfectly following the veterinarian’s instructions is essential for a quick recovery. If you miss the time, do not hesitate to give your pet the 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 administered dose, as an overdose could occur. In this case, call the vet and follow the steps that the professional indicates.
Side effects and contraindications of metronidazole for dogs
Next, we will talk about the contraindications and side effects of metronidazole so that you detect any problem in the shortest possible time.
Side effects of metronidazole
Stay tuned, because in the presence of any of these symptoms, we recommend that you go to the vet quickly:
- On a 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 drug may appear. In this situation, you may observe rashes, hives or rapid breathing.
- The most common side effect are vomiting and diarrhea, which is why it is recommended to administer metronidazole immediately after the dog has eaten. The vet can prescribe another medication to prevent nausea if deemed necessary.
- Drooling, blood in the urine and loss of appetite common, especially when the medicine 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 mentioned above, you should know that there are also contraindications to take into account:
- Pregnant or nursing dogs should not take metronidazole, as the drug could cause problems for their puppies.
- Dogs with kidney problems or liver disease, also cannot consume this drug, as they are prone to show complications during treatment.
Before a overdose, the animal may 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 vet, since the life of your pet could be in danger.
If you want to read more articles similar to Metronidazole for dogs: what it is, what it is for and dosage, we recommend that you enter our category of Pets.