All dogs suffer from some type of digestive disorder throughout their lives, especially when they are puppies, because they love to put everything in their mouths. There are many medications that can help you relieve your dog’s stomach upset, 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 aHOWTO, we explain in detail everything you need to know about metronidazole for dogs: what it is, what it is for and the 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 gets better quickly, keep reading this article.
You may also be interested in: Ivermectin for dogs: what is it, what is it for and dose
Index
- What is metronidazole for dogs
- What is metronidazole for?
- Dosage of Metronidazole for Dogs
- Side effects and contraindications of metronidazole for dogs
What is metronidazole for dogs
Metronidazole, also called Flagyl, is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal (ie, a medicine indicated for the treatment of certain parasites). Thanks to its composition, this medicine acts on the DNA of pathogenic microorganisms , destroying them and preventing their spread in your pet’s body.
By reducing the number of pathogens in the dog’s body, metronidazole contributes greatly to relieving the symptoms and discomfort that these microorganisms cause to your pet. If you want more information about this medicine, don’t 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 anticipated, metronidazole is effective against certain protozoa, anaerobic bacteria and some parasites. However, and because it is a very effective antidiarrheal, this medication is often prescribed against inflammatory bowel disease and against the appearance of giardia (intestinal parasite) to relieve the diarrhea they produce .
But those are not the only uses of metronidazole, and due to its ability to penetrate the bones, it is a very useful medicine to treat 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 the discomfort caused by abdominal inflammation .
Unlike many other drugs, metronidazole is able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (the barrier that keeps the brain isolated from everything that circulates in the blood), so this drug can also treat infections of the central nervous system .
Being an effective drug for treating certain protozoa, if your dog is suffering from protozoal infections caused by ticks, the vet is also likely to 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 .
Dosage of Metronidazole for Dogs
The dose that is normally administered to dogs is 5-20mg for each kilo of body weight of this . In addition, metronidazole is administered every 12 or 24 hours depending on each case, so you must bear in mind that if it is administered every 12 hours, the dose will be lower with each intake.
It is usually administered orally or intravenously, depending on the disease that is causing the problem and the severity of the problem.
You have to be especially careful with the doses you give your dog, since perfectly following the vet’s instructions is essential for a quick recovery . If you miss the time, don’t 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 veterinarian 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 can detect any problem in the shortest possible time.
Metronidazole Side Effects
Stay alert, because in the presence of any of these symptoms, we recommend that you go to the vet quickly:
- Neurologically, metronidazole can cause mild depression, seizures, and even leg problems. While it is true that paralysis of the legs is very rare, pay attention to any possible signs.
- An allergy to this medicine may appear. In this situation, you may see rashes, hives or rapid breathing.
- The most common side effect is vomiting and diarrhea, which is why it is recommended to administer metronidazole immediately after the dog has eaten. Your vet may prescribe another medication to prevent nausea if deemed necessary.
- Drooling, blood in the urine, and loss of appetite are common, especially when the medication is stopped.
- In rare cases, prolonged administration of metronidazole has been observed to cause pancreatitis.
Contraindications of metronidazole
In addition to the possible symptoms listed above, you should know that there are also contraindications to take into account:
- Pregnant or lactating female dogs should not take metronidazole, as the medication could cause problems for their puppies.
- Dogs with kidney problems or liver disease should also not consume this drug, as they are prone to complications during treatment.
In an overdose , the animal may show these symptoms:
- Excessive drooling
- Lack of appetite
- coordination problems
- strange eye movements
- excessive tiredness
- Strange tremors and seizures
- vision loss
In this situation or any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is best to go to the vet quickly , since your pet’s life could be in danger.
