The amoxicillin antibiotic is one of the most powerful tools that you have to help protect your pet against bacteria growth that causes infection. Like other antibiotics, amoxicillin works to prevent bacteria from being able to live and grow in your pet's bodily systems. By eliminating bacteria at the source of the infection, you help to ensure that the bacteria cannot spread to other parts of your pet's body and to cause a secondary infection. However, like other medicines, amoxicillin can bring about certain negative side effects and risks in your pet's system. Read on for a brief overview of some of these side effects in dogs.
Diarrhea and Bowel Upset
One of the most common side effects of amoxicillin in dogs is bacteria and other signs of bowel upset. This side effect occurs so often because of the effect of the medicine on the healthy bacteria that live within your pet's bowels. When those bacteria are disturbed, the natural process of digestion is set off as well, and the result is oftentimes that your pet will suffer from some upset in his stomach and his digestive tract. This continues for the duration of the time in which your pet is under treatment with amoxicillin, as the antibiotic will prevent that healthy bacteria from being able to repopulate.
Negative Drug Interactions
Amoxicillin can interact negatively with certain other types of medicines which may be in your pet's system at the time that you give him the drug. In particular, these negative interactions can occur with other antibiotics like tetracycline and chloramphenicol. The exact side effect may depend upon your pet and his particular case, but in a minimal case it will usually disrupt the effectiveness of the antibiotics in dealing with the bacteria that they are attempting to neutralize and eliminate.
In other cases, these interactions can cause more serious health effects for your pet. Because of the risk of these effects, it's important that you inform your vet of any type of other medicine that you are giving to your pet before you start a treatment with amoxicillin.
Amoxicillin Antibiotic Allergic Reaction
Another potential side effect that your dog may have to a treatment of amoxicillin, though generally uncommon, is an allergic reaction. This may be the most serious side effects, and generally comes about within minutes of the first administration of the medicine. Some of the signs that your pet may be having an allergic reaction to the medicine include the following:
- Difficulty breathing
- Wheezing
- Change in temperament
- Loss of consciousness
If left untreated, an allergic reaction may prove to be very serious or even fatal to your pet. Thus, you should take a dog suffering from a reaction of this type in to the veterinarian for immediate examination and treatment as quickly as you can.
For more information about the various benefits, uses, and potential risks of amoxicillin and other related antibiotics in dogs, consult with your vet.