Cipro antibiotic also known as ciprofloxacin is a medication that kills various infections in pets. Since it has antibiotic properties it kills susceptible bacteria that cause different types of infections like respiratory infections, stomach infections or urinary tract infections. The medication is a prescription drug and should only be used according to the vet’s instructions.
How Cipro Antibiotics Work
Ciprofloxacin contains a few active and inactive ingredients. The active ingredient is ciprofloxacin while the inactive ingredients include magnesium stearate, polyethylene glyco, titanium dioxide and crospovidone amidst others.
The medication has fluoroquinolone properties that block bacterial DNA. This helps to kill susceptible bacteria within a short span of time. The medication is usually prescribed as a course and has to be administered on time, in the right amount.
Dosage and Administration
The duration of the course of medication depends upon the severity of the infection your pet is suffering from. As a general guideline, dogs should be given 2.27 to 6.8 mg of the medication per pound of body weight after every 12 hours. While the medication is safe for use on dog’s that aren’t allergic to fluroquinolone drugs, it isn’t safe for use on pets that are less than 28 weeks of age.
As a pet owner, you need to take responsibility and administer all prescribed medications on time. If you miss a dose, don’t double dose your pet. Instead, skip the dose you’ve missed and administer the medication at the next scheduled time.
Side Effects of Ciprofloxacin
Side effects include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Stiffness of the joints
- Muscular pain
- Blurred vision
Precautions of Ciprofloxacin Use
Although the side effects mentioned above are only a few examples, your pet could also start showing signs of depression, seizures, mental confusion, fever and bloody diarrhea. If these symptoms develop, you must stop administering the medication and seek medical help. Pets that are allergic to the drug could also have difficulty breathing. Some pets may suffer from facial swelling, hives and other symptoms of allergic reactions.
You should therefore monitor your pet’s condition and seek medical help if any of these symptoms arise.
Additional Information Regarding Ciprofloxacin
Although Ciprofloxacin is not specifically formulated for use in pets, it’s often prescribed by the vet to cure severe infections of the respiratory or urinary tract. If the medication has to be administered to your pet, you will have to purchase it in tablet form and administer it orally. You should also keep the vet informed about any other medications that your pet is taking so that no drug interactions develop.
Avoid discontinuing the medication if the dog starts feeling better or if the underlying condition is cured. You should give your pet the entire course so that all bacteria are destroyed and the infection doesn’t recur.
Apart from treating urinary tract infections, respiratory infections and gastrointestinal infections, the medication can also be used to treat other medical conditions. However, you must avoid giving the medication to any other pet living your home without discussing the same with the vet.