Canine Urinary Tract Infection Treatment with Clavamox

A canine urinary tract infection is a painful inflammation that prevents your pet from urinating normally. These infections are caused by bacteria that has entered the urinary tract, typically through the urethra, and that has then spread and reproduced. The result of this spreading is inflammation and constriction of the urinary tract, which makes the act of urination itself a painful and uncomfortable one for your dog. Left untouched, these infections can lead to long term damage like bladder stones. They may also spread throughout your pet's body and cause fatal infections of the internal organs.

Like other bacterial infections, those of the urinary tract can be treated with antibiotics. There are a number of different drugs available to your pet, but they will all require a veterinarian's diagnosis and prescription. One of the most commonly prescribed and most effective of these medicines is Clavamox.

Overview of Clavamox

Clavamox is a prescription general antibiotic. It is formulated specifically for veterinary use and is a product of Pfizer Animal Health. Veterinarians will recommend this drug to treat a wide number of different bacteria-related infections, urinary tract infections being one of the most common.

The drug itself is a combination of two medicines. The first is amoxicillin, which is a standard canine antibiotic used to treat infections. The second is clavulanic acid, which helps your dog's body to process the amoxicillin by inhibiting the enzymes that would react to the antibiotic under normal circumstances.

Treating Your Pet's Urinary Tract Infection with Clavamox

The first step toward treating your pet's urinary tract infection is to recognize the symptoms and have your veterinarian examine your pet. If you suspect that your pet may be suffering from a UTI, take him to the vet immediately in order to address the condition promptly and before it has the chance to spread or cause further damage to his system. Your veterinarian will conduct a physical examination and may also take a urine sample or other tests in order to make a final diagnosis.

At this point, speak with your veterinarian about the possibility of addressing the condition with Clavamox. Clavamox is available in both tablet and liquid form, and it is generally given to dogs based upon their weight. Normal dosage is once every 12 hours or so. In some cases, however, your dog's preexisting conditions or allergies may preclude Clavamox as a viable treatment option. For this reason, it is necessary to acquire a prescription from your vet.

Give your pet his dose of Clavamox along with food. Most pet owners include the tablet with their pet's meals. As with other antibiotics, it is important to continue the dosage exactly as your veterinarian recommends, even if your pet's symptoms appear to clear up before the medicine has run out. Store Clavamox in a cool, refrigerated place.

Clavamox has mild side effects, potentially including vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and other behavior changes. Some pets will experience an allergic reaction, typically characterized by rashes and breathing difficulties. In these cases, take your pet to a veterinarian for examination immediately.

 

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