A canine skin infection is a common condition and can have different causes such as bacteria, fungi, parasites, allergens or it can be symptomatic for an underlying condition. Skin infections cause itches, hair loss and serious discomfort to your pet and it should not be left untreated. Whenever you spot any type of abnormality on your dog’s skin, address your veterinarian for the correct diagnosis and the appropriate treatment. Cephalexin is a drug which proved efficient in treating bacterial infections in dogs.
Canine Skin Infection Treatment with Cephalexin
Cephalexin is a prescription antibiotic which has a large antimicrobial spectrum. Its properties are similar to those of penicillin, but it fights against a wider range of bacteria. Cephalexin protects the body by creating an antibacterial wall which helps destroy harmful bacteria and treat infections.
Cephalexin is used in dogs with skin infections, but it is also efficient against infections localized in other body parts, such as bones, soft tissue or bladder. The drug comes as an oral suspension so if your dog refuses to take tablets you might have to administer the treatment together with his meals.
Although Cephalexin is efficient against bacteria, especially against staphylococci, it may not be a suitable cure if the skin infection is caused by fungi, mites or parasites.
Cephalexin might not be as efficient against complex bacterial infections. Therefore, the dog’s skin infection has to be diagnosed correctly in order to find the most appropriate treatment.
Cephalexin is designed for human use, but it can also be prescribed for dogs. Veterinarians have been approved to prescribe it as an extra-label medication, even if it is not officially considered a canine treatment. Extra-label prescriptions are treatments intended for a certain species or a specific disease which can also be prescribed for different purposes than the initial one.
Administration of Cephalexin in Dogs
Cephalexin is a substance which should be administered according to the dog’s weight. Veterinarians usually prescribe 10 to 15 mg of Cephalexin per pound. It has to be administered several times a day, strictly respecting the time intervals of administration. Veterinarians can recommend oral administration every 8 to 12 hours.
Cephalexin is an antibiotic so it is not recommended to interrupt the treatment before the entire prescription is administered; otherwise the infection may be recurrent.
Side-Effects of Cephalexin
Cephalexin is a safe medication, especially if administered in the prescribed doses.
However, in some cases, the drugs might cause side effects. If the dog does not tolerate antibiotics such as amoxicillin, penicillin or ampicillin, he might also have adverse reactions to Cephalexin.
The side effects reported for Cephalexin consist mainly in vomiting and diarrhea. Usually, the side effects are manifested soon after the treatment is started. If you notice any symptoms, address your veterinarian.
Do not administer Cephalexin to your dog without a veterinarian prescription and respect the recommendations regarding dosage and means of administration.