Terramycin is used to fight bacterial infections in dogs such as tooth problems, infections caused by wounds, sinuses, pneumonia, eye infections and Lyme disease. It is very effective against bacteria and is used on animals such as dogs, cats and horses.
Ingredients Present in Terramycin
Terramycin is the brand name for a drug known as oxytetracycline and the main ingredients it contains are oxytetracycline and polymixin B. This prescription drug is approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of eye infections. Oxytetracycline and polymixin B inhibit the production of proteins responsible for eye infections. This inhibition speeds the healing process of corneal infections, inflamed eyelids and pink eyes.
The Use of Terramycin in Dogs
Terramycin is available in capsule form, as a powder and as an eye ointment. It’s a safe drug that’s well tolerated by dogs and should be administered as prescribed by the vet. As a pet owner, you should watch for signs and symptoms that show that Terramycin is not well tolerated by your pet.
Such symptoms include:
- raised bumps on the skin
- continual itching
- biting of the feet
If you find any symptoms of an allergy to Terramycin, you should discontinue the medication immediately and notify the vet at the earliest.
How to Use Terramycin
Terramycin capsules and powder can be administered along with your pet’s food for infections caused by wounds, tooth problems, pneumonia or sinuses.
When using it to treat eye problems, you should first wash your hands free of dirt. Then, introduce a small amount of Terramycin inside your pet’s lower eyelid after first pulling the eyelid down. It’s important that the tube of Terramycin is not left open unless necessary.
After the administration of the ointment, you should wash your hands once again. This process should be repeated 2 to 3 times a day or as advised by the vet. If the infection fails to clear up after a few days, a visit to the vet is imperative.
Side Effects of Terramycin:
- Permanent yellowing of teeth when administered to puppies
- Loss of appetite
- Digestive problems
- Kidney problems that can escalate to failure of the kidneys
- Severe allergic reaction such as itching and biting
- Small bumps on the skin
- Liver problems that can escalate to liver failure
Precautions You Must Take
Terramycin kills bacteria and is not discriminatory in nature. Hence, good bacteria that are present in your pet’s digestive tract are also killed by Terramycin. It’s essential to administer probiotics along with or after the treatment with Terramycin to restore bacterial balance in your pet’s body.
There is also the risk of drug interaction when Terramycin is administered with antacids. Besides this, Terramycin should not be administered to dogs that haven’t got their permanent teeth and dogs that are pregnant.
When using Terramycin from the tube, it’s important that the tip of the tube does not come into contact with any other surface other than your pet’s eye. Although Terramycin is very effective against bacterial infections, it has the potential to cause adverse side effects. It should therefore be applied only as prescribed by the vet.