Login 
Where would the veterinary world be without antibiotics? Few medications are as important or as lifesaving as antibiotics. They are invaluable when it comes to treating all sorts of bacterial infections in dogs and preventing new ones. But in order to keep antibiotics effective, we have to use them responsibly. Not every illness in dogs needs antibiotics and not every antibiotic is safe for dogs to have. So, when it comes to human antibiotics for dogs, don’t give anything unless prescribed by a veterinarian.
When do Dogs Need Antibiotics?
Bacteria are everywhere, and I mean everywhere! They are in the soil, on nearly every surface our dogs touch, they’re even on our dog’s skin and in their bodies. Fortunately, a dog’s immune system is aware of this and works around the clock to keep those bacteria numbers in check. You see, a dog’s body is capable of controlling small numbers of bad bacteria, assuming the dog is healthy and their immune system is functioning optimally. But sometimes the numbers of bacteria become overwhelming, exhausting all of the immune system’s resources. This is when an infection pops up.
Even though immunity is a wonderous system, it can’t always do it alone. For those times, there are antibiotics. These medications target bacteria to either kill them or at least prevent them from growing and reproducing until the immune system can gain back its control.
Bacterial infections can happen in all areas of the body, with dogs frequently needing antibiotics for infections in the mouth, lungs, skin, digestive tract, and urinary system. Even hair follicles can become infected, something called folliculitis in dogs. They can also be given following surgery or viral infection in order to keep a bacterial infection from gaining ground, sort of nipping it in the bud before it comes to fruition.
Antibiotics may be especially important in dogs that have a subpar immune system, whether that be in puppies where their immune system is still in development mode or in senior dogs where their immune army is waning.
Common Antibiotics Prescribed in Dogs
Unfortunately for the trillions of bacteria out there—but fortunately for our dogs! —veterinarians have many antibiotics at their disposal. Some of these are broad spectrum, which means they work against many different types of bacteria, and some are more specialized, choosing to target specific strains.
Some common antibiotics that your vet will reach for include:
Amoxicillin: used for skin, ears, urinary tract infections, and more
Metronidazole: mainly used for diarrhea
Cefazolin/cephalexin: a major one for skin infections
Enrofloxacin: this one is brought in for tough to cure infections or long-term use
Doxycycline: a good one to treat tick-borne diseases
Risks of Using Human Antibiotics for Dogs
You may recognize some of the antibiotics on the above list. Maybe you even have an unused portion in your medicine cabinet. But here’s the deal: don’t use antibiotics prescribed for humans on your dog. Even though they may be the same drug, the concentration and dosage are going to be different.
Don’t try to give a smaller dose of your medications to your dog either, unless your vet tells you to. Again, the concentrations of human antibiotics might not be okay for dogs, and you could cause some very unwanted side effects.
Since there are no over the counter antibiotics for dogs, except for some antibiotic ointments, this means you’ll need to see a vet if your dog has an infection. Human antibiotics are not for dogs.
And that brings us to the importance of pet insurance for dogs. Pet health insurance has your financial back when your pup is sick, allowing you to focus on their care and less on the bill. Does pet insurance cover medication? That depends on your policy, so be sure you know what’s covered before your visit.
Side Effects of Antibiotics in Dogs
The reason that dose and concentration are so important when it comes to prescribing antibiotics for dogs is an incorrect dose is more likely to have bad side effects. This is not a more is better situation, and higher doses can increase the severity of the side effects.
Possible side effects of antibiotics may be:
Not eating
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Drooling
Some dogs may have an allergic reaction to antibiotics that may include hives, rashes, or difficulty breathing. If your dog is having an allergic reaction to a medication, see your vet as soon as possible.
Antibiotic Resistance Concerns
Side effects aside, a real issue with giving human antibiotics to dogs is increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance. This is when bacteria get wise to a medication and mutate so that it no longer kills them. Giving antibiotics when they aren’t necessary or using an improper dose are great ways to educate bacteria on what they need to do to evade our best medications.
What happens then is common bacterial infections can become more difficult to treat, and a simple issue quickly becomes a big mess. So, never give your dog human antibiotics, instead see your vet for a proper prescription.
Combining Probiotics with Antibiotic Treatment
Remember that there are bacteria everywhere, but not all of them cause problems. In fact, some are very beneficial and even necessary for your dog to thrive. While antibiotics are fantastic at killing bad bacteria, they can also kill the good ones as they wage their war.
Killing good bacteria can lead to digestive issues which can be helped by giving your pup probiotics at the same time. Another name for probiotics is “the good gut bacteria.” These are the guys that you want in your dog’s gut, aiding in digestion and immune function.
Probiotics can be found in many supplements or dog foods that have added probiotics, but they can also be found naturally in some foods. Yogurt and kefir are great options. Just be sure you’re using a plain, no sugar-added version so that you don’t make their digestive issues worse. See your vet for dosing guidelines.
So, What Antibiotics Can You Give Your Dog?
Antibiotics are invaluable in the human and veterinary world, but they shouldn’t mix. Even though many antibiotics used for humans can be used in dogs, the concentration and dosage may not be right. Instead of cleaning out your medicine cabinet the next time your dog is in need of antibiotics, see your vet to ensure your dog is getting the proper treatment.