Clavamox for Dogs and Its Side Effects

There are many antibiotics to choose from when treating your dog’s bacterial infection. One of the popular options for treatment is Clavamox, an antibiotic that falls under the penicillin family. Manufactured by Zoetis, this antibiotic is effective at treating many skin and soft tissue infections caused by skin wounds, in dogs.

How Does Clavamox Work?

Clavamox combines amoxicillin trihydrate and clavulanic acid, making it a good broad spectrum antibiotic. Amoxicillin is a long lasting, enduring antibiotic that is easily absorbed and is effective against gram negative and gram positive bacteria. Clavulanic acid allows the amoxicillin to effectively combat even more strains of bacteria that would typically be resistant against amoxicillin. This combination has proven specifically effective against β-lactamase producing bacteria strains such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bordetella bronchiseptica, E. coli, Salmonella typhimurium and numerous other problematic strains of bacteria. Additionally, Clavamox is equally effective on gram positive and gram negative bacterial strains. While this antibiotic offers numerous benefits to dogs that are taking it, it must be administered properly for it to work properly.

Side Effects

One of the main concerns with any antibiotic in the penicillin family is the risk for potential allergies. If your dog is allergic to penicillins or cephalosporins, do not administer Clavamox. Allergic reactions should be taken seriously and should be reported to your veterinarian as soon as they are noticed. No other side effects have been reported with Clavamox, but it is important to notify your veterinarian if your dog is on any other medications such as other antibiotics, probenecid or allopurinol as these may have negative interactions with Clavamox. In addition, be sure to mention any over the counter supplements your pet may be on before starting Clavamox.

Other Considerations

If you miss administering a dose , make sure to give the next dose as soon as possible. If you are due to give the next dose soon, however, skip the missed dose altogether. Giving two doses at once may result in overdose. Consult your veterinarian if your pet is pregnant before administering Clavamox. Lastly, administer this medication according to your veterinarian's instructions as they will be able to prescribe the best care regimen for you dog.