Enrofloxacin (Baytril)

Enrofloxacin

Antibiotic
(Baytril)
By Dr. Karen Burgess

• Enrofloxacin (generic)
• Baytril (animal formula, not approved for human use)
• Ciprofloxacin (similar human formula, not as reliable in animals)
• Tablets, Capsules, injectable

What is Enrofloxacin?
Enrofloxacin is an antibiotic in the fluoroquinolone family that is a good choice for a variety of infections. Considered a broad spectrum antibiotic, Enrofloxacin is often considered more of a “big gun” antibiotic, often reserved for more serious or resistant infections such as Pseudomonas. Bacterial resistance is a growing concern in medicine and one reason fluoroquinolones as a class should be used judiciously.

How is Enrofloxacin given and what if a dose is missed?
Enrofloxacin is typically prescribed for once daily dosing. If a dose is missed and it is relatively recent, administer said dose. Do not give two doses at once.

How should Enrofloxacin be stored?
No special considerations.

What is Enrofloxacin’s background?
Pseudomonas has historically been a difficult bacteria for antibiotics to kill. The fluoroquinolone class of antibiotics, including enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, were developed in the 1980’s and provide a good oral option for killing this and several other types of previously challenging bacteria.

What pets should not take Enrofloxacin?
Dogs should be at least 8 months old to take enrofloxacin to avoid possible cartilage damage. Caution should be used in patients with seizures as enrofloxacin may lower the seizure threshold. The safety margin in cats in quite narrow and doses greater than 5 mg/kg have been associated with irreversible blindness.

What side effects are associated with Enrofloxacin?
Enrofloxacin at standard doses is typically not associated with any side effects in dogs. Some cats will develop a fever response to Enrofloxacin therapy.

What drugs should not be given with Enrofloxacin?
Enrofloxacin should not be given within 2 hours of sucralfate and some antacids.

What follow up is necessary with Doxycycline use?
Medication should be used for some time after signs of illness or disease are gone. Notify us if a refill is necessary.

• Doxycycline (generic)
• Vibramycin (brand name)
• Minocycline (similar formula, reliability not as proven in animals)
• Tablets, Capsules

What is Doxycycline?

In the tetracycline family of antibiotics which are bacteriostatic (hinder bacteria reproduction as opposed to killing bacteria). Doxycycline is known to be effective against a variety of tick borne infections, Leptospira, Chlamydia, Mycoplasma, and Bordetella. It also can affect several gram positive and negative bacteria. Doxycycline has also been used in conjunction with ivermectin in the treatment of heartworm disease. Doxycycline is also thought to have some anti-inflammatory effects.

How is Doxycycline given and what if a dose is missed?
Doxycycline is typically prescribed for once or twice daily dosing. If a dose is missed and it is relatively recent, administer said dose.

How should Doxycycline be stored?
Store in light resistant container. Liquid formulations lose their potency in a week.

What pets should not take Doxycycline?
Caution should be taken with use in dogs with liver enzyme elevation. Young growing animals may develop permanent tooth staining with doxycycline use.

What side effects are associated with Doxycycline?
Doxycycline may cause nausea and vomiting in some dogs. Giving on a full stomach may help with these signs. Liver enzymes will elevate in as many as 40% of treated dogs. The significance of this is unknown. Cats should not be given doxycycline “dry” due to a risk of esophageal stricture. Always follow tablet or capsules with a minimum of 6 mls of water in cats.

What drugs should not be given with Doxycycline?
Doxycycline should not be given within 2 hours of some antacids. Phenobarbital therapy may be affected by doxycycline use.

What follow up is necessary with Doxycycline use?
Medication should be used for some time after signs of illness or disease are gone. Notify us if a refill is necessary.

Deracoxib (Deramaxx), Canine

Deracoxib (Dogs Only)

NSAID
(Deramaxx)
By Dr. Karen Burgess

• Deramaxx
• Tablets, Chewable Tablets, and Injectable

What is deracoxib used for?
Deracoxib is labeled for the treatment of inflammation and pain that is often used in the management of osteoarthritis in dogs only. It is also commonly prescribed after surgery and to treat soft tissue injuries such as sprains/strains.

What is deracoxib?
Deracoxib is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID). While deracoxib is not used in humans, common human NSAIDs include include aspirin, Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), Celebrex (celecoxib) and Vioxx (rofecoxib). Dogs and humans do not metabolize NSAIDs in the same way and for this reason human NSAIDS should never be given to dogs.

How is deracoxib given and what if a dose is missed?
Deracoxib is typically prescribed for once daily dosing. If a dose is missed and it is less than 12 hours late, go ahead and give missed dose. If it is within 12 hours of the next dose, skip a dose and resume regular schedule with next dose. Care should be taken to not allow dogs access to the pill container of chewable Rimadyl as it is very palatable and overdose can occur with excessive ingestion.

What is deracoxib’s background and what side effects are associated with deracoxib?

NSAIDs as a class have been associated with stomach ulceration and potential rupture, platelet dysfunction leading to potential clotting issues, and kidney failure related to decreased blood flow to the kidneys.

Approximately 1 out of 1000 chance that a dog put on deracoxib will develop gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. If these signs develop, the medication should be stopped and follow up laboratory work performed to evaluate for more significant problems. Approximately 1 in 5000 will develop an idiosyncratic (meaning not dose dependent or predictable) reaction affecting the liver. This potentially fatal reaction often presents initially looking very similar to those that just have mild stomach upset. Blood tests help differentiate between the two conditions.

Dogs with decreased liver or kidney function may show worsening of their condition on Rimadyl. For this reason bloodwork is typically recommended prior to and after two weeks of therapy with deracoxib.

What drugs should not be given with deracoxib?
NSAIDs as a class should never be given at the same time as another NSAID or steroid. This can be life threatening. There should be a seven day “washout” period when changing from one NSAID to another. If aspirin has been given, another NSAID should not be given for fourteen days. Phenobarbital and enalapril may also be problematic if used in conjunction with deracoxib.

What follow up is necessary with deracoxib use?
Laboratory work should ideally be done prior to deracoxib use and then again 2 weeks later. Maintenance testing should then occur at a minimum of once a year.

• Cephalexin (generic)
• Keflex (human formula)
• Tablets, Capsules, and Liquid

What is Cephalexin?
Cephalexin is an antibiotic in the cephalosporin family that is a good choice for “gram positive” infections. Considered a broad spectrum antibiotic, cephalexin is a good choice for many general infections of unknown origin. Skin infections are commonly treated with cephalexin.

How is Cephalexin given and what if a dose is missed?
Cephalexin is typically prescribed for twice daily dosing. If a dose is missed and it is less than 12 hours late, go ahead and give missed dose. If it is within 12 hours of the next dose, skip a dose and resume regular schedule with next dose. It may be helpful to give on a full stomach.

How should Cephalexin be stored?
The liquid formula should ideally be refrigerated and discarded after 14 days.

What is Cephalexin’s background?
Penicillin was developed in the late 1800’s and became popular in 1943 when it was used during World War II. There are several limitations with the penicillin class which are addressed by the cephalosporin class of antibiotics.

What side effects are associated with Cephalexin?
Cephalexin may cause nausea and vomiting in some dogs. Giving on a full stomach may help with these signs. Some cats will develop a fever in response to cephalexin therapy.

What drugs should not be given with Cephalexin?
There are no specific drug interactions.

What follow up is necessary with Cephalexin use?
Medication should be used for some time after signs of illness or disease are gone. Notify us if a refill is necessary.

Carprofen (Rimadyl), Canine

Carprofen (Dogs Only)

NSAID
(Rimadyl)
By Dr. Karen Burgess

• Rimadyl and generic
• Tablets, Chewable Tablets, and Injectable

What is carprofen used for?

Carprofen is labeled for the treatment of inflammation and pain that is often used in the management of osteoarthritis in dogs only. It is also commonly prescribed after surgery and to treat soft tissue injuries such as sprains/strains.

What is carprofen?

Carprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID). While carprofen is not used in humans, common human NSAIDs include include aspirin, Advil (ibuprofen), Aleve (naproxen), Celebrex (celecoxib) and Vioxx (rofecoxib). Dogs and humans do not metabolize NSAIDs in the same way and for this reason human NSAIDS should never be given to dogs.

How is carprofen given and what if a dose is missed?

Carprofen is typically prescribed for once daily dosing. If a dose is missed and it is less than 12 hours late, go ahead and give missed dose. If it is within 12 hours of the next dose, skip a dose and resume regular schedule with next dose. Care should be taken to not allow dogs access to the pill container of chewable Rimadyl as it is very palatable and overdose can occur with excessive ingestion.

What is carprofen’s background and what side effects are associated with carprofen?

NSAIDs as a class have been associated with stomach ulceration and potential rupture, platelet dysfunction leading to potential clotting issues, and kidney failure related to decreased blood flow to the kidneys. Rimadyl (carprofen) was developed in 1997 as an NSAID option for dogs that would minimize these potential side effects.

Approximately 1 out of 1000 chance that a dog put on carprofen will develop gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. If these signs develop, the medication should be stopped and follow up laboratory work performed to evaluate for more significant problems. Approximately 1 in 5000 will develop an idiosyncratic (meaning not dose dependent or predictable) reaction affecting the liver. This potentially fatal reaction often presents initially looking very similar to those that just have mild stomach upset. Blood tests help differentiate between the two conditions.

Dogs with decreased liver or kidney function may show worsening of their condition on Rimadyl. For this reason bloodwork is typically recommended prior to and after two weeks of therapy with carprofen.

What drugs should not be given with carprofen?

NSAIDs as a class should never be given at the same time as another NSAID or steroid. This can be life threatening. There should be a seven day “washout” period when changing from one NSAID to another. If aspirin has been given, another NSAID should not be given for fourteen days. Phenobarbital and enalapril may also be problematic if used in conjunction with carprofen.

What follow up is necessary with carprofen use?

Laboratory work should ideally be done prior to carprofen use and then again 2 weeks later. Maintenance testing should then occur at a minimum of once a year.