Content
- What is Cephalexin?
- What is cephalexin used for in dogs?
- Can I use cephalexin for a dog with mange?
- Cephalexin dose for dog by weight
- Contraindications and side effects of cephalexin for dogs
Cephalexin is an antibiotic indicated for the treatment of different infections caused by bacteria, as we will see in this PeritoAnimal article. It is a common medicine in human and veterinary medicine, that is, cephalexin for dogs can be included in certain treatments, as long as prescribed by the veterinarian, of course.
It is very important that antibiotics are administered only with the dosage and guidelines indicated in the veterinary clinic, otherwise the animal could suffer serious consequences for its health. Keep reading to find out all about cephalexin for dogs, what is it for, what is the recommended dose and what side effects it may have.
What is Cephalexin?
Cephalexin is a drug broad spectrum antibiotic. Speaking of a more specific way, it's a cephalosporin of first generation calls. It is a beta-lactam antibiotic that works by binding, within the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane, to the enzymes responsible for the formation of the cell wall. This prevents them from being properly protected and eventually leads to the bacteria's death.
Cephalexin for dogs is the same as for humans, but it is marketed by different laboratories, some specifically for veterinary use. As this medication exists for humans and animals, it is advisable to choose veterinary cephalexin as it is formulated for dogs. In fact, depending on the legislation in force in your place of residence, your veterinarian may only need to prescribe cephalexin for dogs.
What is cephalexin used for in dogs?
As it is an antibiotic, cephalexin for dogs is used to fight bacterial infections produced by bacteria sensitive to this drug, among which the beta-hemolytic streptococci stand out, staphylococcus intermedius and aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Pasterulla or salmonella. Therefore, it is active against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, although in the latter the drug's efficacy is considered variable.
Cephalexin for dogs can be prescribed for the treatment of pyoderma, which are skin infections, both superficial and deep, and other bacterial infections such as osteoarticular, or those that affect the genitourinary system, the so-called soft tissues, ear or airways. As we can see, it is an antibiotic that is effective only to treat specific diseases, so it is the veterinarian who should recommend its use. You should never medicate your dog on your own, much less when it comes to antibiotics. Misuse can create resistance that makes antibiotics ineffective, so that stronger antibiotics will increasingly have to be resorted to, with all the associated risks.
Can I use cephalexin for a dog with mange?
Scabies in dogs is a disease caused by mites, so cephalexin will not be the proper treatment. The veterinarian will indicate the best treatment according to the type of scabies.
Cephalexin dose for dog by weight
What is the dose of cephalexin for a dog? The dose of cephalexin it will depend on your dog's weight and of the chosen presentation of the drug, since cephalexin syrup is not the same thing as injectable cephalexin or in tablets, tablets or capsules. The veterinarian will prescribe the most appropriate presentation for your dog, taking into account the disease and seeking the simplest and least stressful way of administration for the animal.
In addition, to determine the dose and schedule of administration, it is necessary to take into account the type of infection and the pathogen causing it, which can be determined by performing a culture. Cephalexin can be administered every 12 or 8 hours, depending on veterinary criteria.It is important to know that the administration of cephalexin for oral use in food is recommended to avoid its side effects, which are basically digestive in nature. It can also be fragmented to facilitate mixing with food.
The dose scheduled for the oral route varies between 20 and 60 mg per kg of weight of the dog and should be maintained for about 5-7 days after the symptoms resolve, as the veterinarian will indicate. Treatments are prolonged, lasting several weeks. It is very important that the veterinarian adjusts the dose and, for this, it is necessary to weigh the dog correctly. You should be concerned about administering the medicine completely because if the amount is insufficient it will not be effective.
The price of veterinary cephalexin will vary considerably depending on the brand and format prescribed by the veterinarian. As an example, you can find boxes with 10 pills for around R$70.00.
Contraindications and side effects of cephalexin for dogs
Cephalexin is contraindicated for all dogs that are hypersensitive to cephalosporins. Among its side effects the most common are the digestive type when cephalexin is given orally. These include nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, usually mild. Therefore, it is recommended to offer this medicine with some type of food. If these side effects do not resolve or worsen, treatment should be stopped and the veterinarian notified immediately.
not recommended give cephalexin to female dogs during pregnancy or during lactation, as there is still no data on its safety in relation to fetuses or puppies. Only the veterinarian can assess the risks and decide to prescribe it or not. The same goes for puppies that suffer from kidney failure.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.