Antibiotics for Dogs: Your Guide to 11 Common Types and What They Treat

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Antibiotics are powerful weapons in the fight against a wide range of diseases - in both people and dogs. Advances in the development of new antibiotics have led to a wide range of potential treatments that are safe and effective in dogs.

Antibiotics are used to treat many types of infections in dogs that are caused by bacteria, or in some cases, parasites. Here's what you need to know about this widely used type of medication.

What conditions can antibiotics treat in dogs?

Antibiotics can treat several conditions common in dogs, including:

• Skin infections

• Respiratory tract infections

• Urinary tract infections

• Digestive issues caused by bacteria

• Dental diseases

• Bone and joint infections

• Parasites such as giardia

• Ear infections

• Swollen lumps or tissues (abscesses)

What are the different types of antibiotics for dogs?

There are many different types of antibiotics for dogs. The type your veterinarian will prescribe for your dog will depend on what they're treating. Below we cover the most common classes (or groups) of antibiotics for dogs and what they treat.

1. Aminoglycosides

Aminoglycoside antibiotics are used to treat ear, skin, and eye infections caused by a specific type of bacteria called gram-negative bacteria.

Medications in this class include gentamicin, amikacin, and streptomycin. The topical treatment Mometamax - which includes gentamicin, plus an antifungal and steroid - can be effective against some ear infections.

2. Amphenicols

Amphenicols, specifically chloramphenicol, are broad-spectrum antibiotics. This means they can be used to kill gram-negative, gram-positive, and "anaerobic" bacteria, which don't need oxygen to survive.

Chloramphenicol is an amphenicol that's used to treat a wide range of lung, stomach, and urinary infections in dogs.

3. Cephalosporins

Cephalosporins are broad-spectrum antibiotics that block the ability of bacterial cells to strengthen their walls, causing the cells to die.

Vets often prescribe the cephalosporin antibiotic cefovecin (Convenia) to treat skin infections and urinary tract infections in dogs.

4. Fluoroquinolones

Fluoroquinolone antibiotics work against a wide variety of bacteria by preventing the bacteria from replicating, ultimately wiping out the infection.

Several topical formulations of these antibiotics are prescribed as drops to treat ear and eye infections in dogs, including:

• Enrofloxacin

• Ciprofloxacin

• Ofloxacin

5. Imidazoles

Imidazole antibiotics kill bacteria by disrupting the creation of DNA in their cells. One popular antibiotic in this class for dogs is metronidazole.

This medication can treat a wide range of infections, including liver infections and intestinal bugs that cause diarrhea, such as giardia.

6. Lincosamides

Lincosamide antibiotics interfere with the creation of key proteins that some bacteria need to survive. In this class, clindamycin is commonly prescribed to dogs to treat skin, dental, or bone infections.

7. Macrolides

Macrolide antibiotics disrupt protein creation in gram-positive bacteria. They are particularly useful in treating some respiratory infections in dogs, including pneumonia. They are also used to treat ear, skin, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract infections.

Commonly prescribed macrolides include:

• Tylosin

• Erythromycin

• Azithromycin

8. Penicillins

Penicillins, including the widely prescribed amoxicillin, are a go-to for treating a wide range of infections in dogs. They work by damaging the cell walls of the infectious organism and are prescribed to treat:

• Lyme disease

• Leptospirosis

• Bite wounds

• Skin infections

• Bone infections

• Respiratory tract infections

• Infections in the intestines

• Urinary tract infections

Penicillin antibiotics are often combined with other antibiotics to boost their bacteria-killing power.

9. Tetracyclines

Tetracycline antibiotics such as doxycycline work by preventing some types of bacteria from growing. They are prescribed to dogs to treat tick-borne illnesses such as:

• Lyme disease

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever

• Leptospirosis

• Dental disease

• Some respiratory infections, including kennel cough

10. Polypeptides

Polypeptide antibiotics are available in popular over-the-counter topical ointments, such as Neosporin. Neosporin is a combination of bacitracin, polymyxin B, and neomycin.

Polypeptides disrupt the cell membranes of gram-negative bacteria. They are useful for treating minor skin scrapes in dogs and preventing them from becoming infected. But these antibiotics can be toxic if your dog licks them, so it's a good idea to consult your vet before using them.

11. Sulfonamides

Sulfonamide antibiotics interfere with the growth and reproduction of some bacteria and parasites. Examples of antibiotics in this class include sulfadimethoxine and sulfamethoxazole.

Veterinarians use them to treat the parasitic disease coccidiosis in dogs, as well as some infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, and skin.

How do you use antibiotics for dogs?

Depending on your dog's diagnosis, your vet will prescribe antibiotics either in topical form, such as a skin ointment or ear drop, or in an oral pill or liquid. In some cases, your vet may decide to administer an antibiotic intravenously in their clinic.

Follow your vet's exact instructions for dosage and how often to give the medication. This will make the infection less likely to come back.

Using antibiotics exactly as they're prescribed also reduces the risk of antibiotic resistance - a major concern in both human and animal health.

What are the side effects of antibiotics for dogs?

When used as directed, antibiotics rarely cause side effects in dogs. But when they do, symptoms can include:

• Diarrhea

• Nausea and/or vomiting

• Loss of appetite

• Fatigue

• Redness or irritation where a topical medication was applied

Some dogs are allergic to antibiotics. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include a rash or hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the face and neck. If you see any side effects in your dog, consult your vet for next steps.

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