Antibiotics kill off harmful bacteria they target, but can also interfere with beneficial gut microbiomes, according to a 2020 study. Metronidazole appears especially detrimental.
Addition of probiotics such as Saccharomyces boulardii can assist the good bacteria to cope with Flagyl, thus significantly decreasing diarrhea caused by antibiotics.
Metronidazole For Dogs
Dosage
Your veterinarian will determine the dosage of metronidazole based on your pet’s specific condition. Oral administration of metronidazole comes in many forms including tablets, capsules, liquid suspension and compounded formulations that may appeal to dogs who refuse tablets or capsules.
Always follow instructions given by your vet as overdosing can result in serious side effects.
Metronidazole can help dogs by targeting bacteria and parasites with poor circulation or those that do not thrive when exposed to oxygen (anaerobic). By killing off anaerobic bacteria and parasites, metronidazole reduces the number of bad, pathogenic bacteria and thus can help prevent antibiotic-caused diarrhea in pets.
Incorporating Saccharomyces boulardii into their diet may further help avoid such issues as well as imbalanced gut bacteria imbalances that lead to antibiotic-caused diarrhea as well.
Should any serious side effects such as seizures; tremors; lack of muscle control or coordination vomiting eye twitching weakness or weakness occur contact your veterinarian immediately as metronidazole may even cause liver toxicity in rare instances in canines!
Administration
Metronidazole can be given orally to dogs as either a pill or liquid suspension; its exact dosage will depend on their unique medical needs, with an average prescription lasting seven to ten days.
This medication may lead to various side effects. Due to its bitter taste, excessive salivation (drooling), gagging and loss of appetite (anorexia) may occur as well as diarrhea or vomiting.
If your dog experiences these symptoms, immediately visit a veterinarian. He or she will perform a physical exam, blood work analysis and may recommend additional diagnostic testing such as an MRI and/or spinal tap.
AnimalBiome’s Gut Maintenance Plus contains Saccharomyces boulardii as an added probiotic, to aid with managing antibiotic-caused diarrhea in pets.
Potential side effects
As with any medication, metronidazole can cause side effects in dogs and cats similar to its human equivalent, including vomiting, diarrhea and liver problems. Additionally, its bitter taste can cause excess salivation, drooling and gagging from pets; using food-grade capsules will protect their mouth from this side effect.
Antibiotics often kill off beneficial bacteria found in your pet’s gut, leaving fewer of these key organisms that contribute to proper digestion and immune system functioning. In severe cases like hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (bloody diarrhea), this imbalance could make matters worse.
Probiotics and prebiotic fiber can help your pet reduce antibiotic-caused diarrhea by strengthening good gut bacteria while inhibiting pathogenic ones from growing. Your veterinarian might suggest products like AnimalBiome’s Gut Maintenance Plus which contains Saccharomyces boulardii yeast as well as fructooligosaccharide or PreforPro.
Precautions
Your veterinarian will prescribe a customized dosage plan based on the illness or infection being treated; for instance, dogs with giardiasis typically require 25 mg/kg every 12 hours for five days as part of treatment.
Metronidazole may be effective at treating various illnesses, including intestinal parasites and certain types of bacteria; however, its use does come with potential side effects that could alter the gut microbiome, potentially altering healthy bacteria populations that would normally reside there.
Metronidazole also has an extremely bitter flavor, leading to excessive salivation, drooling or foaming at the mouth in cats and dogs. Furthermore, this medication may reduce appetite substantially or even cause them to stop eating altogether.
This medication may interact with several drugs, including chemotherapy medications, gastro protectants, cimetidine (Tagamet), cyclosporine, phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital (Coumadin) and warfarin.
Be sure to inform your vet of all other prescription or over-the-counter medicines your dog is taking; they will be able to assist in identifying potential drug interactions and help avoid possible drug interactions.
How Long Does It Take for Metronidazole to Work in Dogs
Determining the Duration of Metronidazole Treatment
The duration of metronidazole treatment in dogs is determined by the specific condition being treated and should be determined by a veterinarian.
The typical dosage of metronidazole ranges from 10-30 milligrams per kilogram, given two to three times a day. Most dogs will require this medication for a minimum of five to seven days, although some conditions may require treatment for a month or longer.
Effectiveness in Treating Diarrhea and Other Uses
A clinical trial demonstrated that metronidazole-treated dogs experienced a reduction in the duration of diarrhea by approximately 1.5 days compared to those receiving a placebo.
Veterinarians commonly prescribe metronidazole to address severe diarrhea in dogs. It is also frequently used for dental infections due to its ability to penetrate bone. Additionally, its anti-inflammatory effects make it valuable in treating inflammatory bowel disease.
Potential Adverse Effects
Metronidazole is generally not associated with significant adverse effects.
However, high doses may lead to clinical signs of neurotoxicity in dogs, such as tremors, muscle spasms, ataxia, and even convulsions. Reversible bone marrow depression has been reported as well. It is worth noting that metronidazole can cause a reddish-brown discoloration of urine due to unidentified pigments.
Can Metronidazole Be Used to Treat Dental Infections in Dogs
Metronidazole is indeed effective for treating dental infections in dogs. As an antibiotic, it is commonly used to address protozoal and anaerobic bacterial infections. Moreover, it possesses anti-inflammatory effects in the bowel. Metronidazole exhibits bactericidal properties, disrupting the DNA of bacterial microorganisms.
In addition to infections in the digestive tract, metronidazole is frequently employed to treat abscesses, peritonitis, genital tract infections, periodontitis, osteitis, arthritis, and meningitis in dogs. A study revealed that administering metronidazole systemically over a 28-day period effectively reduces plaque and gingivitis in dogs.
Usage and Veterinary Considerations
Although metronidazole is not FDA approved for use in animals, it is widely utilized in veterinary practice. Veterinarians have the legal authority to prescribe certain human drugs for animals under specific circumstances, known as extra-label or off-label use. Prior to considering metronidazole for your pet, consult with your veterinarian to determine its suitability.
Metronidazole is a prescription drug, and it cannot be ordered online without veterinary approval. In certain cases, dog metronidazole may be prescribed alongside other antibiotics, depending on the initial diagnosis of the dog’s condition.
What Is the Generally Accepted Dose Range for Metronidazole in Dogs
The generally accepted dose range for metronidazole in dogs is 5-20mg per kilogram (2.2lb) of the dog’s body weight. The most common metronidazole dosage prescribed by veterinarians is 5 to 7 mg per pound orally every 12 hours. Lower doses may be prescribed if the dog has liver disease or other conditions that increase the risk of side effects.
Typically, veterinarians do not exceed 10 mg per pound due to the higher potential for side effects and toxicity.
The typical metronidazole dose for dogs is 10 to 25 mg per kilogram of body weight, administered twice daily (every 12 hours). The dosage usually falls within the range of 10-30 milligrams per kilogram, given two to three times daily.
When treating Giardia, metronidazole is often administered at a dosage of 7 to 11 mg per pound every 24 hours, but higher doses of up to 29.5 mg per pound may be necessary in certain cases as determined by the veterinarian.
It is important to adhere to the duration of metronidazole treatment as directed by your veterinarian. Typically, veterinarians prescribe metronidazole for a duration of 5 to 10 days, depending on the specific condition being treated.
