{"id":59066,"date":"2023-06-28T14:22:44","date_gmt":"2023-06-28T18:22:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=59066"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:38:51","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:38:51","slug":"metronidazole-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/metronidazole-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Metronidazole for dogs: What you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Man’s best friend is really the perfect name for our sweet little pooches. We love them so much and would basically do anything to make sure our dogs are happy and healthy. So when our dogs get sick and can’t tell us what’s wrong, we rush them to the vet and go with whatever they prescribe. <\/span><\/p>\n

If your vet has recently prescribed your canine metronidazole and you’d like to learn more about it, we’ve gone to the veterinary medicine experts to find out everything you need to know. <\/span><\/p>\n

What is metronidazole?<\/span><\/h2>\n

“Metronidazole is an antibiotic medication commonly prescribed for dogs,” said Dr. Kathryn Rosalie Dench, a veterinary surgeon, adviser, and writer at <\/span>GentleDog Trainers<\/span><\/a>, a recognized authority in pet care. “It belongs to a class of drugs known as nitroimidazoles and is effective against a variety of bacterial and protozoal infections.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Along with being prescribed for dogs, metronidazole, sold under the <\/span>brand name Flagyl<\/span><\/a> can also be used for humans, horses, and cats. Metronidazole has not been FDA approved for small animals, but numerous studies have found scientific evidence that proves it can help with various conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Uses of metronidazole in dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n

Metronidazole<\/span><\/a> is an antibiotic that can be used for several different reasons. <\/span><\/p>\n

“It is commonly used to treat gastrointestinal infections caused by certain bacteria or parasites, such as Giardia or Clostridium,” said Dr. Rosalie Dench. <\/span><\/p>\n

If your dog has any infections in their mouth, on their skin, or any other areas of the body, it’s also possible your veterinarian may prescribe metronidazole to treat the infection and prevent it from spreading further. <\/span><\/p>\n

Metronidazole has anti-inflammatory effects within the gastrointestinal system and can help with diarrhea and symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

Metronidazole does best with anaerobic bacteria, meaning germs that thrive without oxygen, so they do particularly well helping infections that cause diarrhea. <\/span><\/p>\n

Metronidazole dosage for dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n

“The proper dosage of Metronidazole for dogs depends on the type and severity of infection being treated,” said <\/span>Ellen Russell, DVM, MPH<\/span><\/a>, a veterinarian at <\/span>The Malamute Mom<\/span><\/a>. “Generally speaking, it is recommended that a dose of 5 to 10 mg per pound of body weight be administered two times daily for five to seven days.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The dosage and length of treatment depends on the condition Metronidazole is being used to treat. Because the dose is based on the weight of the dog, small dogs will get lower doses while larger dogs will have high doses. Dr. Russell also warned pet parents, “It is important to never exceed the prescribed dosage, as this can be harmful to the dog.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Who should not use metronidazole for dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are some dogs that may not be able to take metronidazole. This includes:<\/span><\/p>\n