Should I give my dog Clavamox?
Watch out for these side effects when giving your dog Clavamox.
One thing that pet parenthood is sorely missing is the ability to talk to our pets. It would help to know if they prefer chicken or ground turkey, fetch or tug-of-war or even tell us immediately when they’re feeling a little under the weather. But pet parents are lucky to have veterinarians guiding us through those sickly moments by diagnosing our best friends and providing treatment options to support their recovery.
Clavamox, which is a medication commonly used to treat bacterial infections, is something you might hear of if your pet shows signs of sickness. But if you haven’t heard of it, here’s the full download on this antibiotic.
What is Clavamox for dogs?
Clavamox is an antibiotic that combines amoxicillin and clavulanic acid. These two treatment options are often prescribed together because they simultaneously treat bacterial infections while keeping the bacteria at bay so the antibiotic can do its job, Dr. Aliya McCullough, Fetch’s on-staff veterinarian, explains.
Your dog will be prescribed Clavamox in one of two forms: via a tablet or as an orally administered liquid. It’s essential to give your dog the entire dosage prescribed by their veterinarian to ensure they don’t grow resistant to Clavamox, making it more difficult to fight off future infections.
What does Clavamox treat?
Whether your pup got a scratch at the dog park or they can’t seem to recover from a pesky skin ailment, Clavamox might be your vet’s recommended treatment option.
“Veterinarians typically prescribe Clavamox to treat respiratory infections, skin infections, infected bite wounds, dental infections and urinary tract infections in dogs,” Dr. McCullough says.
Dosage amounts of Clavamox depend on the condition it’s treating, so follow your veterinarian’s treatment guidelines when administering this and any antibiotic.
After starting medication, your dog will likely feel better within a couple of days. While rare, keep an eye on your pet for signs of an allergic reaction to the medication, which include swelling, difficulty breathing and a rash.
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What are the side effects of Clavamox?
Although Clavamox might cause your pup to have an upset stomach, it’s worth it, in the long run, to keep certain bacteria strains from causing further illness in your dog. In some instances, stomach upset from Clavamox can lead to vomiting or diarrhea.
“The most common side effect of Clavamox is nausea and stomach upset,” Dr. McCullough explains. “Giving this medication with food can help prevent this.”
While your dog heals from bacterial infection with a Clavamox treatment plan, be sure they’re eating and have fresh water that’s easily accessible. And don’t forget the extra snuggles. After a visit to the veterinarian and a new medication, your dog deserves lots of love and TLC until they are back in tip-top shape.
The Dig, Fetch's expert-backed editorial, answers all of the questions you forget to ask your vet or are too embarrassed to ask at the dog park. We help make sure you and your best friend have more good days, but we’re there on bad days, too.
Photo by Nima Naseri on Unsplash
