Has your dog come down with a bout of red, itchy skin or maybe a stubborn cough with runny eyes and nose? If you’ve seen the vet and they’ve diagnosed your pup with a pesky bacterial infection, you might’ve received a prescription for cephalexin. (And if you haven’t been to the doc, you should schedule an appointment ASAP.)
Dr. Aliya McCullough, Fetch’s Chief Veterinary Officer and Director of Veterinary Affairs, explains how cephalexin benefits dogs and the potential side effects you should watch out for.
Cephalexin is a dog antibiotic that treats bacterial infections in the ears, skin, urinary and respiratory tracts, according to Dr. McCullough.
Although cephalexin is sometimes given to dogs via injection at the vet’s office, the antibiotic is typically sent home with pet parents in tablet, capsule or oral-liquid form. Talk to your veterinarian about the right version for your pup.
Veterinarians prescribe cephalexin depending on the severity of your dog’s bacterial infection. If they think cephalexin is unnecessary, they'll likely recommend an over-the-counter version. But, Dr. McCullough notes that a prescription medicine will probably make your pup feel better sooner. You might recognize cephalexin by brand names including Rilexine, Keflex and Vetolexin. You can get the guaranteed lowest price on Cephalexin and other medications for your dog on FetchPetRx.com.
Your veterinarian can decide the right cephalexin dosage and length of time your pup should take the antibiotic based on the type of infection, location, severity and your dog’s weight and age.
“While cephalexin is generally safe, too much can make a dog sick. Too little can cause their infection to worsen and contribute to antibiotic resistance,” Dr. McCullough shares.
Don’t look to online dosage calculators to figure out the correct amount of cephalexin to give your dog, Dr. McCullough cautions. Only your veterinarian can determine the safe and effective dosage for your pup.
And make sure your dog takes the entire course of antibiotics even if they start to get better, unless your veterinarian recommends stopping or decreasing the dosage.
If you suspect your pet may have taken more than their prescribed dosage, contact your veterinarian and/or poison control.
Your dog might experience some side effects when taking cephalexin, but you can help prevent them by giving the medication to your pup with a meal or snack.
Side effects of cephalexin may include:
Dr. McCullough suggests you ask your veterinarian if it’s OK for your dog to continue with their activities as usual while taking cephalexin. For example, your veterinarian may recommend skipping swimming sessions and incorporating a medicated shampoo into bath time in cases where they have a bacterial skin infection (like folliculitis).
Always speak with your vet if you have any questions about your dog’s medication or if you notice your dog exhibiting any unusual behaviors.
The Dig, Fetch Pet Insurance'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.
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