Any dog showing symptoms of a urinary tract infection should be taken to a veterinarian.
Cefpodoxime for dogs is an antibiotic from the cephalosporin family. It is classified as a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which means that it is used effectively to treat a wide variety of infections. The main benefit this medication has over penicillin medications for dogs is the variety of bacteria it is effective against.
One use of cefpodoxime for dogs is in urinary tract infections. As in humans, this infection occurs when bacteria enter the urinary tract and grow. Symptoms include frequent urination, difficulty urinating, house urination in domestic dogs, and lethargy. Any dog displaying these symptoms should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Cefpodoxime can be effective in the treatment of wounds obtained in dog fights.
Infected wounds are common in dogs, who may fight or accidentally hurt each other while exploring outdoors. Symptoms of infection include redness, swelling, and discharge from the wound. These infections can be treated with cefpodoxime, which is particularly effective against the common staphylococcal and streptococcal skin bacteria.
Pneumonia, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi, is also treated with cefpodoxime for dogs. Symptoms include fever, cough and rapid breathing and are most often found in puppies and older dogs. Cefpodoxime is only effective against bacterial cases of pneumonia.
Cefpodoxime for dogs is available by prescription only.
Side effects of cefpodoxime for dogs are not usually serious. Some dogs may have diarrhea and loss of appetite. An allergic reaction can occur in some dogs, especially those that have reacted to penicillin. A dog that vomits after receiving this drug is sensitive and should be prescribed a different antibiotic. Dogs that are pregnant or nursing may not be able to take this drug safely.
Cefpodoxin for dogs comes in pill form.
The typical dose of cefpodoxime for dogs is 2.3 to 4.5 milligrams per kilogram of the dog’s weight. One tablet is administered every 24 hours; treatment should generally be continued for the prescribed period of time. The dog may look better after a few days of antibiotics, but the infection may return and may even be more resistant to treatment if the medication is stopped prematurely.
Cefpodoxime tablets can be mixed with a dog’s food.
It can be difficult to give a dog an oral medication. When giving pills, it can be helpful to form a ball of food, such as bread or wet dog food, and hide the pill in the middle. If the dog does not eat the food or spits out the pill, it may be necessary for the owner to open the dog’s mouth and insert the pill as far back on the tongue as possible. Since manually inserting a pill into a dog’s mouth can result in a bite, there are special devices available to inject the pill into the dog’s mouth.