Doxycycline
Generic Name
Doxycycline hyclate
Indications/Uses
Doxycycline is a broad spectrum tetracycline antibiotic used for the treatment of bacterial infections, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, mycoplasma, psittacosis. A variety of tick-induced diseases like Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and salmon poisoning can also be treated effectively with the help of doxycyclin. Doxycycline gets rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and thus inhibits the collagenase activity of the micro organisms in the gingival crevicular fluid which leads to periodontitis. Though not legally approved by FDA, doxycycline is often prescribed by veterinarians to be used only in cats and dogs.
Precautions
Doxycycline should not be administered to the pets during the initial phase of their pregnancy, as it can induce toxic effects on fetal growth. The common harmful effects that are likely to occur in the fetus are slowing down of fetal growth, alter the skeletal structure or even cause yellowing of the teeth of unborn animal. However, there is no harm in administering it during the second half of their pregnancy. Animals allergic to tetracycline antibiotics should not be treated with doxycycline. Nursing animals should also be kept away from this medication.Administering of doxycycline to animals suffering from liver and kidney ailments should be done with extreme caution. Avoid administering doxycycline if the pets have hypersensitivity to doxycycline or any other similar tetracycline antibiotics. Oral administration of doxycycline along with calcium containing medications is not advisable. At times doxycycline interacts with drugs like bismuth subsalicylate and certain antibiotics, antacids, iron supplements, and kaolin.
Side Effects
Common side effects that are likely to arise are skin rashes, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. In certain cases, the tablet form of doxycycline, when used in cats is found to damage its esophagus.
Dosage Information
Do not stop the use of this medication without a doctor’s prescription as it leads to worsening of the infection. In dogs, the usual suggested dosage is 2mg to 5mg per pound, every 12 to 24 hours. In case of cats, the required dosage is comparatively less and is 2mg per pound every 12 hours.It is advised to give pets antacids, vitamin and mineral combinations, iron, or Pepto-Bismol 1 hour prior to or 4 hours after administering doxycycline. Be cautious when giving doxycycline along with digoxin or warfarin.
Brand Names
Vibramycin(Pfizer), Doryx (Pfizer),