The cephalosporin class of antibiotics includes cefpodoxime for dogs. Since it is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, it may be used to treat several illnesses successfully.
Moreover, the diversity of microorganisms it is effective against is the significant advantage this medication offers over canine penicillin medications.
A bacterial illness on your dog’s fragile body might not be as lovely to behold as their attractive eyes and wagging tail.
However, no matter how much you love your dog, ensure they get frequent baths or eat right. Even yet, a dog can occasionally get a bacterial illness despite receiving the proper dog care.
Antibiotics like Cefepime, Chloramphenicol, and Cefpodoxime for dogs are frequently advised by a cat and dog veterinarian for an infected dog.
Compared to other dog medications like cefepime, cefpodoxime has fewer adverse effects. For this reason, most veterinarians recommend cefpodoxime for dogs.
What Does Cefpodoxime Mean?
Regarding canine antibiotics, the third-generation cephalosporin cefpodoxime is the drug of choice (a class of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents). It fights common bacterial illnesses from species including Streptococcus canis, E. coli, Staphylococcus, and Pasteurella.
In addition, cefpodoxime kills bacteria by dissolving their cell walls, which ultimately results in the bacterial colony’s demise. Cefpodoxime for dogs is a medication used to treat bacterial infections like:
- Middle ear infections
- Normal Skin infection
- Wounded dog with an infection
- Upper respiratory infection
- Urinary tract infection etc.
Cefpodoxime for Dogs Brand Names
- Vantin (vantin 200mg,vantin 100 mg, suspension)
- Simplicef( simplicef 200mg, simplicef 100mg, suspension)
What Does Cefpodoxime Look Like?
The most popular way to take cefpodoxime is as an oral pill. Simplicef, the brand name formulation, is an orange, oval tablet with a score along the middle. Generic versions frequently have an oval shape and can be orange or red, but the maker may change the design.
Although less popular, cefpodoxime for dogs is also offered as a suspension format. The powder form of cefpodoxime suspension is provided, and water must be added before use.
How Does the Drug Cefpodoxime Work?
Cefpodoxime for dogs destroys the cell wall of susceptible bacteria to cause death. Due to its high resistance to bacterial enzyme breakdown, it may often be used when conventional antibiotics like penicillin or cephalexin cannot.
Dosages of Cefpodoxime for Dogs
One dose of cefpodoxime is given each day. Depending on your dog’s weight and the ailment that has to be treated, your veterinarian will decide on the proper dose.
Giving this drug exactly as prescribed is crucial. Even if your dog’s condition seems to have improved, continue to provide your pet with all of the medication that has been recommended.
Antibiotic-resistant illnesses might result from abruptly stopping your pet’s therapy. Indeed, cefpodoxime may be administered either with meals or without food.
What Happens if My Dog Misses a Cefpodoxime Dose?
Like any antibiotic, cefpodoxime for dogs should be used consistently without skipping any doses. Missing doses will make the drug less effective. If you miss a dose, give it as soon as possible and resume it every 24 hours.
Consider the scenario when you fail to give your dog his morning dose of cefpodoxime and don’t notice it until that evening. What ought you to do? As soon as you know you missed a dosage, administer the medication at that time.
To preserve a 24-hour dosage schedule, feed your dog cefpodoxime in the evening until the course is through.
Contact your veterinarian if your pet misses more than one dose of medicine. Depending on the specifics of your case, you could be told by the doctor to restart the treatment to switch your pet’s prescription.
Canine Cefpodoxime Side Effects
Cefpodoxime for dogs has the fewest adverse effects, but dogs might still have some negative effects from it. Your dog may experience some digestive issues while taking cefpodoxime, which is perfectly normal.
Dog lovers should know that it may be resolved by feeding your dog a balanced, healthy diet. The following signs might appear in a dog using cefpodoxime:
- Facial swelling
- Shortness of breath
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hives
- Decreased appetite
Additionally, your dog may have an allergy to this drug. If so, you might need to get it to a local vet’s emergency department for dogs as soon as possible. Never offer your dog Cefpodoxime with aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Give your dog their cefpodoxime medication at least two hours after giving them an antacid. Antacids interfere with a dog’s body’s ability to absorb cefpodoxime for this fundamental reason properly.
How Long Does It Take for Dogs to Respond to Cefpodoxime?
Within an hour or two, cefpodoxime for dogs will begin treating the infection inside the dog’s body. However, after one to two days from the beginning of the pharmaceutical course, you will start to see noticeable effects.
This medication’s effects lessen as soon as it exits the dog’s system, but its healing benefits last long.
Does Cefpodoxime Cause Drowsiness in Dogs?
In most cases, a dog on cefpodoxime doesn’t experience much sleepiness. Lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea are just a few of the adverse effects that might occur if this medicine is used excessively. Dogs are highly active animals.
However, if your dogs appear languid and tired during their cefpodoxime treatment cycle, it may be an overdose. In this case, speak with your dog’s veterinarian right away.
The Cost of Cefpodoxime for Dogs
Depending on the size of your dog and the necessary length of therapy, the cost of cefpodoxime might vary.
One week of cefpodoxime for a small dog may cost $20–$30, while a more prolonged course for a large dog may cost $150 or more.
Generally speaking, Simplicef is more costly than the name brand cefpodoxime.
Instructions for Storing Cefpodoxime
Usually, cefpodoxime is given as a pill. This tablet can be kept on the counter, in a cupboard, or at room temperature.
Less frequently is cefpodoxime suspension used in veterinary medicine. Cefpodoxime suspension, however, must be kept in the fridge if it is recommended for your pet.
Cefpodoxime suspension is only stable for 14 days after mixing. Thus, any unused pre-mixed drug must be discarded after two weeks.
Note: For you to be able to administer cefpodoxime for dogs, oral administration must be used since not all cefpodoxime is in powder forms.
Oral drug administration to dogs may be challenging. To administer medications, it could be helpful to roll up some food, such as read or wet dog food, and bury the pill.
If the dog doesn’t eat or spits up the pill, the owner may need to place it on the tongue. Since physically placing a pill into a dog’s mouth might result in getting bit, special devices can be used.
Conclusion
You can’t control everything that occurs to your dog, but you must care for them and treat them if necessary. If caught early, dog infections can be treated at home without visiting a cat and dog veterinary hospital.
Veterinarians often prescribe cefpodoxime for dogs. It’s effective against several germs and helps treat dog illnesses. Cefpodoxime for dogs requires a once-daily dosage, making it simple for pet owners.
The most typical application of cefpodoxime for dogs, marketed under the name Simplicef, is the treatment of bacterial skin infections.
However, various other bacterial illnesses can also be treated with this antibiotic. It is an excellent alternative for many dogs because it carries a minimal risk of adverse effects.
