Metronidazole for Dogs – Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Alternatives

Modern medicine has proven itself, both in the human world and in the dog world, to have our backs’ when it comes to fighting disease and infection (specifically with antibiotics!). That doesn’t mean that we don’t want to learn more about the medications we are putting inside our bodies, and our dogs, though.

Here, we’re going to go through a common antibiotic prescribed by modern veterinarians: Metronidazole. You’ll learn the basics along with what else you can do for your dog when disease and infection strike.

What is Metronidazole & what can it be used for?

Metronidazole, better known by its brand name Flagyl, is an antibiotic primarily used to treat inflammation of the large intestine. Though it can be used to treat other diseases in dogs, its target area is stomach issues involving diarrhea and vomiting.

Other common instances where your dog’s vet can prescribe Metronidazole are as follows:

• Parasite-related diseases, such as Giardia
• IBD, or Inflammatory Bowel Disease
• Some oral infections
• Bacterial infections that cause diarrhea

What is the correct dosage to administer to my dog?

Before administering Metronidazole to your dog, you’ll want to know that though it is not yet FDA approved, it is safe to give to your dog according to many practicing veterinarians out there today.

On average, Metronidazole is prescribed by vets in doses ranging from 5 mg to 20 mg, and most doses are split up throughout the day. If your vet decides to split the dosage up throughout the day, it is likely that your dog will be consuming small doses in pill form until the disease or infection has gone away.

Doses are sometimes missed, as we are not perfect dog owners. If this is the case, administer the dose as soon as you can. If you don’t remember until the next day, just give your dog the normal treatment, as you don’t want to give him or her too much medication at once. If you did accidentally administer too much, bring your dog to his or her vet immediately.

If your dog is experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, or extreme dizziness, this may be a sign of overdose; take them to the vet immediately.

Are there side effects associated with Metronidazole?

As with any medication, Metronidazole comes with potential side effects. The more severe ones consist of paralysis in any of your dogs four legs and severe allergic reactions that occur with hives, rash, difficulty breathing, etc.

However, more common symptoms seen in dogs that are taking Metronidazole are as follows:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Drooling
• Regurgitation
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Bloody urine
• Fever

Is there an alternative I can turn to?

There are dog owners out there that try their best to stay away from pharmaceutically prescribed medications, as they tend to come with a plethora of potential side effects. If you’re a concerned dog owner, and you’re seeking an alternate method instead of using prescription antibiotics like Metronidazole, try out CBD oil.

CBD oil is a natural and safe alternative to Metronidazole that doesn’t carry adverse side effects along with it. This anti-inflammatory medication has been known to help dogs with ailments such as pain, seizures, mood disorders, and cancer symptoms. If your dog is experiencing any abdominal pain, CBD oil can start the treatment process.

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