How Often Should I Give My Dog Metronidazole?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The most common metronidazole dosage for dogs that a veterinarian will prescribe is 5 to 7 mg per pound by mouth

every 12 hours

. Veterinarians will prescribe much lower doses if your dog has liver disease or other diseases that could increase the risk of side effects.

How many days should a dog take metronidazole?

How long will my dog be on metronidazole? The usual treatment period is

5 to 7 days

. However, your veterinarian may wish to extend that time if the infection is not responding as well as expected. It’s important to remember to give all of the doses to your dog on a schedule.

Can you give a dog too much metronidazole?

Dogs who receive too much of this medicine, or those treated with metronidazole for extended periods of time,

will need emergency veterinary attention if they experience: Irregular or abnormally slow heartbeat

.

Tremors

.

Seizures

.

How long can a dog stay on metronidazole?

Metronidazole can be given long term if needed for pets with chronic colitis. If a pet doesn’t tolerate metronidazole we can substitute something else. It usually takes

10-14 days

of medication to completely clear a typical infection and sometimes longer.

Can a dog take metronidazole every day?

Because metronidazole can cause potentially severe side effects, you should always consult with your veterinarian about what dose of metronidazole is safe for your dog. The most common metronidazole dosage for dogs that a veterinarian will prescribe is

5 to 7 mg per pound by mouth every 12 hours

.

Is 500mg of metronidazole a lot for dogs?

Dosage Of Metronidazole For Dogs

If your dog has an infection from anaerobic bacteria, then you might expect your vet to prescribe 11 to 22 mg per pound to be given twice a day.

Metronidazole tablets typically come in doses of 250 to 500 mg per pill

.

What does metronidazole do for dogs?

Key takeaways: Metronidazole (Flagyl) is a popular antibiotic a vet may prescribe for a dog to

treat diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, or gum disease

. The most common side effect of metronidazole is diarrhea, even though it can be prescribed to treat diarrhea.

How does metronidazole stop diarrhea in dogs?

Many veterinarians prescribe metronidazole, a nitroimidazole antibiotic, for the treatment of acute diarrhea in dogs. 1, 10, 13

It has a broad spectrum of activity against anaerobic bacteria including potential enteric pathogens such as Clostridium perfringens

, and antiprotozoal activity is observed at higher dosages.

Can I give my dog metronidazole for vomiting?

When given properly, metronidazole is considered generally safe for use in most dogs and is usually tolerated well.

Common mild side effects include: Nausea and vomiting

. Loss of appetite.

How long does it take for Giardia to go away in dogs?

Once treatment is initiated, your pet should see some relief of their symptoms within 24 to 48 hours. If their symptoms are not improving, you should let your veterinarian know. Within

1 to 2 weeks

, your dog will likely be fully recovered from their giardia infection as long as they don’t become reinfected.

Does metronidazole need to be refrigerated?

Most liquid metronidazole suspensions are compounded, and for the most part they are oil based suspensions. If this is the case for your bottle of metronidazole the main reason that

refrigeration is recommended

is to prevent bacterial contamination, not to preserve the medication.

Can metronidazole make diarrhea worse in dogs?

In fact,

several studies have shown that metronidazole can actually make diarrhea worse

, not only by reducing populations of “good” anaerobic bacteria but also by altering the intestinal mucus.

How much metronidazole can a 25 pound dog take?

Example: A 25 lb dog could be given

275 mg

of Flagyl per dose.

Should metronidazole be taken with food?


The capsules can be taken with or without food

. If the medicine upsets your stomach, it is best to take it with a meal or snack. The extended–release tablet must be taken without food, 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Swallow the extended-release tablet whole.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.