Doxycycline for Dogs With Lyme Disease
Doxycycline (also known as Vibramycin) is a commonly used medication in the veterinary field. It is obtained by prescription and it is used to effectively treat a variety of conditions in dogs. It should always be administered under the strict guidance of a veterinarian following the directions as instructed.
-
Identification
-
Doxycycline is a tetracycline antibiotic often prescribed to treat infection caused by bacteria and microorganisms. It is not currently FDA approved for veterinary use. However, it has become common practice to prescribe it for cats and dogs as an extra-label drug.
Function
-
Doxycycline works by inhibiting the synthesis of protein, thus preventing the invading bacteria from being capable of reproducing. Its action allows the dog's body to finally fight off the Lyme disease infection.
-
Use
-
Many tick-borne diseases are treated with Doxycycline. Doxycycline is the first-choice antibiotic used to treat Lyme disease. It is typically prescribed for a time frame ranging from two to four weeks.
Warning
-
Doxycycline should be used with caution in dogs suffering from liver or kidney disease. Because it may affect bone and tooth development, it should not be administered to pregnant or lactating dogs or young puppies.
Considerations
-
As with any medication, Doxycycline may cause side effects (the most common being nausea and vomiting) and it may interfere with other drugs. The expiration date should be monitored carefully since expired Doxycycline may cause damage to the kidneys.
Benefits
-
Dogs wih Lyme disease improve quickly when on Doxycycline. Dogs suffering from lameness, stiffness and fever, typical of Lyme disease, respond quickly to Doxycycline. Indeed, it is not unusual to see dogs limping one day and back to walking normally within 48 hours.
-
References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Mark Hanna Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Shutr Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Bruce Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Emma Freeman
