Pet Health Forum
Thread: Doxycycline for Dogs - Questions & Answers
FurryFanatic: Hi everyone! I recently got some doxycycline from my vet to treat my dog's skin infection. However, the instructions were a bit unclear. How often should I be giving it to her?
Dr.VetFriend: Hello FurryFanatic! Thanks for reaching out with your question about doxycycline for your furry friend. Typically, the dosage and frequency of administration can vary depending on the specific condition being treated and your dog’s size and weight. Can you provide a bit more information? What is the prescribed dose per day, and how much does your dog weigh?
FurryFanatic: Thanks Dr.VetFriend! My dog weighs about 30 lbs and the vet said to give her one pill twice a day. Does that sound right for treating skin infections?
Dr.VetFriend: That does sound like a reasonable dose, FurryFanatic. For most dogs with skin infections, doxycycline is typically prescribed at around 5-10 mg per kg of body weight, given every 12 hours. Given that your dog weighs about 30 lbs (around 14 kg), this would mean a total daily dose of around 70 to 140 mg, split into two doses. If each pill is 100 mg, then one pill twice a day fits within the standard dosage range.
FurryFanatic: Great, thanks for confirming! I also noticed that it tastes really bad and my dog tries to spit it out. Is there anything I can do to make her take it more easily?
Dr.VetFriend: That’s a common issue with many medications, including doxycycline. Here are a few tips you could try:1. Capsule Pilling: If the medication comes in a capsule form, you can open the capsule and mix the contents into a small amount of canned food or wet dog food.2. Pill Pockets: These are treats designed to hide pills inside them. Just make sure they don’t contain ingredients that could interfere with the antibiotic’s effectiveness (like dairy products).3. Medication Hiding Techniques: You can also try hiding the pill in a small amount of peanut butter, cheese spread, or another tasty treat that your dog loves.4. Pill Gun: If she consistently spits out pills, consider using a pill gun to ensure the medication goes down her throat.
FurryFanatic: Pill pockets sound like a good idea! I’ll try that and see how it works out. How long should she be on doxycycline?
Dr.VetFriend: The duration of treatment with doxycycline can vary depending on the type and severity of the infection, as well as your dog’s response to the medication. Typically, for skin infections, a course of 21-30 days is common. However, it's important that you follow the specific instructions provided by your veterinarian. They may want to re-evaluate your dog at certain intervals during treatment to ensure the infection is resolving properly.
FurryFanatic: Got it! I’ll keep an eye on her progress and make sure she finishes all of the medication. Thanks so much for your help, Dr.VetFriend!
Dr.VetFriend: You're welcome, FurryFanatic! It's always important to complete the full course of antibiotics as prescribed, even if you notice improvement in symptoms sooner. This helps prevent antibiotic resistance and ensures the infection is fully treated. If you have any other questions or concerns, feel free to reach out!
FurryFanatic: Will do! Thank you again for your advice; it’s really helpful.
Dr.VetFriend: You’re welcome! Wishing your pup a speedy recovery. Take care and stay in touch if needed!