Ampicillin 500mg For Dogs: Usage & Dosage Information

Many dog lovers should pay close attention to the health and welfare of their pets. Though dogs are susceptible to various infections, particularly outdoor dogs. There are several sources of dog infections, dog can get diseases from bacteria, viruses, and parasites (external and internal parasites). The nature of a dog infection will determine the type of medication to use for its treatment. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics like Ampicillin 500mg or 250mg.

Ampicillin is a beta-lactam antibiotic marketed as Polyflex, Princillin, and Omni-Pen. Ampicillin for dogs comes in capsules, tablets, oral suspension, and injections. The drug can be given to pregnant or nursing dogs, puppies above six weeks old. Before you start giving your dog Ampicillin, make sure they don’t have an allergy to penicillin antibiotics because this could cause serious side effects.

dog Ampicillin 500mg

Is Ampicillin 500mg Safe For Dogs?

Ampicillin 500mg is a safe and well-tolerated antibiotic for dogs; it comes in higher concentrations for higher efficacy, unlike Ampicillin 250mg. Ampicillin should be used by following strict instructions to avoid risking the health of your dog and putting the dog at risk of detrimental side effects.

What is Ampicillin 500mg used for in Dogs?

Ampicillin 500mg for dogs is an antibiotic prescribed to treat a good number of bacterial infections, such as:

  • Pneumonia and other upper respiratory infections
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Skin infections like abscesses
  • Soft tissue infections
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Tonsillitis
  • Leptospirosis
  • Salmonella
  • Canine parvovirosis.

Aside from the treatment of these infections, Ampicillin for dogs can as well serve as a preventive measure for most of these diseases. A good dog keeper should not wait till the dog is down on bacterial or any other infections, it is recommended to give dogs antibiotics like Ampicillin periodically to prevent the emergence of bacterial infections.

Ampicillin works by inhibiting the way bacteria cells grow and multiply, which helps stop them from causing disease in your dog’s body. The inhibition of the bacteria cell walls kills the bacteria and prevents it from replicating, making it easier for the dog’s immune system to fight off the infection.

Ampicillin 500mg Side Effects In Dogs

It is not common to experience adverse effects with Ampicillin usage. Side effects of ampicillin in dogs is common when it is administered in higher doses in dogs; they include:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea, and
  • Allergic reactions.

These side effects usually occur within 1-3 hours after taking the medication

In dogs, ampicillin given at higher doses has been reported to cause changes in heart rate and rhythm of the heart; low blood pressure, muscle weakness, seizures, and even death.

Ampicillin 500Mg Dosage For Dogs

The typical dose of oral ampicillin for dogs is 5 – 10 milligrams per pound while ampicillin injection for dogs dosage is 5 milligrams per pound. Ampicillin capsules, tablets, and liquid suspension are given to dogs orally by mouth while ampicillin injection is given through intramuscular (IM) or subcutaneous (SC). Ampicillin injection must be given by a trained veterinarian.

Ampicillin medication is given to dogs three (3) times daily for 3 – 5 days. Ampicillin can be given with or without food; it works best when given about 1 hour before feeding or 2 hours after feeding. If the dog vomits after the first dose, it is advisable to restrict giving the dog ampicillin 2 hours after feeding only.

Ampicillin can interact with other medications, including:

  • Anticoagulants (like warfarin)
  • Tetracycline antibiotics (like doxycycline)
  • Lithium carbonate
  • Diuretics (like furosemide)
  • Beta-blockers (like metoprolol).

You may find these articles helpful as well:

Final thoughts,

The use of Ampicillin medication in dogs is effective in treating infections caused by bacteria only. Ampicillin 500mg for dogs has been used to treat a wide variety of ailments such as skin infections, ear infections, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. The most common side effects that may occur are diarrhea, vomiting, and appetite loss.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.