In many pets, antibiotics can cause lethargy, nausea and/or a loss of appetite, which may make your pet less interested in eating their food. But it is crucial that your pet continues to eat, because their body needs the energy to continue fighting infection and repairing damaged cells.
The side effects that antibiotics cause, says Dr. Carlson, include the very uncomfortable leaky gut syndrome, diarrhea, vomiting, itching skin, yeast infections, behavioral issues, and more. However, gastrointestinal disorders, such as leaky gut syndrome, are the most common side effects of dogs on antibiotics.
Tiredness or fatigue is not a common side effect of antibiotic use, but it can happen. The antibiotics most likely to cause tiredness as a side effect are amoxicillin, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin.
Amoxicillin starts working within 1 to 2 hours after the first dose. Your dog's condition should improve within a few days. However, be sure to give your dog the full course of antibiotics according to your veterinarian's instructions to prevent reinfection and antibiotic resistance.
Answer: Antibiotics can kill the healthy or "friendly" bacteria in the digestive system along with the bad bacteria, so it may be helpful to also give your dog a GI support for dogs probiotic supplement. Probiotic supplementation is a great way to ensure good health and support proper digestion.
Wrap up the capsule or tablet in a piece of cheese, or hide it in a small amount of canned dog food. (Don't try this one if your dog has to take it on an empty stomach.) Be sure to feed only a small amount so your dog takes the whole antibiotic. Some antibiotics, like tylosin, come in powder form.
Dogs are often prescribed amoxicillin when struggling with a urinary tract, gastrointestinal, skin or bacterial infection or pneumonia, Dr. McCullough explains. Heads up: Your dog may experience an upset stomach while taking this antibiotic. Talk to your vet if you notice your dog is uncomfortable.
Vets will prescribe antibiotics for your dog if they have been diagnosed with a bacterial infection that they think is unlikely to clear up on its own or if they think it could spread to other animals. Without treatment, bacterial infections can become more serious and lead to complications.
Top Antibiotics for Dogs
Amoxicillin/Clavulanate—This antibiotic combo is related to Penicillin and is used to treat a broad spectrum of bacterial infections, including skin infections, infections in the respiratory system, gastrointestinal infections, and genitourinary infections.
There are different types of antibiotics, but the three most likely to cause fatigue include amoxicillin, azithromycin, and ciprofloxacin. If you are experiencing fatigue from your antibiotics, it is best to give your body a few days to acclimate to the treatment; in many cases, fatigue will dissipate in that time.
One of the more common side effects of antibiotics is nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. As mentioned above, antibiotics sometimes kill the good bacteria in the body along with the bad, leading to stomach issues and possibly dehydration. So in this case antibiotics can make you feel sick and tired.
Add a small serving of Greek yogurt on top of your dog's food. If your dog is taking antibiotics, offer him a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt several hours after taking his medicine. You can buy probiotics made for canines and serve these instead of Greek yogurt.
Is Yogurt Good For Dogs? Yogurt is high in calcium and protein. It also can act as a probiotic, which can be good for the digestive system. If you feed your dog yogurt, it should be plain and free of any added sweeteners, both natural and artificial.
A Disinterest in Food
While your dog is taking antibiotics, they might start to “go off” their food. This is not uncommon. It may happen because of the same gut flora upset that's causing diarrhea. Consider feeding your dog a “bland” diet of soft, easily digestible foods.
According to Mahaney, amoxicillin is not recommended for dogs that have previously exhibited clinical signs of intolerance or an allergic reaction. He says that intolerance can include signs such as digestive upset (vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of appetite), lethargy, or changes in behavior.
Dogs: The recommended dosage is 5 mg/lb of body weight twice a day. Cats: The recommended dosage is 50 mg (5–10 mg/lb) once a day. Dosage should be continued for 5–7 days or 48 hours after all symptoms have subsided.
Probiotics help promote the growth and survival of beneficial bacteria. So it makes sense that giving probiotics during and after a round of antibiotics would help balance your dog's microbiome. Probiotics with Lactobacillus bacteria can be very beneficial for your dog.
How can I restore my dog's gut after antibiotics? To help your dog recover from antibiotic damage, feed a raw, whole food diet, and give probiotics with soil-based organisms and S. boulardii, a probiotic yeast that has been shown to heal the gut after antibiotics.
Feed the Antibiotic with Food
While your probiotics will help with digestive upset, feeding an antibiotic on an empty stomach can cause your dog some gut distress. Keep in mind this is a general rule, not specific to every antibiotic. You will want to check with your veterinarian or pharmacist for guidance.
If the tablet or capsule can be given with food, you may place the medication in the center of a small ball of canned dog food or cheese.
Every year veterinarians prescribe millions of doses of NSAIDs for dogs and cats with good reason—but many side effects occur. As a group, NSAIDs may affect the kidneys, liver, and gastrointestinal tract. Reported side effects in dogs and cats include vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, and lethargy.
Antibiotics begin to work right after you start taking them. However, you might not feel better for 2 to 3 days. How quickly you get better after antibiotic treatment varies. It also depends on the type of infection you're treating.
In most cases, antibiotics do not cause insomnia. There have been cases, though, where one of the most commonly prescribed antibiotics, levofloxacin, can cause acute insomnia. The good thing about antibiotics, though, is that people take them only for a short period of time.