how long is the treatment course of minocycline for dogs

by Dr. Dorris Gibson 10 min read

How long should minocycline be taken?

The U.S National Library of Medicine state that a person should not take oral minocycline for longer than 12 weeks.Apr 6, 2020

How long is a course of minocycline?

The bacteria learn how to survive antibiotic treatment, making them especially hard to kill. To avoid this, your doctor will likely prescribe minocycline for at least three months. If your acne improves before then, they might reduce your dose or switch you over to a topical antibiotic.May 16, 2018

How long is a course of antibiotics for dogs?

The animal must remain on antibiotics until the intestinal lining has healed enough to defend itself from further infection. Never use systemic antibiotics for fewer than 3 days in a row. Systemic antibiotics are all those given orally or by injection.

How much minocycline should I give my dog?

Dogs: Use 5 mg/kg orally, twice daily for bacteria with MIC of 0.25 ug/mL or below, (most susceptible bacteria are in this range), and 10 mg/kg orally twice daily for bacteria with MIC of 0.5 ug/mL (some of the streptococci and Staph aureus may be this high).

What happens when you stop taking minocycline?

To help clear up your infection completely, keep taking this medicine for the full time of treatment, even if you begin to feel better after a few days. If you stop taking this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return.Feb 1, 2022

Can minocycline be used long-term?

Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects. This medicine is not for long-term use.Feb 1, 2022

What happens if I stop giving my dog antibiotics?

Even if your pet feels or looks better after a few days of the course, the bacterial infection may not have resolved completely. Stopping a course of antibiotics early risks bacteria failing to be eliminated from your pet and may result in a return of the illness. Acceleration of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

How can I get my dog to eat while on antibiotics?

If your pet refuses their food, don't force them to eat: wait a few hours and offer the food again. If they continue to refuse, consider adding something to the food to make it more palatable. A low-sodium beef, chicken, or bone broth is often helpful.Sep 28, 2018

Can I give my dog antibiotics without food?

It can be given with or without food, however, if vomiting occurs when dosed on an empty stomach, give future doses with food. Give the medication for the entire prescribed duration unless otherwise directed.

Is minocycline bad for dogs?

While generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian, minocycline can cause side effects in some animals. Minocycline should not be used in animals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to the drug. Minocycline may interact with other medications.Aug 12, 2015

What does minocycline treat in dogs?

It is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections in cats and dogs. It is sometimes used in place of doxycycline. Minocycline is frequently used as part of the heartworm adulticide treatment protocol and is used to treat many tickborne infections. Its use in dogs and cats is 'off label' or 'extra-label'.

What are the side effects of minocycline for dogs?

The most common side effects in dogs and cats are GI upset, including nausea and vomiting. In order to minimize GI side effects, minocycline is frequently given with food.

What is minocycline used for?

Minocycline is especially useful for treating tick-borne bacterial diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis and water-borne infections such as leptospirosis . Minocycline is also used to treat Wolbachia, an organism that infects heartworms, in an effort to treat heartworm disease. Minocycline is not effective for treating ...

Does minocycline kill bacteria?

Minocycline will inhibit the synthesis of protein within susceptible organisms (bacteria, etc.), resulting in their death. Minocycline is often used for infections caused by bacteria and by microorganisms that are not susceptible to common antibiotics.

What is the name of the antibiotic for dogs?

Minocycline, also known as Minocin® or Dynacin®, is an antibiotic for dogs and cats of the tetracycline class. This drug is related to other tetracyclines such as doxycyline, chlortetracycline and oxytetracycline.

Is minocycline good for heartworms?

Minocycline is also used to treat Wolbachia, an organism that infects heartworms, in an effort to treat heartworm disease. Minocycline is not effective for treating infections caused by a virus or fungus.

Can minocycline cause side effects?

Precautions and Side Effects. While generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian , minocycline can cause side effects in some animals. Minocycline should not be used in animals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to the drug. Minocycline may interact with other medications.

Can minocycline interact with other medications?

Minocycline may interact with other medications . Consult with your veterinarian to determine if other drugs your pet is receiving could interact with minocycline. Such drugs include certain antacids, iron supplements, kaolin, bismuth subsalicylate, isotretinoin, warfarin and certain antibiotics such as penicillins.

Can minocycline cause discoloration?

Minocycline may bind to calcium in teeth and cause discoloration. Therefore, the administration of minocycline to animals younger than seven months of age is discouraged without first consulting with a veterinarian. Minocycline is less likely to cause bone and teeth abnormalities then other tetracyclines.

Is minocycline safe for horses?

There is some research that suggests that oral minocycline may have superior bioavailability and reach higher tissue-concentrations in horses when compared to oral doxycycline. There is a great deal of research interest in the use of both doxycycline and minocycline for the treatment of osteoarthritis in performance horses.

What is minocycline used for?

Minocycline is used in horses to treat susceptible bacterial infections and tick-borne diseases such as Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease). There is some research that suggests that oral minocycline may have superior bioavailability and reach higher tissue-concentrations in horses when compared to oral doxycycline.

Is minocycline a bacteriostatic antibiotic?

Minocycline is a semi-synthetic tetracycline antibiotic that has many similarities with doxycycline. Minocycline may be used orally (dogs, cats, and horses) or intravenously (dogs and cats). Tetracycline antibiotics are broad spectrum and bacteriostatic. Their mechanism of action is through the inhibition of protein synthesis and the alteration ...

Is minocycline good for gram negative bacteria?

Minocycline has increased penetration into bacterial cells and increased pharmacologic activity when compared to tetracycline. It is effective against a broad spectrum of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, and a wide variety of other organisms including Rickettsia, Spirochetes, Mycoplasma, and Chlamydia.

Is minocycline good for arthritis?

In addition to its use as an antibiotic, minocycline is used in low doses as an anti-inflammatory and adjunct treatment for arthritis and degenerative joint disease ...

Where is Barbara Forney?

Dr. Barbara Forney is a veterinary practitioner in Chester County, Pennsylvania. She has a master's degree in animal science from the University of Delaware and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1982.

What is minocycline used for?

Minocycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic which is effective for use against a wide variety of bacteria and other types of organisms. It is particularly useful for some of the more unusual types of infections, including those carried by ticks. Minocycline is available in oral and intravenous forms. Oral minocycline reaches high concentrations in most tissues in the body, even in difficult to penetrate areas such as joints, the prostate, the central nervous system, and the eyes. In addition to its use as an antibiotic, researchers are studying the use of low doses of minocycline as an anti-inflammatory in both dogs and horses with osteo-arthritis. Minocycline may be used in animals with decreased kidney function because it is eliminated primarily via the digestive tract.

Is minocycline a broad spectrum antibiotic?

General Drug Information and Indications. Minocycline is a broad spectrum antibiotic which is effective for use against a wide variety of bacteria and other types of organisms. It is particularly useful for some of the more unusual types of infections, including those carried by ticks.

Where is Barbara Forney?

Dr. Barbara Forney is a veterinary practitioner in Chester County, Pennsylvania. She has a master's degree in animal science from the University of Delaware and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1982.

Is minocycline a tetracycline?

Minocycline is a second-generation, semi-synthetic tetracycline that has been in therapeutic use for over 30 years because of its antibiotic properties against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It is mainly used in the treatment of acne vulgaris and some sexually transmitted diseases. Recently, it has been reported ...

Does minocycline help colitis?

(2009b), who reported its ability to prevent and treat dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis, significantly diminishing the mortality rate and attenuating the severity of the disease.

Is minocycline a neuroprotective agent?

Consistent with its anti-inflammatory properties, minocycline has been reported to act as a neuroprotective agent in models of both global and focal ischaemia, processes driven by the infiltration of the ischaemic brain area by inflammatory cells (Feuerstein et al., 1997; Koistinaho and Hökfelt, 1997).

Does minocycline cause cell death?

This effect was associated with an induction of autophagic cell death, although minocycline still induced cell death through the activation of caspase-3 when autophagy was inhibited (Liu et al., 2011).

Is tetracycline good for periodontal disease?

The pharmacological profile of tetracyclines, which combines anti-microbial with anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, makes them suitable for periodontal disease treatment, which is characterized by an inflammatory process in addition to its well-known microbial aetiology (Soory, 2008).

Usual Adult Dose for Bacterial Infection

IV: 200 mg IV initially followed by 100 mg IV every 12 hours#N#Maximum dose: 400 mg/24 hours#N#Oral:#N#Most infections: 200 mg orally initially followed by 100 mg orally every 12 hours#N#-Alternative regimen (if more frequent dosing preferred): 100 to 200 mg orally initially followed by 50 mg orally 4 times a day#N#Uncomplicated urethral, endocervical, or rectal infections due to Chlamydia trachomatis or Ureaplasma urealyticum: 100 mg orally every 12 hours for at least 7 days#N#Comments:#N#-With trachoma, infectious agent is not always eliminated (as assessed by immunofluorescence).#N#-Coadministration with streptomycin recommended for brucellosis.#N#-For syphilis, the duration of therapy is 10 to 15 days; close follow-up (including laboratory tests) recommended.#N#Uses:#N#-For the treatment of the following infections: Rocky Mountain spotted fever, typhus fever, typhus group, Q fever, rickettsialpox, tick fevers due to rickettsiae; respiratory tract infections due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae; lymphogranuloma venereum, trachoma, or inclusion conjunctivitis due to C trachomatis; psittacosis (ornithosis) due to Chlamydophila psittaci; nongonococcal urethritis, endocervical, or rectal infections due to U urealyticum or C trachomatis; relapsing fever due to Borrelia recurrentis; plague due to Yersinia pestis; tularemia due to Francisella tularensis; cholera due to Vibrio cholerae; Campylobacter fetus infections; brucellosis due to Brucella species; bartonellosis due to Bartonella bacilliformis; granuloma inguinale due to Klebsiella granulomatis#N#-For the treatment of infections due to the following bacteria when bacteriologic testing shows suitable susceptibility to this drug: Escherichia coli; Enterobacter aerogenes; Shigella species; Acinetobacter species; respiratory tract infections due to Haemophilus influenzae; respiratory tract and urinary tract infections due to Klebsiella species; upper respiratory tract infections due to Streptococcus pneumoniae#N#-When penicillin is contraindicated, as an alternative agent for the treatment of the following infections: Syphilis due to Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum; yaws due to T pallidum subspecies pertenue; listeriosis due to Listeria monocytogenes; anthrax due to Bacillus anthracis; Vincent's infection due to Fusobacterium fusiforme; actinomycosis due to Actinomyces israelii; clostridial infections#N#-As adjunctive therapy for: Acute intestinal amebiasis; severe acne.

Usual Adult Dose for Acne

Extended-release formulations:#N#45 to 49 kg: 45 mg orally once a day#N#50 to 59 kg: 55 mg orally once a day#N#60 to 71 kg: 65 mg orally once a day#N#72 to 84 kg: 80 mg orally once a day#N#85 to 96 kg: 90 mg orally once a day#N#97 to 110 kg: 105 mg orally once a day#N#111 to 125 kg: 115 mg orally once a day#N#126 to 136 kg: 135 mg orally once a day#N#Duration of therapy: 12 weeks#N#Comments:#N#-Recommended dose is about 1 mg/kg once a day.#N#-This drug did not show any effect on non-inflammatory acne lesions.#N#-Safety not established beyond 12 weeks.#N#Use: To treat only inflammatory lesions of non-nodular moderate to severe acne vulgaris#N#American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Recommendations:#N#Immediate-release formulations: 50 mg orally once to 3 times a day#N#Comments:#N#-Recommended as adjunctive treatment of moderate to severe inflammatory acne#N#-This drug should not be used as monotherapy.#N#-Use should be limited to the shortest duration possible; reevaluation recommended at 3 to 4 months to minimize resistant bacteria developing.#N#-Current guidelines should be consulted for additional information..

Usual Adult Dose for Meningitis - Meningococcal

200 mg IV initially followed by 100 mg IV every 12 hours#N#Maximum dose: 400 mg/24 hours#N#Use: When penicillin is contraindicated, as an alternative agent for the treatment of meningitis due to Neisseria meningitidis

Usual Adult Dose for Meningococcal Meningitis Prophylaxis

100 mg orally every 12 hours for 5 days#N#Comments:#N#-Diagnostic laboratory studies (including serotyping and susceptibility testing) are recommended to establish the carrier state and the appropriate therapy.#N#-Prophylactic use of this drug is only recommended when risk of meningococcal meningitis is high.#N#Use: In the treatment of asymptomatic carriers of N meningitidis to eliminate meningococci from the nasopharynx.

Usual Adult Dose for Skin or Soft Tissue Infection

IV: 200 mg IV initially followed by 100 mg IV every 12 hours#N#Maximum dose: 400 mg/24 hours#N#Oral:#N#Infection due to Staphylococcus aureus: 200 mg orally initially followed by 100 mg orally every 12 hours#N#-Alternative regimen (if more frequent dosing preferred): 100 to 200 mg orally initially followed by 50 mg orally 4 times a day#N#Infection due to Mycobacterium marinum: 100 mg orally every 12 hours for 6 to 8 weeks#N#Comments:#N#-Not the drug of choice for any type of staphylococcal infection#N#-The optimal dose has not been established to treat M marinum infections; the recommended dose has been successful in limited cases.#N#Uses: For the treatment of skin and skin structure infections due to S aureus when bacteriologic testing shows suitable susceptibility to this drug; for the treatment of infections due to M marinum#N#Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Recommendations: 100 mg orally twice a day#N#Comments:#N#-Recommended for skin and soft tissue infections due to methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S aureus#N#-After an initial dose of 200 mg, recommended for purulent cellulitis (cellulitis associated with purulent drainage/exudate without a drainable abscess) due to methicillin-resistant S aureus#N#-Current guidelines should be consulted for additional information..

Usual Adult Dose for Skin and Structure Infection

IV: 200 mg IV initially followed by 100 mg IV every 12 hours#N#Maximum dose: 400 mg/24 hours#N#Oral:#N#Infection due to Staphylococcus aureus: 200 mg orally initially followed by 100 mg orally every 12 hours#N#-Alternative regimen (if more frequent dosing preferred): 100 to 200 mg orally initially followed by 50 mg orally 4 times a day#N#Infection due to Mycobacterium marinum: 100 mg orally every 12 hours for 6 to 8 weeks#N#Comments:#N#-Not the drug of choice for any type of staphylococcal infection#N#-The optimal dose has not been established to treat M marinum infections; the recommended dose has been successful in limited cases.#N#Uses: For the treatment of skin and skin structure infections due to S aureus when bacteriologic testing shows suitable susceptibility to this drug; for the treatment of infections due to M marinum#N#Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) Recommendations: 100 mg orally twice a day#N#Comments:#N#-Recommended for skin and soft tissue infections due to methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant S aureus#N#-After an initial dose of 200 mg, recommended for purulent cellulitis (cellulitis associated with purulent drainage/exudate without a drainable abscess) due to methicillin-resistant S aureus#N#-Current guidelines should be consulted for additional information..

Usual Adult Dose for Chancroid

200 mg orally initially followed by 100 mg orally every 12 hours#N#-Alternative regimen (if more frequent dosing preferred): 100 to 200 mg orally initially followed by 50 mg orally 4 times a day#N#Use: For the treatment of chancroid due to H ducreyi

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Basic Information

Dogs and Cats

  • Minocycline is used in dogs to treat susceptible bacterial infections and infections caused by Rickettsia, Canine ehrlichiosis (anaplasmosis), Toxoplasma, Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Leptospirosis, and Neorickettsia helminthoeca (salmon poisoning). Minocycline is used in cats to treat susceptible bacterial infections and infections caused by a number of other organisms incl…
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Horses

  • Minocycline is used in horses to treat susceptible bacterial infections and tick-borne diseases such as Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease). There is some research that suggests that oral minocycline may have superior bioavailability and reach higher tissue-concentrations in horses when compared to oral doxycycline. There is a great deal of research i…
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Side Effects

  1. Oral: The most-common side effects in dogs and cats are GI upset, including nausea and vomiting. In order to minimize GI side-effects, minocycline is frequently given with food.
  2. Dogs and Cats: Intravenous minocycline should be administered slowly to minimize the incidence of side effects. Possible side-effects include urticaria, hypotension, difficulty breathing, cardiac a...
  1. Oral: The most-common side effects in dogs and cats are GI upset, including nausea and vomiting. In order to minimize GI side-effects, minocycline is frequently given with food.
  2. Dogs and Cats: Intravenous minocycline should be administered slowly to minimize the incidence of side effects. Possible side-effects include urticaria, hypotension, difficulty breathing, cardiac a...
  3. Rare side-effects include ototoxicity and elevated liver enzymes.

Precautions

  1. Tetracycline antibiotics should be avoided in pregnancy and nursing because there is a risk of fetal skeletal limb abnormalities and discoloration of teeth. Tetracycline antibiotics are excreted in...
  2. There was no information found regarding the use of intravenous minocycline in the horse. Intravenous doxycycline is not used in the horse due to the risk of fatal cardiac arrhythmia.
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Drug Interactions

  1. Dosing of oral minocycline should be separated from any oral antacids, bismuth, kaolin, or pectin containing products by one to two hours.
  2. Oral iron also interferes with the absorption of minocycline and should be given three hours prior or two hours after minocycline.
  3. Minocycline and other tetracycline antibiotics are generally not used with bactericidal antibio…
  1. Dosing of oral minocycline should be separated from any oral antacids, bismuth, kaolin, or pectin containing products by one to two hours.
  2. Oral iron also interferes with the absorption of minocycline and should be given three hours prior or two hours after minocycline.
  3. Minocycline and other tetracycline antibiotics are generally not used with bactericidal antibiotics such as penicillin, cephalosporin, and aminoglycosides.
  4. Tetracycline antibiotics may change clotting times. Animals receiving warfarin may need additional monitoring and downward dosage adjustment.

Overdose

  • Oral overdose of minocycline in most instances will cause pronounced GI distress. Oral antacids may be helpful to decrease gastrointestinal symptoms. Supportive care, including intravenous fluids, may be necessary.
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