What Happens If A Dog Eats Amoxicillin?

Amoxicillin is a common antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in dogs. However, it can have dangerous side effects if your dog ingests it accidentally or intentionally. Amoxicillin-based products are available as capsules and liquid drops for dogs and cats. It's also frequently given to dogs that might come into contact with the bacteria at high risk of infection: horses, livestock, poultry, and other pets.

In most cases, amoxicillin is safe for dogs to eat when provided in the correct dosage. In some cases, amoxicillin can cause severe gastrointestinal distress and even lead to an intestinal blockage called pseudomembranous enteritis (PME). If your dog ingests too much of an amoxicillin-containing product or eats something else that has a similar effect on their stomachs, you could end up with a very sick pet at home. Keep reading to learn more about what happens if your dog eats too much of this medication.

What is Amoxicillin Used for in Dogs?

Amoxicillin is a type of penicillin that works to kill bacteria in the body. It's prescribed for various bacterial infections, including pneumonia, ear infections, urinary tract infections (UTI), skin infections, tooth and gum disease, and more. Amoxicillin is also used to treat chlamydiosis, an infectious bacterial disease that affects cats.

Amoxicillin comes in both pill and liquid form. The pills are available in 50-milligram dosages for dogs of all sizes (the same dosage applies to cats). Amoxicillin tablets can be given as a single dose or split into smaller doses over several hours (usually four times a day).

Can Dogs Eat Too Much Amoxicillin?

Amoxicillin is absorbed into the bloodstream through the GI tract. The body breaks it up and uses some if not all of it to fight bacterial infections. Since dogs can't vomit, they often eat it while eating or drinking something else. If your dog ingests too much of an amoxicillin product, you could have a very sick pet at home.

Signs of Overdose in a Dog

If your dog ate too much amoxicillin, he might show any or all of the following signs:

If your dog has ingested a massive amount of amoxicillin, he may experience pain and have difficulty breathing. If he's at this point, you should immediately take him to a veterinary doctor. They'll likely perform immediate surgery to remove the overdose from his stomach and get him feeling better as soon as possible.

How to Treat a Dog with Amoxicillin Overdose

Once your dog is at the animal hospital, they'll observe him closely to ensure he doesn't experience any complications. They'll likely give him fluids through a vein to help move the amoxicillin out of his digestive tract and monitor him closely for signs of worsening illness. Some dogs may require general anesthesia to remove and monitor the product overnight.

Conclusion

Dogs can take amoxicillin in tablet form, but veterinarians often prefer to give it as a liquid for dogs. Amoxicillin is part of a category of antibiotics known as beta-lactams and belongs to the penicillin group. It's currently on the list of drugs that the FDA requires to be labeled with warning signs of overdose risk and instructions for use. You should be aware that this drug has been known to cause several potentially fatal side effects in pets.