Metronidazole Information

J. Walker · Oct 6, 2015

Metronidazole is often the "go to" drug in sporting dogs for any type of gastrointestinal issues. I know trainers who carry bottles of it on their trucks to dole out at the least sign of any stomach issues. Only recently did my new vet (the old one moved) tell me that there has been extensive research in relation to the potential neurotoxic effects of metronidazole even in small dose, short courses. As a result, he rarely prescibes it. I just wanted to let folks know if they didn't already know as it was news to me.

http://www.vetcontact.com/en/art.php?a=572

Terry Marshall · Oct 6, 2015

What is he prescribing for diarrhea and other gut issues?

Montview · Oct 6, 2015

I carry a container of Tylan Powder for loose stools on the road. Metronidazole (and most azole drugs) have been shown to have some significant negative effects on reproduction (namely, sperm production/viability) that can take 1-2 months to recover from, and since all of mine are stud dogs, I choose not to use it very frequently if at all.

Mary Lynn Metras · Oct 6, 2015

Thanks for sharing. Side effects are always important to consider when thinking about giving the dog (or us

) any pills especially long term. Our dogs have no way of telling us what is really wrong or how they feel when they are on the drugs. In a sense we are there advocates!!! Thanks. I use if need to; so very infrequently Pepto or Florentero tabs. I usually end up replacing expired bottle or tabs.

suepuff · Oct 6, 2015

I haven't used Metranitazole in ages. I usually have a bout of Giardia in puppie that we address. After that, I use a Kemin product. Their bacillus strain that we use in multiple other species in milk replacer. (I am in young animal nutrition) is great. Soft stool/diarrhea from traveling? One a day for a couple of days clears up the gut. It's one of the on,y products that I've ever used that I said "wow" to. I have replace all my FortiFlora with this and their other probiotic. I do not keep Tylan powder. I have issues with indiscriminate antibiotic use. Who knows what bugs your dog has and bugs and drugs are specific. Let's not perpetuate the resistance problem. Sorry....off my soapbox.

This is the one I carry when I travel.

http://www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Kemin-Resources-Protegrity-GI-20-Chews/152022.aspx

You can get it at a few different places. Email the company. They can send you the research in multiple species.

Sue

wheelhorse · Oct 6, 2015

An important piece of info at the end of the article:

"Most canines who develop neurologic signs secondary to metronidazole administration have received weeks to months of therapy, but toxicity after short-term therapy at relatively low dosages (<60 mg/kg/day) has been reported. "

And I don't know of any DVM that would prescribe 60mg/kg.

What concerns me is that trainers are carrying this antibiotic around using it willy nilly. Great way to get antibiotic resistance going.

hotel4dogs · Oct 6, 2015

Thanks for the heads up. I can't help thinking, though, that if one read the potential side effects of any drug, one would never take nor administer anything. You have to weigh the benefits against the risks in the particular case.
Totally agree with the concern about trainers carrying metro around and using it randomly, versus using it for a specific reason under the direction of a veterinarian. I used it with great success in my IBD dog, for many years, and then later in my geriatric Golden, in a low dose, to treat diarrhea caused by ursodiol given for liver failure, again with great success.
BTW, there has been some interesting research in both humans and canines using a combination of metronidazole and doxycycline to treat refractory TBDs, the synergistic effect of the two shows promise.

Moose Mtn · Oct 6, 2015

Any drug used without caution is concerning. But used correctly- these drugs are blessings. My trainer has metro on the truck- but I don't know if I have ever seen him use it. It's one of those things that you SHOULD have on the truck in case it's needed. I also don't really agree with the "azole" comment as there are lots of gut friendly drugs that end in "azole". Omeprazole is something that several of my dogs take as an ulcer preventative. "Azole" is not a class of drugs

ErinsEdge · Oct 6, 2015

Omeprazole is something that several of my dogs take as an ulcer preventative.

I have one too, plus she needs Metro too sometimes.
This is nothing new and look when the article was published. Almost any drug has side affects and many if over subscribed or over dosed will cause problems.

EdA · Oct 6, 2015

Read the entire article before passing judgment, particularly these three paragraphs.

Neurotoxicity following prolonged therapy is most often related to cumulative dose and duration of treatment.

Most canines who develop neurologic signs secondary to metronidazole administration have received weeks to months of therapy, but toxicity after short-term therapy at relatively low dosages (<60 mg/kg/day) has been reported.

In general, higher dosages may produce signs in a shorter time period than moderate to low dosages.

In all my years in practice I have never seen an adverse event from the use of metronidazole.

Metronidazole Information

J. Walker

Terry Marshall

Montview

Mary Lynn Metras

suepuff

wheelhorse

hotel4dogs

Moose Mtn

ErinsEdge

EdA

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