Erythromycin for Dogs and Cats

Commonly prescribed for: Specific Types of Bacterial Infections

Species: Dogs and Cats

Therapeutic Class: Narrow-spectrum Antibiotic

Erythromycin is a narrow-spectrum antibiotic used by veterinarians to treat very specific types of bacterial infections in dogs, cats, and other animals. It is available only with a prescription from a veterinarian.

Erythromycin is effective against certain types of infection, as the medication suppresses the protein synthesis and growth of bacteria cells, which eventually leads to the death of the bacteria. Common uses for Erythromycin include treating pneumonia, tick-borne infections like Lyme Disease, sinus infections, wound infections, skin infections, bone infections, and certain other types of bacterial infections.

Erythromycin is not effective against infections that are caused by fungi, viruses, or parasites.

Since Erythromycin kills bacteria, it can cause some animals to experience diarrhea, nausea, and loss of appetite. This is normal and usually results from temporarily disrupting the naturally occurring bacteria within the intestine.

If your pet has trouble breathing, hives or skin rash, or a swollen face, tongue or lips, contact your veterinarian immediately, as these signs point to the possibility of an allergic reaction.

Erythromycin is an appropriate treatment option when prescribed by a veterinarian. However, if your pet is taking other medications, discuss them with your veterinarian to prevent a possible drug-interaction. Erythromycin can interact with such medications as clindamycin, lincomycin, tylosin, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, theophylline, and digoxin.

Conversely, drugs like rifampin and sulfa-class antibiotics will increase the effectiveness of Erythromycin.

Erythromycin should never be administered to a pet with a known allergy to the medication. It should also be avoided in pregnant animals.

Erythromycin can be toxic to smaller animals like guinea pigs, rabbits, gerbils, and hamsters, and therefore, should not be given to them. Similarly, this antibiotic should not be prescribed for cattle or adult horses.

For the drug to work as intended, it is essential to follow the prescription and complete the full course of treatment. If treatment is stopped before all the medication has been administered, the risk of relapse increases.

One of the dosage forms available for Erythromycin is an oral suspension. Wedgewood Pharmacy's oral suspensions and solutions are familiar and convenient dosage forms. Oral suspensions and solutions can be administered directly into the mouth using a dosing syringe or mixed with a small amount of food. They offer a wide range of flavoring options and flexible dosing adjustments.

Many strengths of Erythromycin Oral Suspension are available, ranging from 5 mg/ml to 250 mg/ml.

Erythromycin also is available in these compounded dosage forms. Different strengths may be available for different dosage forms.

• Capsule
• Oral Oil Suspension
• Oral Paste
• Oral Powder

Wedgewood provides medication options that help ensure accurate dosing, especially for hard to medicate pets. Click below for a complete list of Wedgewood’s dosing forms and strengths.

View all Erythromycin options