Doxycycline for Dogs: Safe Dosages and Recommended Uses

If your dog contracts Lyme disease or develops heartworms, your veterinarian is likely to include doxycycline in the treatment regimen. Doxycycline for dogs is marketed under various brand names and is a safe and effective medication for treating multiple infections in most dogs. Depending on your policy details, it is generally covered by pet insurance. Below, you will find important information about doxycycline for dogs, including dosage data, possible side effects, drug interactions, and what to expect once your dog starts taking this medication.

What is Doxycycline for Dogs?

Doxycycline is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that acts against a wide range of bacteria. In addition to its ability to fight bacteria, it also has antimicrobial properties that work against multiple microorganisms, making it an effective treatment for adult heartworms in dogs.

Mechanism of Action

Tetracycline drugs like doxycycline work by inhibiting protein synthesis and altering the permeability of the cytoplasmic membrane in bacterial and microbial cells. This process blocks bacterial growth, allowing the dog’s immune system to destroy the infection.

Doxycycline Formulations

Doxycycline for dogs is an oral antibiotic available in tablet or liquid form. It is also available as a gel to treat periodontal disease in dogs. Doxycycline is the generic name, although it is marketed under the following brand names:

• Vibramycin
• Periostat
• Doryx
• Acticlate
• Oracea
• Monodox

Is Doxycycline for Dogs the Same as for Humans?

Oral doxycycline as an antibiotic is a human medication that is occasionally used to treat diseases in dogs. Except for the gel formulation, which was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating periodontal disease in dogs, doxycycline is not FDA-approved for veterinary use. For this reason, veterinarians typically prescribe compounded formulations of doxycycline for dogs. These compounded versions are specially formulated to provide the correct potency and dosage for each canine patient. Never administer human-prescribed doxycycline to your dog, nor should you take the medication formulated for your pet.

Safety of Doxycycline in Dogs

Most dogs can take doxycycline without issues, although some may experience mild side effects. Rarely, doxycycline can cause liver disease or hepatic failure in dogs. Some dogs may also have allergic reactions.

“Use this medication with caution in puppies, as possible abnormalities in teeth and bones can occur in growing pets,” says Dr. Danielle Rutherford, D.V.M., associate veterinarian at Westside Veterinary Center in New York.

For this reason, doxycycline should not be administered to pregnant or nursing female dogs.

Uses of Doxycycline for Dogs

Doxycycline for dogs is commonly used to treat the following conditions:

• Tick-borne diseases, including:
  • Lyme disease
  • Rocky Mountain spotted fever
  • Rickettsia
  • Anaplasma
  • Ehrlichia
• Kennel cough
• Respiratory infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Dental disease
• Leptospirosis
• Heartworm disease

Doxycycline is also sometimes used in combination with other medications to treat autoimmune skin diseases in dogs, such as discoid lupus erythematosus.

Administration of Doxycycline in Dogs

Doxycycline should only be given to your dog under veterinary prescription. Your veterinarian will provide instructions on the frequency and duration of treatment. It is recommended to give this medication with meals, as taking doxycycline with food helps prevent stomach upset, according to Dr. Rutherford.

When Not to Administer Doxycycline

Doxycycline should not be given to pregnant or nursing female dogs, or puppies, as it could cause deformities or dental abnormalities in developing puppies. It should also not be given to dogs with liver disease.

Inform your veterinarian if your dog is taking any of the following medications, which could cause interactions that reduce doxycycline’s effectiveness:

• Acid reducers
• Anticoagulants
• Penicillin or other antibiotics
• Anticonvulsant medications

Additionally, dogs taking doxycycline should avoid dairy products and iron-rich foods, which can impair the absorption of the medication.

Safe Dosage of Doxycycline for Dogs

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the typical dose of doxycycline for dogs is 5 to 10 mg per kilogram of body weight. Depending on the condition being treated and its severity, it may be administered once every 12 to 24 hours for up to 45 days. To ensure safety and optimal effectiveness, it is important to follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding the correct dosage.

Overdose Possibility

While overdose in dogs is rare, it can happen. Symptoms of overdose include vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite. You can prevent overdose by carefully following your veterinarian’s dosing instructions and keeping the medication out of reach of your dog. If you miss a dose and it’s almost time for the next one, do not double the dose, as this could cause an overdose. Simply skip the missed dose and resume the normal amount at the next administration.

If you believe your dog has ingested too much doxycycline, contact your veterinarian immediately or reach out to an animal poison control hotline like ASPCA Animal Poison Control. Consultation fees may apply.

Daily Administration

Follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding doxycycline administration. It is usually given once or twice daily for a specified period of up to 45 days. Unless your veterinarian determines that the prescription needs to be extended, it is generally not necessary to continue giving doxycycline after completing the prescribed course.

Side Effects of Doxycycline

The most common side effects of doxycycline in dogs are gastrointestinal symptoms, usually caused by giving the medication on an empty stomach. These include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite

Less common but more serious side effects may include:

• Lethargy
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight
• Elevated liver enzymes

Although rare, doxycycline can cause liver disease or hepatic failure in dogs. Symptoms include:

• Yellowing of skin, gums, and eyes
• Abnormal bleeding
• Vomiting and diarrhea
• Low energy
• Seizures

Additionally, some dogs may be allergic to doxycycline. Signs of an allergic reaction include:

• Skin rash or redness
• Swelling
• Difficulty breathing

If your dog shows any of the more severe symptoms, or if gastrointestinal issues do not resolve with food administration, you should stop giving the medication and contact your veterinarian immediately. Signs of an allergic reaction or liver failure should be treated as a veterinary emergency.

Pet Insurance Coverage

Whether doxycycline is covered by pet insurance depends on whether your policy covers the condition being treated. Most pet insurance companies will reimburse the cost of prescribed medications as long as it is not for a pre-existing condition. To find out if your pet insurance will cover doxycycline for your dog, review your policy or contact your insurance provider.

Effectiveness Time and Duration

Doxycycline generally begins to work in dogs within two hours after the first dose. However, it may take several days before your dog shows visible signs of improvement.

System Persistence

According to VCA Animal Hospitals, doxycycline stays in the dog’s system for 24 hours. However, the dose of doxycycline for dogs is usually administered every 12 to 24 hours to maintain therapeutic levels in the blood.

Conclusion

Doxycycline for dogs is a tetracycline-class antibiotic used to treat Lyme disease, kennel cough, and heartworm disease. While generally safe, it should not be given to pregnant or nursing females, puppies, or dogs with liver disease. Typical side effects include vomiting or diarrhea, but these can usually be prevented by administering the medication with food. Always follow your veterinarian’s recommendations to ensure the best health outcome for your pet.