Antibiotic Use in Neonates
Neonate puppies process and respond to drugs differently than adult dogs so antibiotics must be carefully selected and used. These lists are provided simply as a reference. Please depend upon your veterinarian to guide your treatment of fading or ill puppies.
Antibiotics Considered Safe for Use in Neonate Puppies
- Amoxicillin
- Amoxicillin trihydrate-clavulanate potassium (Clavamox)
- Cefovecin sodium, e.g., Convenia
- Cephalosporins, e.g., Cephalexin
- Macrolides, e.g, tylosin (Tylan), azithromycin
Antibiotics Considered Useful in Specific Circumstances
- Aminoglycosides (increase dose interval; use only when there are no other options)
- Chloramphenicol (for pups only! Reduce dose from adult dosing)
- Fluoroquinolones, e.g., grepafloxacin (use with caution; can cause joint lesions)
- Metronidazole (increase dose interval; watch for central nervous system toxicosis)
- Potentiated sulfonamides, e.g., Primor, Tribrissen (increase dose interval; reduce dose)
Antibiotics to Avoid Unless There Are No Other Options
- Aminoglycosides (if there are no other options)
- Tetracyclines (if there are no other options)
Sources for the lists are: Chandler, ML. Canine neonatal mortality, in Proceedings, Society for Theriogenology Annual Meeting, 1990, pp 243-253; Macintire, DK, Intensive care management. In: Hoskins, JD, ed. Veterinary pediatrics: dogs and cats from birth to 6 months. Phila, PA: WB Saunders Co, 2001, pp 62-73.
