Clindamycin

Introduction

Clindamycin is an antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections of the skin, mouth, and bone in dogs and cats. It may also be prescribed for other infections, such as toxoplasmosis. Clindamycin is generally administered twice a day and should ideally be given with food to enhance absorption and reduce gastrointestinal upset.

Skeletal formula of Clindamycin

Missed doses and Changing medications

If you miss a dose of Clindamycin, administer it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and continue with the regular dosing schedule at the next dose time.

Monitoring and Labwork

In some instances, the medical team may recommend we recheck labwork like a white blood cell count or culture before discontinuing this medication. Please contact the medical team if you have questions.

Potential Side effects

Clindamycin is generally well tolerated by both dogs and cats. However, the following side effects have been reported:

Gastrointestinal Side Effects: The most common issues are inappetence, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Allergic Reactions: Allergic and skin reactions are possible but rare.
Esophageal Strictures in Cats: Cats can develop esophageal strictures if the tablet or capsule form of the medication is administered without adequate food or water.