Top 41 Best ANTIBIOTICS FOR DOGS Bacterial Infections

Bacteria found everywhere, in food, water, air, soil, and within our bodies. Commensals bacteria is the bacterial type found within a dog’s body without causing any harm. These types of bacteria help in various metabolic processes, e.g, commensals bacteria found in the digestive system help in indigestion. Our pets are more prone to develop a bacterial infection through open wounds, abscesses, when playing in contaminated soil, contaminated water, eat contaminated food, or even inhale the polluted air. 

Antibiotics are the special kind of substances (drugs) used to treat different types of bacterial infection in dogs, cats, kittens, puppies, other small animals. There are different classes of antibiotics, some related to penicillin-type antibiotics like amoxicillin, ampicillin, etc, others are fluoroquinolones like marbofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, etc and cephalosporins like cefpodoxime proxetil (simplicef), cefixime, cefepime, etc and macrolide antibacterial substances. 

Commensals bacteria are the bacteria that are found on the dog’s body like on the skin, in the stomach (digestive tract), etc, and do not cause harm. These types of bacteria are controlled by the immune system of the body. The immune system suppresses their growth, but sometimes if the immune system gets suppressed by any other reason (by using steroids, weakness, illness), commensals bacteria may abnormally start replication and their over-population/over-growth leads to a bacterial infection.

Bacterial Infections in Dogs

A dog may get moderate to chronic types of bacterial infections including kennel cough (due to Bordetella Bronchispectica bacteria), urinary tract infection (including bladder and kidney infection), periodontal disease (gums infection/tooth infection), eye infections, ear infections, genital area infection, a stomach infection, liver bacterial ailments, skin disorders i.e, pyoderma (pus in the skin), folliculitis (swelling of the hair follicles), cellulitis, etc. Antibiotics are also used to treat other bacterial diseases not described here.  

List of Best Antibiotic Drugs For Dogs

In the following article, I have shown the top 41 best antibiotics for dogs to treat all types of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Most of these are broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs, which means they are effective against a broad range of bacteria. 

If you’re looking for the best FDA (Food and Drug Administration, located in the United States of America) approved oral antibiotic drugs for the treatment of bacterial overgrowth, then you’re at the right place. I have provided a list of oral antibiotics for dogs, as well as, topical antibiotic creams, ointments, shampoo’s, lotion, etc. Some are antibacterial eye drops to treat infectious diseases of eyes. Liquid antibiotic suspensions are helpful for kittens and puppies as provided in low strengths. 

Below is the list of 40+ most effective antibiotics for dogs, cats, and other small animals used to treat a broad range of bacterial infections of dog’s skin, mouth, paws, nails, each and every part of the body including eyes, ear, and urinary tract.

1. Azithromycin (Antibacterial drug, available in oral tablets, liquid oral suspension and injection form)
2. Gentamicin (antibiotic, available in tablet, liquid, injection, and drops form)
3. Orbax (orbifloxacin) that is available in tablets, oral suspension, and injection form.
4. Marbofloxacin a fluoroquinolone, (brand name: Zeniquin)
5. Colloidal Silver, an immune booster that helps the body to fight against bacteria, viruses, etc
6. Mometamax ear/otic suspension (contains gentamycin sulfate, mometasone furoate monohydrate, clotrimazole)
7. Metronidazole (Flagyl), helps to restrict bacterial growth.
8. Doxycycline Hyclate (brand name: Vibramycin)
9. Amoxicillin Trihydrate, a penicillin-type antibiotic drug, that effectively treats all types of infectious diseases caused by bacteria in dogs.
10. Antirobe (clindamycin hydrochloride) Capsules and liquid suspension treats a variety of infectious diseases in small animals including dogs and cats.
11. Tobramycin Eye drops for dogs bacterial infections of eyes
12. Isathal eye gel/drops (contains fusidic acid), Second brand name: Fucithalmic eye drops/gel (contains fusidic acid)
13. Ofloxacin eye drops for bacterial eye infections in dogs. 
14. Moxifloxacin eye drops for chronic bacterial infections in dogs, cats, and other small animals.
15. Spectinomycin (available in injection and oral suspension form)
16. Terramycin
17. Primor tablets (sulfadimethoxine/ormetoprim)
18. Penicillin
19. Enrofloxacin (brand name: Baytril)
20. Cefpodoxime proxetil (brand name: Simplicef)
21. Moxifloxacin eye drops for chronic bacterial infections in dogs, cats, and other small animals.
22. chloramphenicol ___ brand name: “chloromycetin”
23. Erythromycin
24. Cefadroxil
25. Pradofloxacin (brand name: Veraflox)
26. Clavamox (co-amoxiclav or amoxicillin trihydrate+clavulanic acid) Chewable tablets, oral liquid suspension for dogs.
27. Lincomycin is available in oral capsules, oral suspension, and injectable solution form.
28. Naxcel powder (contains ceftiofur sodium) effectively treat bacterial infections in dogs.
29. Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim (brand name: Sulfatrim) highly recommended antibiotic for dogs by veterinarians. 
30. Cephalexin (brand name: Rilexine)
31. Convenia Injection (contains cefovecin sodium)
32. Ampicillin Injection for the treatment of a broad range of bacterial diseases.
33. Nuflor Injection (contains florfenicol)  for bovine respiratory disease (BRD)
34. Bactracillin G Benzathine Antibiotic Injection 
35. Liquamycin La-200 (contains oxytetracycline) Injection
36. Sulfadimethoxine (brand name: Albon)
37. Neomycin/Polymyxin Topical Cream For Dogs, Cats, and other small animals.
38. Bacitracin Zinc Ointment (for topical use)
39. Polysporin ointment (contains bacitracin_polymexin b)
40. Tylan Powder (contains tylosin tartrate)
41. Ciprofloxacin (a fluoroquinolone antibiotic drug)