Commensals bacteria inside a dog’s body remain suppressed by the immune system (body’s defense system against foreign subjects). They don’t harm the body but helps in different metabolic functions. For example, commensals bacteria found in the digestive system of a dog helps in digestion and to maintain healthy gut flora.

If a body’s immune system gets suppressed because of any reason i.e. allergens, medicines, steroids, viruses, etc these commensals bacteria may over-grow, and their over-replication and over-reproduction can result in developing a bacteria infection.

Antibiotics For Dogs Ear Infection

Yes! antibiotics help to treat bacterial infections (infectious diseases caused by bacteria) in animals.

Warning: Antibiotic drugs fight against bacteria and stop their over-growth. They don’t treat viral or yeast (fungal) infections in dogs. The misuse of antibiotics may cause antibiotic-resistance that is harmful and life-threatening.

Oral FDA-Approved Veterinary Antibiotics For Dogs

1. Enrofloxacin

It’s a food and drug administration (FDA) approved generic formula that treats all kinds of soft tissue infections caused by bacteria. Enrofloxacin belongs to the fluoroquinolones group of antibiotics and it’s most effective against a broad range of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

Baytril tablets contain enrofloxacin is a trademark of Bayer Corporation. It is available in three different strengths, i.e. 22.7mg, 68mg, and 136mg.

The ideal dosage of enrofloxacin for a dog should be from 5mg/kg (minimum) to 20mg/kg (maximum), depending upon the severity of the infection.

It means the actual dose of Baytril tablets for a 20lb (09kg) dog’s ear infection must be between 45mg to 180mg per day.

Enrofloxacin is a broad-spectrum quinolone that can easily treat a vast range of bacterial infections including ear infections, urinary tract (bladder, kidneys, ureters, etc) infections, wounds, respiratory tract infections, in dogs, cats, and other small animals.

2. Cefpodoxime Proxetil

It’s a third-generation cephalosporin (a group of antibiotic drugs) that is used to treat infectious diseases caused by bacteria. Simplicef is the trademark of Zoetis pharma, contains cefpodoxime proxetil, available in oral tablets and liquid suspension forms.

Fda has approved cefpodoxime proxetil (generic) to use in animals including canines and felines.

The film-coated tablets of cefpodoxime proxetil are available in two different strengths, i.e. 100mg and 200mg.

The ideal dosage of Simplicef for dogs is 2.3mg to 4.5mg per pound or 5mg to 10mg per kilogram.

This means the ideal dose of cefpodoxime proxetil (antibiotic) for a 20lb or 09kg dog should be between 46mg to 90mg.

3. Marbofloxacin

It is one of the best fluoroquinolone veterinary antibiotic drugs (for dogs) that remedy all kinds of skin infections (caused by bacteria) in canines and other small animals.

Zeniquin 25mg tablets (by Zoetis pharma, a subsidiary of Pfizer pharmaceuticals) contain “marbofloxacin” generic drug.

The recommended dose of marbofloxacin (Zeniquin tablets) for a dog’s ear (bacterial) infection is 1.25/lb (minimum) to 2.5mg/lb (maximum). That’s mean the ideal dose of marbofloxacin veterinary antibiotic drug for a 20 pounds dog should between 25mg per day (minimum) to 50mg per day (maximum).

Overdose of marbofloxacin in canines may cause some serious complications like diarrhea, upset stomach (i.e. gas, bloating, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, etc), skin rashes, and others not described here.

Always consult a veterinarian before giving any kind of prescription medicines to your pets.

4. Amoxicillin & Clavulanate Potassium Compound

It is the best example of a beta-lactam antibiotic drug that treats a broad range of bacterial infections in dogs, cats, other small animals, and humans (also).

Clavamox chewable tablets and liquid suspension contain “amoxicillin and clavulanic acid” that help to treat a broad range of bacterial diseases including dog’s urinary tract infections, all kinds of soft tissue infections, wounds, abscesses, otitis externa, otitis media, and otitis interna, etc.

This is an FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved veterinary antibacterial drug. Also, it’s safe to use in small animals including puppies (it’s available in liquid oral suspension form).

Clavamox tablets comes in four different strengths i.e. 62mg, 125mg, 250mg, and 375mg. Liquid 15ml oral suspension provides 62.5mg in each 01ml after reconstitution (in water).

The recommended dose of amoxicillin trihydrate and clavulanate potassium (CLAVAMOX) for ear (bacterial) infections in dogs is 6.25mg per pound. That’s mean for a 20lb dog (suffering from an ear infection) the ideal dose of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid should be 125mg per day. You can also give 125mg/day doses in two divided doses like 62.5mg in the morning and 62.5mg in the evening.

Like all prescription drugs, this veterinary-approved medicine should also be consumed with the great supervision of a veterinarian to avoid complications and side effects.

5. Cephalexin

Another strong antibacterial FDA-approved veterinary medicine for dog otitis (inflammation and swelling of the ears).

This generic belongs to the first generation of cephalosporin (class of antibiotic drugs) and treats broad-spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria by disrupting the process of bacterial cell wall synthesis.

This stops (restricts) the over-population (uncontrolled growth) of bacterial cells and helps to get rid of an infectious disease caused by a broad range of bacteria.

Rilexine chewable tabs (highly acceptable flavored tablets) contain the generic formulation “cephalexin”.

These highly palatable chewable tablets come in four different potencies 75mg, 150mg, 300mg, and 600mg.

The recommended dose of Cephalexin in dogs is 10mg/lb (minimum) to 20mg/lb (maximum) or 22mg/kg to 44mg/kg. That’s mean for a 20lb dog’s ears infection the suggested dose should between 200mg/day (minimum) to 400mg/day (maximum).

A veterinarian may decide the ideal dose of cephalexin for an ear (bacterial) infection of a dog after diagnosing the severity and intensity of infection (the exact condition).

Antibiotic Ear Drops For Dogs

I told you in the above section of this article that a dog may get an ear infection because of bacteria (in most cases), viruses, allergies, poor hygiene, and fungal or yeast, etc.

Viruses

Antibiotics don’t treat viral or fungal (yeast) infections. Viruses cause secondary bacterial infections in a dog’s body by suppressing the body’s immune system. The unusual and over-growth of commensals bacteria may develop a bacterial infection in any part of the body.

In the case of viruses generated by bacterial infections, antibiotics don’t work against viruses but help to treat secondary bacterial infections.

FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved anti-bacterial medicines are suggested to treat these kinds of secondary bacterial infections (caused by viruses, the primary cause).

Marbofloxacin, amoxicillin trihydrate/clavulanate potassium, cefpodoxime proxetil, and enrofloxacin are some common examples of FDA-approved veterinary drugs.

Fungal or Yeast

Anti-bacterial drugs don’t work against dog’s fungal/yeast ear infections. If the primary cause of a dog’s ear infection is fungi then you must need an anti-fungal medication for your pet.

So, don’t be panic because here I am going to share with you, the best antibacterial+antifungal_antiallergic veterinary-approved drops “Marbodex Aural E/D 10ML” that will help your pet to get rid of ears problem.

Marbodex Aural Ear Drops For Dogs

Marbodex contains the following ingredients;

Antibiotic drug: Marbofloxacin

Anti-fungal: Clotrimazole

Anti-allergic drug: Dexamethasone

It’s the best combination of antibacterial/antifungal and antiallergic medicines to treat all kinds of infectious diseases of dogs’ ears. Just put two drops of Marbodex ear drops in a dog infected ear thrice a day and see magical results.

Betamethasone/Neomycin Ear Drops

It’s the best example of off-label or extra-label antibacterial and antiallergic ear drops that can be used to treat a dog’s ear bacterial infection (caused by allergies). Allergies in dogs may surely cause ear (bacterial) infections that can be fatal and disturbing.

Pus may discharge through a dog’s infected ear and your best friend (pet) may feel the throbbing pain (sensation).

Betamethasone (a steroid) restricts the allergic symptoms i.e. irritation and scabies, etc. Neomycin is a famous antibiotic salt that effectively treats a broad range of bacterial infections including ears infection in dogs.