Doxycycline is a semi-synthetic tetracycline antibiotic, derived from oxytetracycline. It may be used orally (dogs, cats and horses) or intravenously (dogs and cats). Tetracycline antibiotics are broad-spectrum and bacteriostatic. Their mechanism of action is through the inhibition of protein synthesis, and the alteration of cytoplasmic membrane permeability within the susceptible organism.
We ship worldwide from Europe and from USA. We work with Vets.Doxycycline is more lipid soluble than other tetracycline antibiotics and may reach higher levels in some of the difficult to penetrate areas, such as synovial fluid, central nervous system, prostate and the eyes.
Tetracycline antibiotics, including doxycycline, are effective against a broad spectrum of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, and wide variety of other organisms including Rickettsia, Spirochetes, Mycoplasma, Leptospira, Anaplasma, and Chlamydia. In addition to its use as an antibiotic, doxycycline is used in low doses as an anti-inflammatory and adjunct treatment for arthritis and degenerative joint-disease in dogs and horses. This use is based on the inhibition of metallo-matrix proteinases.
Doxycycline is well absorbed after oral administration and its absorption is minimally affected by the presence of food in the stomach. Doxycycline may be used in animals with decreased kidney function because it is eliminated primarily via the GI tract.
Dogs and Cats
Doxycycline is used in dogs to treat susceptible bacterial infections and infections caused by Rickettsia, Canine ehrlichiosis (anaplasmosis), Toxoplasma, Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease), Leptospirosis and Neorickettsia helminthoeca (salmon poisoning).Doxycycline is used in cats to treat susceptible bacterial infections and infections caused by a number of other organisms including Bartonella, Hemoplasma, Chlamydia felis, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, and Toxoplasma.
There is some interesting research regarding the use of doxycycline as a “pre-treatment” in animals with circulating microfilaria due to heartworm disease. The research indicates that the pathogenic microfilaria are generally infected with a symbiotic bacteria called Wolbachia, which is sensitive to doxycycline. Pre-treatment with doxycycline is postulated to adverse reactions to microfilarial death.
Doxycycline gel is used topically in the mouth of dogs and cats for periodontal disease. Local application in the sulcus provides higher concentrations of the drug than may be achieved with systemic antibiotics.
Horses
Doxycycline is used in horses to treat susceptible bacterial infections and tick-borne diseases such as Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease).
Side Effects
Precautions
Drug Interactions