Cephalexin is one of several antibiotics (medicines that kill bacteria) used to treat a range of bacterial infections in people, dogs, and other animals. Like other antibiotics, it does not work against viral infections.
It belongs to the class of antibiotics known as a first-generation cephalosporin. The drug also goes by the name cefalexin. These are the generic names for a drug that is known by the brand names Keflex, Biocef, and Keftab. It is an oral medication and can be given with or without food. Offering the drug with food, however, can reduce the risk of some of the more common side effects.
Tell your vet if your dog is taking any other kind of drug, including herbal and over-the-counter remedies, or has a medical issue that might rule out cephalexin treatment, including:
The World Health Organization includes this drug on its List of Essential Medicines. It is effective against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, and it kills these bugs by disrupting the growth of the bacterial cell wall and causing it to rupture.
According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Cephalexin is a semisynthetic cephalosporin antibiotic It is 7-(D-α-amino-α-phenylacetamido)-3-methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid, monohydrate.
Cephalexin is effective against several infections in dogs, including:
The drug is considered a broad-spectrum antibiotic, and is effective against several bacteria, including:
As in humans, antibiotic treatment with drugs like cephalexin are usually well-tolerated. This drug can interact with other medications, including the antibiotic penicillin and some blood thinners. Some side effects to look out for include:
If you see any of these side effects, contact your veterinarian.
Cephalexin is available by prescription. All antibiotics should be administered with veterinary supervision, and you must follow your medical professional's instructions to the letter. Never give your dog antibiotics that have been left over from a prescription for a person or another animal.
Here is a video describing the drug, including the pronunciation of the name, from the pet-products supply house Drs. Foster & Smith.
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