albon-for-dogs[/caption]What Is Albon Medication For Dogs Used For?
Albon (generic name: sulfadimethoxine) for dogs is an antibiotic medication used to treat bacterial infections in dogs. It is also used to treat a coccidiosis, a serious parasitic infection in dogs. Albon for dogs is available in a tablet or liquid form. It is also available as an injection. The use of Albon requires a prescription from a veterinarian. In tablet or liquid form, Albon is usually given once every 24 hours. The first dose your dog takes may be larger then the following doses.
Special Note: Make Sure You're Using Albon for Dogs
Note that this medicine is also available for cats. Do not use the cat medicine on dogs or the dog version for cats. The doses will not match, in which case your pet might encounter severe side effects or the medication will be ineffective.
What Albon Treats
Albon is approved for the treatment of infections caused by organisms that include staphylococcus, escherichia and salmonella. Among the infections it treats are respiratory infections including tonsillitis, bronchitis and pneumonia; skin infections; anal gland infections; skin wounds; urinary tract infections and infections in the uterus. Your vet may recommend this medication for other infections not listed here. Your vet may also switch your dog from another medication to Albon if your dog's infection isn't getting better.
Guidelines for Safe Use
As with any medication, make sure you discuss the guidelines for safe use with your vet. Proper dosage is key for any treatment, and in most cases Albon is prescribed in doses of 10 to 50 milligrams per pound one time per day. Treatment plans usually last between two and three weeks.
When You Should NOT Use Albon
If your dog is allergic to sulfonamide antibiotics ("sulfa drugs"), he should not be treated with Albon. Signs of allergy can include trouble breathing and skin rash.
If your dog is pregnant or nursing, she should not get Albon, nor should her puppies if they are younger than 7 weeks of age. If your dog has kidney or liver disease, the vet will probably prescribe a different medicine. If your dog is taking certain medications, such as phenytoin (an anti-seizure drug), warfarin (a blood thinner), aspirin and methotrexate (a chemotherapy drug) she should not take Albon. Make sure your vet knows of all the medications and supplements your dog takes. Even herbal supplements can interact with prescription drugs.
Possible Side Effects
Possible side effects from Albon include fever, skin rash, vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, joint pain and dry eye may also occur. Call your vet if any of these side effects develop. Also call your vet if your dog develops any new symptoms that are not listed above while taking this medicine. It is sometimes difficult to determine if these new symptoms are side effects from the medication or not. It is best to call your vet when in doubt.
Uncommon Side Effects
While any side effects are unpleasant, some uncommon side effects from Albon are jaundice, kidney or liver damage, or vertigo. If you see your dog suffering from any of these, call your vet immediately.
Other Considerations
Albon, like all antibiotics, is not effective against viral infections. However, to be effective against bacteria, you should make sure to finish the entire treatment, unless told otherwise by your vet. Even if your dog seems to be completely healthy, some resistant bacteria may still be infecting your dog. If you stop the treatment too early, the infection could worsen or the cured infection can recur. During treatment, make sure your dog drinks plenty of water to avoid formation of crystals in the kidneys.
What is Albon?
Albon is a prescription antibiotic drug. It is used for the treatment of certain bacterial infections as well as treatment of coccidiosis, a protozoal infection of the intestinal tract.
Who is it for?
Albon is labeled for use in cats and dogs, and may be prescribed for other species.
What are the benefits?
| * | Prescription antibiotic used to treat susceptible bacterial infections |
| * | Also used to treat coccidiosis, a protozoal intestinal infection |
| * | Available in multiple dosage forms for easy administration |
Albon is prescribed as a general antiprotozoal for the treatment of coccidiosis, a protozoal infection of the intestinal tract. Albon is also prescribed for the treatment of a wide range of susceptible bacterial infections. Liquid is a palatable custard flavor, and tablets are available in a variety of strengths.
How does Albon work?
This medication works by inhibiting the production of folic acid in bacteria. Without folic acid, bacteria and coccidia cannot make essential proteins and eventually die.
Is there a generic equivalent available?
No
How is it given?
Albon tablets and oral suspension are given by mouth, and may be given with food. Encourage your pet to drink water when taking Albon to prevent crystals from forming in the urine.
Always follow the dosage instructions provided by your veterinarian. If you have difficulty giving the medication, contact your veterinarian. Use all of the medication prescribed, even if your pet appears well. If the entire course of treatment is not given, the infection may recur or worsen.
What results can I expect?
Albon is absorbed well from the digestive system and is distributed to many body tissues, making it effective against infections in multiple organs. It is active against many different types of bacteria. It is usually given once a day for a number of days. If doses are missed or the entire treatment regimen is not completed, the infection could recur or worsen. Consult your veterinarian if the animal's condition does not improve or worsens after beginning treatment with Albon.
What form(s) does it come in?
Tablets and Oral Suspension
Treating Coccidia in Dogs with Albon (Sulfadimethoxine)
Coccidia, or coccidiosis, in dogs is often treated with a drug called Albon. This protozal infection is the most prevalent and opportunistic intestinal disease in North America. Dogs in kennels are the most susceptible to acquiring this disease, so the use of Albon to help prevent it is recommended.
Coccidia Explained
The coccidia disease is spread through different types of protozoa parasites. Some dogs that acquire coccidia deal with the infection with great ease and little noticeable symptoms. Other dogs, however, become very ill and sometimes even die from coccidia because of the how quickly the parasites multiply within the intestines.
Coccidia affect the intestines so a dog may have watery diarrhea with traces of blood. In more severe cases, a dog's diarrhea will contain blood and mucous, and the dog will strain to relieve himself. Dehydration often accompanies diarrhea along with weight loss and a loss of appetite. Some of the parasites that can cause coccidia can even form small tumors in the intestinal walls. When coccidia affect a dog's nervous system, a dog may have convulsions and muscle tremors.
The sooner coccidia is treated, the better the prognosis for a dog. If left untreated, secondaryinfections such as pneumonia can develop along with permanent damage to the body.
Treating Coccidia in Dogs with Albon (Sulfadimethoxine)
The first method to treating most dog diseases is with prevention. With this in mind, a veterinarian may recommend that a pet owner give a dog Albon to help prevent coccidia if he will be in a kennel for a period of time. Sulfadimethoxine products can be purchased as a pill, injection, or oral suspension product.
Albon is a low-dose medication that's quickly absorbed into a dog's body and contains a long-lasting sulfonamide. The sulfadimethoxine within Albon is a bacteriostatic agent, which doesn't allow the parasites to create folic acid from from para-aminobenzoic acids. Unlike other animals, when a dog takes Albon, the sulfadimethoxine isn't acetylated and the medication goes through his body unchanged. To ensure coccidia treatment through the use of Albon is successful, a dog should be given this medicine soon after the infection is discovered so he can gain a high sulfonamide level in his body quickly. The infected dog needs to take Albon throughout the whole course of the infection and even for some time afterwards. The length of time which a dog takes Albon depends on the dog's response to the therapy. Typically, a dog will take this medication for about 5 days, until he is asymptomatic for at least 48 hours. However, it is advised that a pet owner administer all of the medication prescribed to a dog that is ill with coccidia so the infection doesn't return. Also, a dog that’s taking Albon for the treatment of coccidia should drink a lot of water so crystals don't form in his urine.
Coccidia is an opportunistic infection that can turn deadly in some dogs quickly. If a dog displays gastrointestinal symptoms, he should be taken to a veterinary clinic so he can be prescribed Albon as soon as possible if he's diagnosed with coccidia.
