Metronidazole

Description

Metronidazole is used as an antibiotic to treat anaerobic bacterial infections. Anaerobic bacteria cannot live in the presence of oxygen. It is also used as an antiprotozoal to treat Giardia infections. Metronidazole is readily absorbed from the intestinal tract into the bloodstream.

Usage

Metronidazole is used as an antibiotic and as an antiprotozoal drug to treat Giardia infections that result in an infectious form of severe diarrhea. It is commonly used with other antibiotics to treat pleuropneumonia, peritonitis, abdominal abscesses, and other severe infections caused by aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Veterinarians often prescribe it to prevent infection after colic or after abdominal surgery, when mixed bacterial infections are a risk.

Metronidazole is absorbed rectally and may be used with very sick animals when weight loss and appetite loss are problems.

Dosage and Administration

Side Effects

Drug side effects are not commonly associated with metronidazole.  In other species of animals, neurological symptoms are sometimes observed when the animal is on long-term, moderate-to-high doses.

Precautions

Metronidazole causes birth defects in laboratory animals and should be avoided in pregnant or lactating animals.

Metronidazole is not FDA approved for use in horses, however it is commonly used and considered accepted practice.  It is a prescription drug and should be used only by or on the lawful written or oral order of a licensed veterinarian.

Metronidazole would be forbidden in any drug-free competition. It is important to check with the individual regulatory organization.

Interactions

Metronidazole increases the effect of anticoagulants, such as warfarin.

Cimetidine can interfere with the liver's ability to break down metronidazole and the dose may have to be reduced.

Overdose

No information is found on overdose in the horse.