ClindamycinDose, contraindications and adverse effects for Cats, Dogs and Poultry.

Lincosamide antibiotic; blocks bacterial protein synthesis, active against gram-positive and anaerobic organisms. Labeled indications for clindamycin include treatment of skin infections (eg, wounds, abscesses), dental infections, and osteomyelitis (in dogs) caused by coagulase-positive staphylococci (ie, Staphy- lococcus aureus, Staphylococcus intermedius), Streptococcus spp (in cats), Bacteroides fragilis, Prevotella melaninogenicus, Fusobacterium necrophorum, and Clostridium perfringens.

Lincosamide antibiotics may act as bacteriostatic or bactericidal agents, depending on the concentration of the drug at the infection site and the susceptibility of the organism. Lincosamides act by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit of susceptible bacteria, thereby inhibiting peptide bond formation and protein synthesis of the bacterial cell wall.

Clindamycin should never be administered undiluted as a bolus. A calculated dose should be administered by IV intermittent infusion over at least 10 to 60 minutes (see Dosages). Although there have been case reports of parenteral administration of lincosamides to horses, cattle, and sheep, lincosamides are contraindicated in hind-gut fermenters, such as horses, ruminants, rabbits, hamsters, chinchillas, and guinea pigs, as serious GI effects, including death, can occur.

Reported adverse effects after oral administration in dogs and cats include gastroenteritis (eg, emesis, loose stool, infrequently bloody diarrhea [dogs]). In a study of healthy cats, administration of a symbiotic (prebiotic and probiotic mixture) 1 hour after administration of oral clindamycin reduced antibiotic-associated GI signs. In rabbits, cholestyramine reduced enterotoxemia caused by IV clindamycin administration.

■ Clinical efficacy ■ Culture and susceptibility testing as warranted by clinical presentation ■ Adverse effects, particularly vomiting and severe diarrhea ■ Periodic CBC and liver and kidney chemistry profiles if therapy persists for more than 30 days13