DoxycyclineDose, contraindications and adverse effects for Cats, Dogs, Horses and Poultry.

Tetracycline-class bacteriostatic antibiotic. Susceptible bacterial infections, proliferative enteropathy in foals.

Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis.

Doxycycline is contraindicated in patients that are hypersensitive to it. Because tetracyclines can retard fetal skeletal development, discolor deciduous teeth, and lead to enamel hypoplasia; tetracyclines should only be used in the last half of pregnancy when the benefits outweigh the fetal risks; however, doxycycline is much less likely to cause these abnormalities than other more water-soluble tetracyclines (eg, tetracycline, oxytetracycline).

The most commonly reported adverse effects of oral doxycycline therapy in dogs and cats are vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia. Giv- ing the drug with food may help alleviate these GI effects without significantly reducing drug absorption. Doxycycline monohydrate may be less likely to cause GI adverse effects and esophagitis/strictures than doxycycline hyclate,33 but comparative data in animals are lacking.

■ Clinical efficacy ■ Adverse effects (eg, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia) ■ Renal and hepatic function during long-term use