Doxycycline

Doxycycline Antibiotic for Dogs & Cats

Doxycycline is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of infections in dogs and cats, including infections caused by ticks.

Doxcylcline Dosing & Administration

Doxycycline is typically administered twice a day and should always be given with food to help prevent gastrointestinal upset. Follow the prescription label and the plan provided for your pet.

Missed doses & Changing medications

If your pet misses a dose of doxycycline, give the missed dose as soon as you remember unless the next scheduled dose is due soon. If the next dose is due soon, skip the missed dose and give the next dose at the regular scheduled time. Do not give extra or double doses unless your pet’s veterinary team specifically instructs you to.

Contact your pet’s veterinary team before making changes to a doxycycline plan.

Monitoring & Lab work

In some instances, your pet’s veterinary team may recommend rechecking lab work, such as a white blood cell count, tick panel, or culture, before discontinuing this medication. If questions come up about monitoring or next steps, contact your veterinary team.

Special precautions for Doxycycline

Again, doxycycline should always be given with food. In cats, it’s recommended to give 5 mL of water by syringe after each dose.

Potential Side effects of Doxycycline

Doxycycline is generally well-tolerated by dogs and cats, but side effects have been reported, including:

  • Gastrointestinal upset: vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite (the most common side effects)

  • Liver enzymes: liver enzyme values may increase, although these elevations are typically not clinically significant

  • Allergic reactions: allergic and skin reactions (rare)

  • Esophageal strictures: particularly if the medication is given without adequate food or water

Doxycycline FAQs

  • Doxycycline is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of infections in dogs and cats, including infections caused by ticks.

  • Doxycycline is typically given twice a day and should always be given with food. In cats, it’s recommended to give 5 mL of water by syringe after each do

  • If your pet misses a dose of doxycycline, give the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it’s close to the next scheduled dose time on the prescription label. If it’s close, skip the missed dose and give the next dose at the regular scheduled time.

  • Your veterinary team may recommend rechecking lab work, such as a white blood cell count, tick panel, or culture, before discontinuing the medication.

  • Doxycycline is generally well-tolerated, but gastrointestinal upset can occur. Liver enzyme values may increase, allergic and skin reactions are possible but rare, and esophageal strictures can occur, particularly if the medication is given without adequate food or water.