Clindamycin for Dogs

PetMD’s medications content was written and reviewed by veterinary professionals to answer your most common questions about how medications function, their side effects, and what species they are prescribed for. This content shouldn’t take the place of advice by your vet.

What Is Clindamycin Used for in Dogs?

Clindamycin is a prescription antibiotic medication prescribed in dogs and cats to treat skin infections, wounds, abscesses, respiratory infections, and oral infections related to dental disease.

Clindamycin is used off-label to treat certain protozoal infections in dogs and cats such as babesiosis, hepatozoonosis, neosporosis, and toxoplasmosis.

Clindamycin is also used off-label for the treatment of susceptible infections in other species such as birds, ferrets, and reptiles. It’s important to note that clindamycin should not be given to species including horses, cows, sheep, goats, and other small mammals, as clindamycin can cause fatal diarrhea in these species.

The term off- or extra-label use means that a medication is prescribed for a certain use, or in a particular species, that is not specified on the medication label. Veterinarians can legally prescribe medications for off-label use in certain circumstances. Your veterinarian will determine whether this medication is right for your pet.

In certain circumstances, your vet may recommend a compounded formulation of clindamycin.

Compounded medications are prescribed if there’s a specific reason your pet’s health can’t be managed by an FDA-approved drug, such as if your pet has trouble taking pills in capsule form, the dosage strength is not commercially available, or the pet is allergic to an ingredient in the FDA-approved medication.

Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. They are created by either a veterinarian or a licensed pharmacist on an individual basis to best suit a patient’s particular needs.

Clindamycin is FDA-approved for dogs in various oral formulations under the brand names Clintabs® and Antirobe®. It’s also FDA-approved for dogs and cats under the brand names Antirobe Aquadrops® and Clinsol®, as well as generic clindamycin.

Clindamycin for Dogs Considerations

Clindamycin should be used with caution in pets with certain medical conditions, such as severe kidney disease or very severe liver disease, and not used in pets who are hypersensitive to it.

Giving clindamycin with certain medications can result in health risks to your pet, so it’s important to discuss your pet’s medications, including vitamins and supplements, and medical conditions with your veterinarian.

The safe use of clindamycin in breeding or pregnant dogs and cats had not been established at the time of this publication.

How Clindamycin Works in Dogs

Clindamycin is in the drug class of lincosamide antibiotics.

Clindamycin blocks the formation of crucial proteins in susceptible bacteria, which prevents the bacteria from multiplying and growing.

Clindamycin for Dogs Directions

• Follow the directions on the drug label for the liquid or tablets, or as provided by your veterinarian.

• Offering this medication with food may help when giving it to your pet. This medication has a bitter taste, which may make administration difficult and cause drooling.

• Give your pet at least one tablespoon (15 mL) of water or a small amount of food following administration of clindamycin pills, subject to the instructions of your veterinarian.

• Administering probiotics, such as Purina® Pro Plan® Fortiflora®, while administering clindamycin may help to prevent digestive upset.

Missed a Dose?

Speak with your veterinarian about what to do if you forget to give a dose of clindamycin.

Generally, your veterinarian may instruct you to give it when you remember, or if it’s almost time for your pet’s next dose, to skip the missed dose and resume your normal dosing schedule.

Do not give extra or double doses.

Possible Side Effects of Clindamycin in Dogs

Clindamycin is generally tolerated well but may cause digestive side effects including: 

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Lack of appetite

• Lethargy

Additional side effects may include:

• Drooling

• Bloody diarrhea

Human Side Effects

Clindamycin is also a prescription medication for humans, frequently with dosages different from those prescribed for your pet by a veterinarian.

Due to possible side effects, humans should never use medicine dispensed for their pets, and pets should not be given any medicine dispensed for a human’s use.

If you accidentally ingest clindamycin prescribed for your pet, call your physician or the national Poison Control Center hotline at 1-800-222-1222.  

Monitoring Your Pet

Specific monitoring or routine testing while your pet is on this medication may be recommended by your veterinarian, depending on your pet’s individual needs, other medications they may be on, and/or the issue that initially caused your pet to be placed on this medication.

When To Call Your Vet

Call your veterinarian if any of the following apply:

• You see severe side effects (above)

• Your pet’s condition worsens or does not improve with treatment

• You see or suspect an overdose

• You have additional questions or concerns about the use of clindamycin

Clindamycin Overdose in Dogs Information

Overdoses of clindamycin are very rare. Long-term overdoses could include:

• Loss of appetite

• Vomiting

• Weight loss

• Stomach ulcers

• Liver irritation

• Kidney damage

• Gallbladder disease

If you suspect an overdose, contact your veterinarian immediately, seek emergency veterinary care, or call an animal poison control center. Consultation fees often apply.

• Pet Poison Helpline® 855-764-7661

• ASPCA® Animal Poison Control 888-426-4435

How To Store Clindamycin for Dogs

Follow these tips when storing your pet’s clindamycin:

• Always confirm storage temperatures by reading the label.

• Commercially available liquid and tablet versions of clindamycin should be stored at controlled room temperatures between 68–77 degrees F (20–25 degrees C).

• Keep the container tightly closed to protect from moisture and light.

• Compounded medications should be stored according to the compounding pharmacy’s label.

• Keep out of reach of children and pets.