Amoxicillin/Clavulanate

What is this medication for?

• UTI, skin/soft tissue infection, canine periodontal disease

How is it given?

Give exactly as your veterinarian prescribed — never change the dose or stop on your own unless your veterinarian has told you to.

What if I miss a dose?

• Give it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for the next dose (then skip the missed one; never double up).
• Call your clinic if you miss more than one dose in a row.

Side effects — what should I watch for?

Effects listed as common in this handout

• stomach/intestinal (diarrhea common, vomiting) (↑ with higher clavulanate proportion)

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Hypersensitivity reactions (Uncommon)
• Neurotoxicity (high dose/prolonged) (Rare)

⚠️ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice

• Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, facial swelling, or pale gums

Before starting (or refilling), tell your veterinarian if your pet:

• has or has had: Beta-lactam hypersensitivity; rabbits/rodents/guinea pigs (enterotoxemia risk)
• has or has had: Not orally absorbed in large animals — not recommended for that route/species

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • Bacteriostatic antimicrobials
  • Methotrexate
  • Probenecid

Storage and handling

<24°C, protect from light/moisture — clavulanate is moisture-sensitive. Reconstituted oral suspension stable 10 days refrigerated.

Good to know

• Veterinary formulation is a 4:1 amoxicillin:clavulanate ratio; human Augmentin ranges 2:1 to 7:1 — do not substitute doses interchangeably without checking the ratio.
• Some dermatologists double the labeled dose (25 mg/kg every 12 hours) for skin infections.
• Not useful orally in large animals — poor absorption of amoxicillin component.