MDose · Veterinary drug reference
CLINDAMYCIN
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One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
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Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications3
Wounds, abscesses, osteomyelitis (S. aureus)
DogOn-label (ON_LABEL)1 source record · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Wounds, abscesses, osteomyelitis (S. aureus) — Authorized (FDA)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Indications table · Not applicable · On-label (ON_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Anaerobic infections, dental/oral infections, protozoal disease (toxoplasmosis, Neospora, Hepatozoon, Babesia adjunct)
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Anaerobic infections, dental/oral infections, protozoal disease (toxoplasmosis, Neospora, Hepatozoon, Babesia adjunct) — Extra-label
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Anaerobic infections, dental/oral infections, protozoal disease (toxoplasmosis, Neospora, Hepatozoon, Babesia adjunct) — Extra-label
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens6
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects205
GI (vomiting, loose/bloody stools) — Common
DogCatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Esophagitis/esophageal strictures — If dry-pilled without water/food
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Hypersalivation/lip smacking — Oral liquid — high alcohol content unpalatable
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pain on IM injection — Common
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Vomiting199 reports
- Anorexia135 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')126 reports
- Death by euthanasia116 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS108 reports
- Death85 reports
- Diarrhoea79 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)76 reports
- Leucocytosis NOS71 reports
- Emesis65 reports
- Lack of efficacy - NOS65 reports
- Weight loss64 reports
Cat
- Diarrhoea74 reports
- Vomiting73 reports
- Anorexia66 reports
- Death62 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')62 reports
- Death by euthanasia50 reports
- Ataxia45 reports
- Not eating44 reports
- Weight loss42 reports
- Other abnormal test result NOS33 reports
- Behavioural disorder NOS32 reports
- Fever30 reports
Monitoring1
Clinical efficacy; mild transient ↑ liver enzymes possible (not usually clinically significant)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Horses, rodents, rabbits, ruminants — serious/fatal GI effects; hypersensitivity to lincosamides
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions4
Severe hepatic/renal dysfunction (consider dose reduction); avoid in neonates
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Always follow oral dosing with food or a water bolus, especially in cats — esophageal stricture risk from dry-pilling is well documented.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Never use in horses, ruminants, rabbits, or rodents — risk of fatal Clostridium-associated enterocolitis.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Used with pyrimethamine + TMP/sulfa as part of multi-drug Hepatozoon protocols.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions3
Erythromycin — In vitro antagonism — avoid concurrent use
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Cyclosporine — May reduce cyclosporine levels
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Neuromuscular blockers (pancuronium) — Clindamycin has intrinsic NMJ blocking activity — additive effect
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics5
Bioavailability — ~73% PO (dog)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Protein binding — ~93% (human data)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Half-life — 2–5h (5.5 mg/kg dose) to 7–10h (11 mg/kg dose), dog
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Partial hepatic, active + inactive metabolites
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Elimination — Urine, feces, bile
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Crosses placenta (~46% of maternal serum in cord blood). Papich canine/feline class A. Distributed into milk — nursing offspring may develop diarrhea.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 290–293; Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs (Papich), 4th ed., p. 169–171 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references10
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Sarcocystosis from a One Health perspective: Revisiting zoonotic potential, transmission dynamics, clinical features, and control strategies.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Molecular prevalence and clinical profiles of canine babesiosis in northern India.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Efficacy of a multivalent inactivated Salmonella vaccine against fecal shedding and organ dissemination in chickens.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- First molecularly-confirmed canine rickettsiosis in Southern Philippines (Cebu): A case report.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Whole-genome sequencing reveals hidden antimicrobial resistance genes in phenotypically susceptible probiotic candidate lactic acid bacteria.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.
Available products
Products listed in the Health Canada Drug Product Database for this active ingredient. A listing does not establish that a product is authorized for the clinical uses described on this page.