Clindamycin

What is this medication for?

• Wounds, abscesses, osteomyelitis (S. aureus)
• Anaerobic infections, dental/oral infections, protozoal disease (toxoplasmosis, Neospora, Hepatozoon, Babesia adjunct)

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.

• Always follow oral dosing with food or a water bolus, especially in cats — esophageal stricture risk from dry-pilling is well documented.
• Never use in horses, ruminants, rabbits, or rodents — risk of fatal Clostridium-associated enterocolitis.

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 (vomiting, loose/bloody stools) (Common)
• Esophagitis/esophageal strictures (If dry-pilled without water/food)
• Hypersalivation/lip smacking (Oral liquid — high alcohol content unpalatable)
• Pain on into a muscle injection (Common)

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Any new symptom that worries you.

⚠️ 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: Horses, rodents, rabbits, ruminants — serious/fatal stomach/intestinal effects; hypersensitivity to lincosamides
• has or has had: Severe hepatic/renal dysfunction (consider dose reduction); avoid in neonates

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • Erythromycin
  • Cyclosporine
  • Neuromuscular blockers (pancuronium)

Storage and handling

Room temperature, protect from light and freezing. Reconstituted solutions stable 2 weeks; compounded stability ≥60 days.

Good to know

• Always follow oral dosing with food or a water bolus, especially in cats — esophageal stricture risk from dry-pilling is well documented.
• Never use in horses, ruminants, rabbits, or rodents — risk of fatal Clostridium-associated enterocolitis.
• Used with pyrimethamine + TMP/sulfa as part of multi-drug Hepatozoon protocols.