Azithromycin

What is this medication for?

• Bordetella pneumonia, pyoderma, Babesia gibsoni adjunct
• Upper respiratory infection, Bartonellosis

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

• Vomiting (Dose-related, less than erythromycin)
• Diarrhea (Occasional)
• Local into a vein site reaction (With into a vein use)

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: Macrolide hypersensitivity; do not give into a vein as bolus or into a muscle
• has or has had: Hepatic impairment; history of vomiting

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • Antacids (Mg/Al-containing)
  • Cyclosporine
  • Digoxin
  • Pimozide

Storage and handling

Tablets <30°C. Reconstituted oral suspension: 5–30°C, discard after 10 days. Do not refrigerate suspension per Plumb's client info.

Good to know

• Long tissue half-life allows intermittent (every-other-day to twice-weekly) dosing after an initial loading course — useful for owners who struggle with daily pilling.
• Despite common use for feline URI, do not rely on it for confirmed Mycoplasma haemofelis or to eliminate Chlamydophila felis — it isn't effective for those specific organisms even though clinical signs may improve (likely via immunomodulatory effects).