My dog suffers from ear infections, and I wondered if anyone knew where i could get this antibiotic called Cephalexin? My dog Nacho has had chronic infections and every time I take him to the vet, they priscribe the same priscription. Does anyone know where i can get this to keep handy?
2007-03-12 13:55:09 · 6 answers · asked by ruthie flowers 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Well, first of all, cephalexin is an antibiotic that is available by prescription only. You can always ask your vet to give you a script for it which you can fill at any human pharmacy, but definitely do NOT give your dog this medication if it comes from a source that doesn't require a prescription, because that is sketchy.
Second of all, dogs can have two types of ear infections: bacterial or yeast. You dog should have an ear cytology done every time he has an ear infection to confirm the type of infection. If it is just a yeast infection, he doesn't need antibiotics--he needs a topical antifungal ointment. Sometimes dogs need both a topical ointment AND antibiotics.
Furthermore, if he IS having repeated bacterial ear infections, you should ask your vet to do further diagnostics to find out why, such as having the ear cultured, or you may even need a referral to a specialist. Diagnostics or a trip to the specialist will be more expensive in the short-term, but in the longrun it will save you possibly hundreds of dollars, not to mention it will save your dog the pain and discomfort of having repeated ear infections.
Also be sure that when your vet does prescribe medications for his ears, that you give them religiously when you are supposed to and you complete the entire course of antibiotics.
Making sure that you keep his ears dry by drying them with a cotton ball after a bath may also help prevent these ear infections. Using a cleansing and drying ear solution for dogs, such as Otirinse, on a regular basis (like once to twice a week or more often if needed) can also help. Pick one up at your vet's office.
2007-03-12 14:08:36 · answer #1 · answered by Biz 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am assuming the vet usually prescribes cephalexin? There are an amazing amount of antibiotics available out there. Please, please, please dont self medicate your dog as you may do more damage than good. His immune system may come to rely on the antibiotics after a while if you over medicate him. Plus if you may also damage his liver too.
More importantly you need to discover what is causeing the ear infections. Does he swim often, or roll in dirt, or have a grass seed in there, is he long haired, do his ears get really dirty? Any of these things can cause ear infections. Keep an eye on him for a week and watch what he does that possibly can get debris in his ears. If he has long hair around his ears, trim it. If he rolls in dirt, put something there so he cant. Take him swimming less often. Clean his ears everyday using a cotton ball soaked in saline (from a pharmacist), but just clean the outer ear area, never actually inside the ear as this could be the cause too. Please try to discover the cause, not just medicate it when it happens. It can be quite painful and annoying for him when it happens, so try to stop it happening in the first place. Bizworth is right it could be a different sort of infection that needs something other than antibiotics.
2007-03-12 14:18:09 · answer #2 · answered by Big red 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
www.1800petmeds.com or call 1-800-Pet Meds. They will call your vet though. Try taking him to a different vet or have your own vet write a prescription to give to a human pharmacy such as Walgreens. That is the only way you can get Cephalexin. Any legitimate pharmacy will ask for a prescription.
2007-03-12 13:59:15 · answer #3 · answered by SAHM/Part Time Tutor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not all vets require that you get your medication from them (even though most offer to give it to you because it's convenient to just take it on your way home).
You could get a script and order online for a slightly cheaper rate, but honestly, you won't be able to get it without a prescription. Dogs cost money--that's just the way it is.
2007-03-12 14:03:53 · answer #4 · answered by Kelly R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cephalexin is a prescription antibiotic, and can only be given by a veterinarian.
2007-03-13 09:01:36 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a prescription antibiotic so it is only available through your vet or if your vet writes you a script you can get it from a human pharmacy.
2007-03-12 13:58:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask your vet to write a script and get it from chemist or if they will sell it to you over the counter.
It is illegal for vets to prescribe and dispense anything without seeing the animal unless it is an ongoing condition eg Epilepsy, diabetes, arthritis and with them your pet needs to be seen every 6 months unfortunately its law not just a money making exercise!
2007-03-12 13:59:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋