"Safe" Antibiotics for IMHA Dog w/possible bladder infection?

[Cynthia Strenk]

Safe antibiotics for IMH dog with possible UTI ? ( no fever)

[Vally]

Hi Cynthia and hi Ali.

We like nutty owners here!!

Have you seen the list under AIHA Terms for drugs that can trigger AIHA? It’s a huge list but you’ll see that the particular antibiotics to be avoided are the surfa drugs, cephalosporins and penicillins.

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/drugsantibiotics-can-trigger-aiha

Now there are times when you’ll find an infection is only sensitive to one of those and then you have no choice.

Doxycycline is probably the safest to use on our dogs.

I’m so sorry to read about the seizures. My boy Bingo had them before he had AIHA, but I suspect they were caused by vaccine injections which he had only had a month early. He had them for a few months and then stopped. They weren’t huge ones either but they terrified me, so I really hope that the seizures can stop.

Just a thought, has Ali’s thyroid been checked? That might be worth checking. Seizures can be a symptom of hypothyroidism.

My best, Vally

[Vally]

Oh, here’s the link to hypothyroidism, I meant to add above.

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/canine-hypothyroidism-resources

[Cynthia Strenk]

Thanks so much. She had a urine culture and the vet said it was ok. Ali has had them before but I just went with vet said. I’ll never know if antibiotics prescribed caused her second IMHA incident. This is my third vet so I sure appreciate people who like NUTTY dog owners . I already brought up the possible issue with Amoxicillin. I hate making the vet look incompetent . I have not gone to pick it up. My guy and mind say no. I am pretty sure that she told me urine was ok at first though Ali is prone to UTI’s. I think it is the beginning of Cushing’s Disease as the specialist had told me I might want to have her tested for that. That was 3 years ago. Ali is 11 years 4 months old.A 2 time miracle . Wouldn’t she have a fever if UT infection?? I just want to make the right decision. I am wondering is there an updated list of meds they can not have? Thank you . A worried mother.

[Vally]

Cynthia, I used to carry around a bit of paper with me that listed “Sulfa antibiotics, Cephalosporines and Penicillins”.

I remember the vet jotting that down on Bingo’s records and when Bingo had a quick operation to remove a large bleeding wart, I noticed on the bill that they had given him a shot of penicillin. I was so upset and they were incredibly apologetic. Anyway, nothing happened. In any event, Patrice, the site owner here mentioned that a shot of penicillin is far less dangerous that a course of penicillin medication and in fact the shot of penicillin may well have staved off any chance of an infection which could, again, have caused problems. So it’s never easy.

I found this explanation on one of the forum posts:

“Penicillins ( these drugs can “mark” red cells for destruction by affecting the cell membrane but are the least harmful of the 3)
Cephalosporines ( to be used if absolutely necessary e.g. staph infections)
Sulfa antibiotucs (absolute no-no)

Alternative antibiotics such as doxycycline & minocycline are known to be safe.”

When I introduced myself to my new vet I said to her I’m totally paranoid. I explained to her that I had almost lost Bingo twice and I was now super paranoid about him now. She really believed me when I was sitting on her doorstep one morning before they opened because he was suddenly limping. She then laughed and said it wasn’t a problem. Vets love paranoid owners. Well of course they do, we don’t wait for a problem to subside, we’re in there at the drop of a hat.

Vally (angel Bingo) and the new pest Saba.

[Cynthia Strenk]

12 year old IMHA 2 time survivor with A few to several days and nights in ICU and blood transfusions. Local vet says needs antibiotics. Can you tell if any antibiotics safe. I know a lot of antibiotics are not

[Vally]

Hi Cynthia

This is a very comprehensive list of antibiotics and drugs which can trigger AIHA.

https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/drugsantibiotics-can-trigger-aiha

Now when you look at the list it’s massive and will name so many of the drugs our dogs use, however, most important, is to avoid cephalosporins, sulfa drugs and penicillins. Sometimes even then though, if a bacteria is resistant, sometimes, there is no choice and we need to use what will work.

Check to see if Doxycycline can be used, it is one of the safer drugs for our dogs.

My best,
Vally

[Jon]

The link with a list of antibiotics to avoid (https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/AIHA_Terms/drugsantibiotics-can-trigger-aiha) doesn’t work. Could someone send me an updated link or list?