405 Heron Drive Suite 200
Swedesboro, NJ 08085
Ph 800.331.8272
www.wedgewoodpharmacy.com

Erythromycin for Dogs and Cats

By Evan Ware, DVM

Last reviewed: 7/13/2022

Commonly prescribed for: Specific Types of Bacterial Infections

Species: Dogs and Cats

Therapeutic Class: Narrow-spectrum Antibiotic


Basic Information

Erythromycin is a narrow-spectrum antibiotic used by veterinarians to treat very specific types of bacterial infections in dogs, cats, and other animals. It is available only with a prescription from a veterinarian.

Veterinary Medicine Uses for Erythromycin

Erythromycin is effective against certain types of infection, as the medication suppresses the protein synthesis and growth of bacteria cells, which eventually leads to the death of the bacteria. Common uses for Erythromycin include treating pneumonia, tick-borne infections like Lyme Disease, sinus infections, wound infections, skin infections, bone infections, and certain other types of bacterial infections.

Erythromycin is not effective against infections that are caused by fungi, viruses, or parasites.

Potential Side-Effects of Erythromycin

Since Erythromycin kills bacteria, it can cause some animals to experience diarrhea, nausea, and loss of appetite. This is normal and usually results from temporarily disrupting the naturally occurring bacteria within the intestine.

If your pet has trouble breathing, hives or skin rash, or a swollen face, tongue or lips, contact your veterinarian immediately, as these signs point to the possibility of an allergic reaction.

Drug Interactions with Erythromycin

Erythromycin is an appropriate treatment option when prescribed by a veterinarian. However, if your pet is taking other medications, discuss them with your veterinarian to prevent a possible drug-interaction. Erythromycin can interact with such medications as clindamycin, lincomycin, tylosin, azithromycin, chloramphenicol, theophylline, and digoxin.

Conversely, drugs like rifampin and sulfa-class antibiotics will increase the effectiveness of Erythromycin.

Precautions for Using Erythromycin

Erythromycin should never be administered to a pet with a known allergy to the medication. It should also be avoided in pregnant animals.

Erythromycin can be toxic to smaller animals like guinea pigs, rabbits, gerbils, and hamsters, and therefore, should not be given to them. Similarly, this antibiotic should not be prescribed for cattle or adult horses.

Dosage and Administration of Erythromycin

For the drug to work as intended, it is essential to follow the prescription and complete the full course of treatment. If treatment is stopped before all the medication has been administered, the risk of relapse increases.

One of the dosage forms available for Erythromycin is an oral suspension. Wedgewood Pharmacy's oral suspensions and solutions are familiar and convenient dosage forms. Oral suspensions and solutions can be administered directly into the mouth using a dosing syringe or mixed with a small amount of food. They offer a wide range of flavoring options and flexible dosing adjustments.

Many strengths of Erythromycin Oral Suspension are available, ranging from 5 mg/ml to 250 mg/ml.

Other Dosage-Forms Available

Erythromycin also is available in these compounded dosage forms. Different strengths may be available for different dosage forms.
  • Capsule
  • Oral Oil Suspension
  • Oral Paste
  • Oral Powder

Available Flavors

Anchovy; Apple; Apple/Molasses; Bacon; Bacon/Beef; Bacon/Marshmallow; Banana; Banana/Marshmallow; Beef/Chicken; Beef/Marshmallow; Butterscotch; Butterscotch/Marshmallow; Butterscotch/Vanilla; Cherry; Cherry-Vanilla; Chicken & Liver; Chicken, natural; Chicken-Marshmallow; Chicken-Vanilla; Duck; Fish; Fish/Marshmallow; Half Fish; Liver/Marshmallow; Marshmallow/Peanut Butter; Marshmallow/Vanilla Butternut; Molasses-Peanut Butter; Peppermint; Strawberry; Triple-Fish; Tutti Frutti; Tutti Frutti/Marshmallow; Vanilla/Marshmallow; Venison and Venison/Marshmallow.
Looking for Erythromycin?

We can let your veterinarian know that you are interested in our compounded Erythromycin.


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Popular Erythromycin Dosage Forms

Dosage options starting at $0.20 per dose

Erythromycin: Oral Oil Suspension

Erythromycin: Oral Oil Suspension

Oil based oral suspension with a wide variety of flavoring options.

Erythromycin: Capsule

Erythromycin: Capsule

Oral medication available in gelatin or veggie capsule options.

Erythromycin: Anhydrous Oral Suspension

Erythromycin: Anhydrous Oral Suspension

Glycerin-based oral suspension with a wide variety of flavoring options.