Why can't my cat lie down after taking Doxycycline medication?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I’m so sorry to hear about Misty. If the medication had caused the vomiting, I would have expected it to cause vomiting days ago when you started it. That leads me to believe it is less likely related to the medication and more likely related to something else. That being said, double check that you are giving the correct amount and do shake the bottle well each time you give it. Just like in people, there are dozens of reasons vomiting occurs including: infection, dietary indiscretion (eating that piece of plant or human food, or dead mouse), GI foreign body (eating that hair band which is now causing problems), toxin, non specific nausea, diet change or new treat, and the list goes on. If it was just the three times in a row, I would just withhold food and water for 2 hours, then reinteoduce water. If she holds that down well, offer a small bit of food 8-12 hours after the last episode of vomiting. Don’t repeat tonight’s dose of medication. I am concerned in the back of my mind that something else is going on since her appetite had started decreasing. Is it related to the disease we are treating with the doxycycline or some other problem? Certainly if the vomiting continues or she is not ready to eat in the next 24 hours, or you see any new signs, please head to your vet or an emergency vet for re-valuation. Best wishes to you and Misty!

Hi there. Any antibiotic will cause some transient changes in gut flora. In some patients, this may cause some symptoms of GI upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. If you're concerned, you can certainly give Bailey a probiotic such as Forti-Flora in his food each day while he's taking the doxycycline - this won't hurt anything, and might help to keep his intestinal bacteria from being disrupted as much.

No don’t crush the pills. It is very bitter. Shoving it down his throat and then chasing it with water to ensure swallowing is the best option at this point. You should really speak to your vet about having it compounded into a liquid - they can make it chicken or tuna flavor to make it more palatable. They can actually make it it many different forms. Here’s an example. I also believe they will ship it directly to you. ( https://www.wedgewoodpetrx.com/items/doxycycline-oral-suspension.html ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach. I'm sorry that Haus is having this issue. I would not be concerned about the water consumption increase. I have not heard of anyone saying that has happened with a dog on doxycycline but every animal is an individual and can affect them differently. Either way, the extra water will not harm him. If the diarrhea persists for more than 36 hours then I think a vet visit would be warranted as that can be a side effect of the medication. Here is a link to an article about Doxycycline use in pets: ( https://www.petplace.com/article/drug-library/drug-library/library/doxycycline-vibramycin-for-dogs-and-cats/ ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

I would recommend trying the antibiotic one more time. Make sure Chloe has a full stomach prior to giving it. If she vomits again, I would recommend calling your veterinarian tomorrow and discussing what the next steps are. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Both doxycycline and prednisone can cause vomiting and diarrhea. I am not sure of the dose that your dog is on but maybe your vet could adjust the dose so he has less gastrointestinal problems. Feeding the medication with a meal can sometimes help with the gastrointestinal side effects so make sure to give with food. Your vet could also prescribe an anti-vomiting medication, probiotic, and GI protectant which may help, too. At this point, If he is just going to vomit the medication than it doesn't make sense to give it. You should wait and see if your vet can prescribe additional medications to help with the vomiting and diarrhea. If the vomiting and diarrhea has stopped, you could try to give one medication at a time with food and see how he does.

Doxycycline should be taken whole or immediately before food to ensure it is swallowed into the stomach, it should then be followed by a drink to ensure it is washed down. It can cause painful ulcers in the upper GI tract if it lodges here and is not taken directly to the stomach