How is gentamicin given to pets? What are the administration routes?

Unless the eye infection is caused by something else in the body, systemic antibiotics are rarely used or indicated. Ophthalmic antibiotics are much more likely to cure an infection of the eye in a timely manner. Sometimes what looks like an infection isn't actually caused by bacteria. It could also be caused by corneal abrasion or ulceration, allergies, foreign body, autoimmune disorder, etc. I also prefer other types of injectable antibiotics over gentamicin. It is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that can be kidney toxic and has a pretty long list of adverse effects. I only use it in cases that do not respond to safer antibiotics.

Hello. Prescribing an antibiotic is a delicate balance between knowing what a pet has & how they will tolerate it. Gentamicin is a powerful antibiotic, but must be used with caution in dehydrated animals, & it is quite easy for a sick cat to become dehydrated. If your cat is in-hospital, then this is being monitored. If not, this is not my first choice of antibiotics to fight infection in a cat, BUT I also have no idea what your cat may have. If you are concerned, you should definitely discuss this with your vet, or perhaps seek a second opinion from some one else who can actually examine Guddu. Good luck & I hope he is feeling better soon. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Gentamicin is a medication that we use to treat infections by IV as well as topical like in the eye. It may taste real bitter and cause some salivation, but it should not cause any other problems than that, except you need to buy a new bottle now! Best of luck and Thank you for using Pet Coach.

Hello. Yes, it is most likely that the gentamicin has induced the deafness in your dog. Most times this is reversible, but in some cases the deafness is permanent. I would not use any more gentamycin. Most ear infections are due to underlying allergies, so the first thing to do is have a culture done to see if antibiotics are even warranted ( may have to wait at least several days after stopping medications to obtain the culture ). I would also start a low dose with a decreasing dosage of steroids to decrease inflammation in the ears & start an anti-allergy medication such as Apoquel or Cytopoint to see if the ears can be kept at least more comfortable without the use of topical ear medications. Hopefully, some hearing may return, but it certainly will not as long as the gentamycin is being used. Good luck & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Ideally, since gentamicin can affect kidney function, Guddu should be rechecked by your veterinarian. Bloodwork can be submitted to assess kidney function. A urine sample should also be submitted. The symptoms described may be related or they may be coincidental and due to something else.

Hello. Penicillin can be administered either way. If you do give it in the muscle, be sure to pull back on the plunger before injecting. If you see blood, move to another spot. Never inject penicillin into a vein. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hello, it depends on wether the prescription is to be given in the muscle or under the skin. These will vary, however both neck and leg can receive both injections under the skin and in the muscle. However, there several important structures that one must avoid in both areas when administering an injection, I would not recommend injecting in an area that was not instructed by your veterinarian. If Mabel is sore from being injected in the same spot, then discuss with your veterinarian showing you a different position to perform this injection. Hope this helps and best of luck.