Accepted Answer

<p>The published dose is 50 mg/kg which puts the dose your dog is taking at the recommended dosing, and in severe infections it can be given at this dose every 6 hours. Recommendations are to avoid in dogs with existing severe liver failure. Side effects include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and depression. With long term therapy there is a risk of bone marrow suppression of blood cell production, which is reversable when the drug is discontinued. People are much more sensitive to the bone marrow suppression effect of this drug, so wash your hands after handling the product. </p><p>It is difficult in these cases where the dog already has a poor appetite to know whether it is caused by the drug or the disease. Most, if not all antibiotics can cause poor appetite, vomiting and diarrhea so switching won't necessarily avoid this side effect. In general, we will give a drug at least 5 days before considering a switch to something different. </p><p>Here is a link for more reading on this drug:</p><p>http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/chloramphenicol-chloromycetin/page1.aspx</p>

Expert:	Dr. Brian
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	8/2/2009

Dog Veterinarian

30 years in private practice, 2008 WA State Vet of the Year