Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How to treat dogs exposed to anthrax with doxycycline
By Langston, Cory·Published in The AAPS journal·2005·College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Postexposure management and treatment of anthrax in dogs--executive councils of the American Academy of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics and the American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog exposed to anthrax bacteria can develop serious symptoms, including severe swelling in the head and neck, which can lead to shock and death. Fortunately, dogs are generally at low risk for this disease, but for those at higher risk, like search and rescue dogs, a preventive treatment with doxycycline (an antibiotic) is recommended. This treatment involves giving the dog a dose of 5 mg per kilogram of body weight once a day for 45 to 60 days. It's important for pet owners to be aware of these risks and treatments if their dog has been exposed.
People also search for: dog anthrax symptoms · doxycycline for dogs · anthrax exposure treatment in dogs
Abstract
Dogs are generally at low risk of developing disease following exposure to anthrax. When disease does occur, it appears associated with oral exposure to the bacteria leading to massive swelling of the head, neck, and mediastinal regions. Death is due to toxemia and shock. For animals at high risk, such as search and rescue dogs with a known exposure, doxycycline at 5 mg/kg orally once daily for 45 to 60 days is suggested as a prophylactic treatment. Additional information on the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of the disease in dogs is presented.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16353908/