Clavamox(®) is a combination medicine containing amoxicillin and clavunate potassium. This special blend of ingredients makes it effective against bacterial infections which would normally be resistant to amoxicillin, though the side effects tend to be harsher than plain amoxicillin.

Human equivalent: Augmentin® which contains amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium is the human equivalent.

Recommended Dosage

 
Note: This medicine is available by prescription only. You will need to see the vet before use for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

Clavamox is available in tablet form at strengths ranging from 62.5 mg to 400 mg. It is also available as a liquid suspension containing 50 mg of amoxicillin and 12.5 mg of clavunate potassium per mL. If you mix the liquid drops with water be sure to keep the solution refrigerated and throw it out after 10 days. Like with all antibiotics it’s important that you do not stop giving the medicine to your dog as soon as their symptoms improve or the infection could return.

According to Pfizer the correct dosage for treating bacterial infections in dogs is 6.25 mg/lb (0.1 mL/lb if you’re using the liquid) given by mouth every 12 hours for a maximum of 30 days.

Clavamox dose for treating dogs

 
The exact amount required could be different depending on which condition is being treated. See the table below for the dosage at which different infections can be treated.
 

To treat…

Dosage

Urinary Tract Infection (UTIs)12.5 mg/kg (~5.7 mg/lb) twice daily for 5 – 7 days
Skin infections12.5 mg/kg (~5.7 mg/lb) twice daily for 5 – 21 days
Bacteremia10 mg/lb twice daily for 14 – 120 days
Deep pyodermas12.5 mg/kg (~5.7 mg/lb) twice or three times a day for 7 days


In most cases your vet will ask you to continue administering the medicine for at least 2 days after the symptoms of infection have gone away. If your dogs symptoms haven’t improved after 72 hours of treatment call the vet for advice on how to proceed.

Should it be given with food?

It’s better to give the medicine with food to lower the chance of vomiting and stomach irritation.
 

Example: For treating most susceptible infections a 20 lb dog could be given one 125 mg tablet every 12 hours for no more than 30 consecutive days.

 

Is It Safe?

 
The adverse effects of Clavamox tend to be harsher than amoxicillin alone, but in most cases pets are not at risk of any complications unless they are hypersensitive to penicillin (the drug is a penicillin antibiotic) or other β-lactam antibiotics such as cephalexin. We recommend that owners avoid giving this drug to a pregnant dog and be extra cautious when treating dogs with kidney or heart disease, or those who are dehydrated.

FDA Status: It is approved by the FDA for veterinary use both in the form of tablets and liquid drops under application numbers 055-099 and 055-101 respectively.

Guidelines For Safe Use

 
You should always visit the vet before giving your dog this medicine for a diagnosis of their symptoms and a treatment plan made to suit their needs. If you haven’t given this medicine to your pet before you should watch them closely for any signs of an allergic reaction which may include difficulties breathing, an elevated heart rate, rashes, hives, vomiting, seizures, swelling and even fainting. If allergy symptoms occur get in contact with your vet immediately as reactions to penicillin antibiotics can be life-threatening.

Because of possible cross-reactivity it’s best to avoid use in dogs who have suffered bad reactions to β-lactam antibiotics in the past.

Refrigeration

The liquid suspension goes “off” quickly when it isn’t kept refrigerated. The usual color of the substance should be white or very light yellow. If it has turned a darker shade of yellow or any other color then it has gone bad and should be thrown out.
 

Uses

 
As an antibiotic, Clavamox is only used to treat bacterial infections. By including the β-lactamase inhibitor clavunate potassium in its blend of ingredients it’s able to kill bacteria which would usually be resistant to amoxicillin. It is not effective in the treatment of infections caused by Enterobacter or Pseudomonas.
 

Possible Side Effects

 
An allergic reaction is one of the main problems you should watch out for. Symptoms of an allergy could include breathing difficulties, rashes, swelling, increased heart rate, fever, seizures and vomiting. If you notice these symptoms seek emergency veterinary care for your pet.

Dogs treated with Clavamox could also experience these adverse effects:
 

  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Weight loss
  • Rapid breathing
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Breathlessness
  • Swelling
  • Superinfection

 
When used for long periods of time or when given in very high doses neurotoxicity is possible, which can result in a loss of co-ordination and confusion.
 

 
Sources

Dr. K. Hartmann
Pfizer Animal Health
Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook (sixth edition)