If you have any reason to suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or one of the other resources listed:
• ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435
• Pet Poison Helpline® 24-hour animal poison control service at (855) 764-7661
Metronidazole
Generic Name: Metronidazole
Brand Name: Flagyl
Metronidazole is an antibiotic used in both human and veterinary medicine to treat a variety of disease states, including chronic diarrhea.
Toxicity often occurs from intentional dosing at levels greater than 30 mg/kg/day. While much of the literature warns of potential toxicity at doses greater than 60 mg/kg/day, there is an increasing incidence of toxicity occurring at lower doses. Beyond dosing, there seems to be a positive correlation of prolonged therapy (3 weeks and longer) and toxicosis.
Signs and symptoms of toxicity: difficulty walking, rapid eye movements, head-tilt, joint knuckling, disorientation, refusal to eat, vomiting, extreme fatigue, stiffness and seizures.
Toxic consumption: The referenced toxic threshold is 60 mg/kg/day (values listed in chart below). As previously mentioned, chronic therapy with lower doses may result in toxicosis.
Please note that these values are total daily consumption.
| X-Small Yorkie, Chihuahua |
Small Pug, Boston Terrier, Poodle |
Medium Beagle, Scottish Terrier |
Large Boxer, Cocker Spaniel |
X-Large Labrador & Golden Retrievers, German Shepherd |
XX-Large Great Dane, St. Bernard |
| 1 – 10 lbs. (0.45 – 4.6 kg) |
11 – 25 lbs. (5 – 11.4 kg) |
26 – 40 lbs. (11.8 – 18.2 kg) |
41 – 70 lbs. (18.6 – 31.8 kg) |
71 – 90 lbs. (32.3 – 40.9 kg) |
91 – 110 lbs. (41.4 – 50 kg) |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| > 27 mg | > 300 mg | > 708 mg | > 1116 mg | > 1938 mg | > 2484 mg |
References:
– Evans J, Levesque D, Knowles K, et al. Diazepam as a treatment for metronidazole toxicosis in dogs: A retrospective case study of 21 cases. J Vet Intern Med 2003;17:304-10.
– Metronidazole. In: Plumb’s Veterinary Drugs. Tulsa (OK): Educational Concepts, L.L.C. [updated 8/14; accessed 8/14/15]. https://www.plumbsveterinarydrugs.com/#!/monograph/2566
– Papich MG. Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs: Small and Large Animal. 3rd ed. St. Louis, MS: Elsevier Saunders; 2011.
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