Cephalexin Prescription Dog Antibiotics | Petco

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Medications
Cephalexin vs. Simplicef: Which antibiotic is right for my pet?
Cephalexin and Simplicef are both cephalosporins, so they are the same group of antibiotics, but cephalexin is the generic name for a 1st generation cephalosporin and Simplicef is a trade name for Cefpodoxime which is a 3rd generation cephalosporin (so it is a newer drug) and works better in some circumstances. Here is more information on both drugs. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=538 https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2038 I hope that was helpful! Thanks for using PetCoach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Medications
My senior dog smells bad. Can she take Cephalexin with her meds?
While none of the medications that Katie is taking will interact with cephalexin, this antibiotic is not generally very effective for treating urinary tract infections. Since her UTI in January was (I assume) resistant to some antibiotics, there is a concern that a new potential infection may be as well. Giving unnecessary or ineffective antibiotics only serves to create bacterial resistance to some antibiotics. Katie should go to her vet for a urinalysis and urine culture so that the most appropriate antibiotic can be chosen for the bacteria present. I hope that she's on the mend soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Vet Q & A
My 16lb dog accidentally ate a 500mg cephalexin pill. Is she okay?
Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach to address your concern. At the high end of the dose of 60mg/kg for systemic infections, it would be approximately 436mg every 8 hours for that dose for a 16lb dog. A 500mg capsule will not likely cause any life threatening problems. You may see vomiting and diarrhea but this should resolve on its own. If you start to see neurological symptoms such as seizures or a wobbly gait, I would have a veterinarian examine KC. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be happy to help further.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellness
Is twice-daily Cephalexin for dog skin issues safe long-term?
Cephalexin should always be given every 12 hrs due to the half-life of the medication, and sometimes even every 6-8 hrs depending on the severity of the infection. There can be a build up of resistance to frequent use of antibiotics, so I would try to have a more in depth conversation with your vet about long term treatment options that can keep Bruno's skin barrier at optimal levels, such as daily fish oils, prescription diets, and medicated shampoo's. Bruno getting Cephalexin at the frequency that he has been getting it should no affect his liver in a negative way or reduce his lifespan, the main concern here is resistance to the antibiotics over time. Best of luck with your furry friend Bruno moving forward and managing his apparent skin allergies and skin infections. Take care!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellness
My dog is on Cephalexin. Is this dose safe for renal failure?
It is a high dose (22 mg/kg is average although there is a range because of capsule sizes) and in some cases we would dose reduce this drug with kidney failure (but if your pet has early changes this may not be necessary, is case dependent). I would call your vet to check the dose, he or she may have a reason for this high dose. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!
Updated on September 24th, 2025