With so many types of bacterial infections, and a variety of antibiotics to combat them, it can be a challenge to determine the best treatment for affected horses. Understanding the antibiotics available can help veterinarians and horse owners make a confident treatment choice. A popular and effective antibiotic, metronidazole for horses, can be used for a number of conditions.
Metronidazole for horses is an antibiotic used to treat both bacterial and protozoal infections, particularly those caused by anaerobic bacteria—organisms that thrive in low-oxygen environments. It works by disrupting the DNA of harmful bacteria, preventing them from multiplying and spreading. It is often prescribed in combination with other antibiotics to provide comprehensive coverage against a broad spectrum of anaerobic bacteria.
A wide range of infections are caused by strains of anaerobic bacteria. In these cases, metronidazole for horses may be an appropriate part of a horse’s treatment plan.
Metronidazole is often prescribed for gastrointestinal infections in horses. This includes conditions such as:
Internal abscesses can form in a horse’s organs, such as the liver or lungs, when bacterial infections go untreated. These abscesses are often caused by anaerobic bacteria. Metronidazole can be effective at targeting these bacteria and preventing the infection from spreading and worsening. Metronidazole can also be a useful treatment for perianal abscesses. These are localized infections near a horse’s anus caused by anaerobic bacteria that can be extremely painful.
Metronidazole for horses can be a key treatment option for oral infections, such as:
Metronidazole is sometimes used as part of a treatment regimen for infections from protozoa, single-celled parasitic organisms that can cause diseases. One example is Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM), which affects a horse’s nervous system—often leading to coordination problems and muscle weakness. When used in combination with other medications, metronidazole for horses can help manage this serious condition.
For wound infections—particularly deep or necrotic wounds—metronidazole for hoses is effective in targeting the anaerobic bacteria that cause tissue death and infection. Horses with deep wounds are especially at risk of developing serious infections with severe symptoms.
After surgeries, such as abdominal procedures, horses can develop infections from bacterial contamination that can pose a serious risk. Metronidazole for hoses is one of the antibiotics that can be prescribed before, during, or after surgery to prevent or treat bacterial infections—ultimately leading to a smoother post-surgery recovery.
Metronidazole for horses can also be used to treat respiratory infections. This includes pleuropneumonia, an infection of a horse’s lungs and the area surrounding them, called the pleural space. In cases where anaerobic bacteria are involved, metronidazole can effectively target the source of the infection, eventually restoring a horse’s respiratory health.
Most horses tolerate metronidazole well. In rare cases, some horses may experience side effects, such as:
Neurologic symptoms are uncommon but can happen if metronidazole is prescribed at high doses or for extended periods of time. Horse owners and veterinarians should closely monitor the horse throughout the course of treatment to detect and manage any potential side effects.
In some cases, horses may be hesitant to take metronidazole. This is because the antibiotic can have a bitter taste—even when the oral powder form is mixed with feed. Aside from the oral powder, Mixlab can compound an oral suspension that can be custom-flavored to make it more appealing for specific horses. A new flavor can significantly help with administration.
Typically, the oral dose for adult horses is 15 mg/kg every 8 hours, though dosing and timing may vary depending on the specific case. For foals, the dosage is usually reduced to 10 mg/kg every 12 hours. If a horse does not tolerate the oral form well, metronidazole is also available in an injectable form. Veterinarians can provide proper dosing and administration to ensure the most effective treatment for specific horses and infections. If you’re looking for metronidazole for horses in an oral suspension or oral powder, Mixlab has you covered!
There are a variety of antibiotics available for horse infections. The right antibiotic, or combination of antibiotics, will depend on a horse’s infection and unique needs. Veterinarians can provide additional insights about these antibiotics and their possible side effects.
This is a combination antibiotic often used for intrauterine infusion in mares to treat endometritis, a bacterial infection of the uterine lining. Tticarcillin is a potent penicillin-derived antibiotic, and clavulanate enhances its effectiveness.
This is an aminoglycoside used to treat serious bacterial infections. Often administered through intravenous injection, it can be very effective against some gram-negative bacteria. Specifically, it can be used to treat uterine infections in mares and gram-negative septic arthritis in foals.
Particularly effective for infections in the respiratory and urinary tracts, this is a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic that inhibits bacterial DNA replication. It can be effective against a wide variety of mostly gram-negative and some gram-positive bacteria.
A well-known, widely used antibiotic, penicillin is a commercially-available injectable for horses. It is effective against a variety of gram-positive bacterial infections, including streptococcal infections. It is often used for treating respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and clostridial infections like tetanus. Due to its broad availability and effectiveness, penicillin remains a go-to antibiotic in equine medicine, though it may still be combined with other medications for treatment.
This is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that targets a range of gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, plus some protozoa. It is particularly useful in treating respiratory infections and tick-borne diseases, such as ehrlichiosis and Lyme disease in horses. Doxycycline’s wide range of action makes it an important tool for managing infections that involve both bacterial and parasitic components.
Metronidazole is unique for its ability to specifically target anaerobic bacteria and protozoa. As mentioned earlier, this makes it an effective choice for treating deep tissue infections, such as abscesses, and gastrointestinal conditions, such as colitis. Its ability to disrupt the DNA of harmful bacteria helps control infections in low-oxygen environments.
If you’ve got a prescription or a client that needs metronidazole, we’ll get it filled—fast. We understand how important it is to administer medication quickly during an infection. With Mixlab, you get free two-day delivery of your medication. As an equine compounding pharmacy, we can also custom-flavor an oral suspension for easier administration of metronidazole for horses.
Through Mixlab, you can get the following popular forms, strengths and quantities for horses:
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Contact us and we’d be happy to help, or place your order for one of the above options today.