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Amikacin in Veterinary Medicine - Facts and Information

Amikacin

Updated on September 10, 2024

Aminoglycoside injectable antibiotic used to treat serious infections in dogs, cats, and other animals.

Amikacin

Summary

Used For: Urogenital infections, respiratory infections, skin infections, soft tissue infections, and others

Brands: Amiglyde-V, Amikacin C, Amikacin K-9, Amiject D

Species: Dogs, cats, horses, cattle, birds, small mammals and reptiles

Drug type: Antibiotic

Prescription required: Yes

Pregnancy and lactation: Not safe for use in pregnant and lactating animals.

Side effects: May see vomiting, kidney damage, hearing loss, or vestibular (balance) disorders.

General description

Amikacin is an injectable aminoglycoside antibacterial used to treat aerobic gram-negative bacterial infections not responsive to more commonly used antibiotics. It is typically used in veterinary medicine to treat serious respiratory, urogenital, skin, and soft tissue infections.

Uses

Bacterial infections including urinary tract infections, respiratory tract infections, skin infections, soft tissue infections, and uterine infections.

How it works

Amikacin is a bactericidal antibiotic that stops bacterial growth by inhibiting protein synthesis in susceptible bacteria.

Dosage

**Dogs**: 5 – 30 milligrams per kilogram of body weight intramuscularly, intravenously, or subcutaneously every 8 - 24 hours **Cats**: 10 – 15 milligrams per kilogram of body weight intramuscularly, intravenously, or subcutaneously every 8 - 24 hours **Horses**: 6 – 25 milligrams per kilogram of body weight intramuscularly or intravenously every 8 - 24 hours **Cattle**: 12 milligrams per kilogram of body weight intramuscularly every 12 hours **Rodents/Small Mammals**: 2.5 – 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight intramuscularly or subcutaneously every 8 - 24 hours **Birds**: 5 – 20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight intramuscularly every 8 - 24 hours. **Reptiles**: 2.5 – 5 milligrams per kilogram intramuscularly every 24 – 72 hours.

Forms

50 milligrams per milliliter and 250 milligrams per milliliter amikacin solution for injection.

Storage information & handling

Store at room temperature.

What results can I expect?

Assuming that the infection being treated is susceptible to amikacin, resolution of the infection should occur during the treatment period.

Missed Dosage

Give the dose as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose, and continue with the regular schedule. Never give two doses at once.

Overdose / acute toxicity

Early signs of toxicity include loss of balance and vomiting. May see symptoms of kidney disease including increase or decrease in drinking, lack of appetite, vomiting, depression, coma, and death.

Side effects

May include: * Kidney damage * Hearing loss * Vestibular (balance) disorders * Vomiting * Diarrhea * Facial swelling * Allergic reactions * Pain at the injection site * Blood disorders * Liver disorders

Contraindications

Do not use in pregnant or lactating animals or in pets with: * Aminoglycoside sensitivity * Pre -existing kidney disease * Heartworm microfilaria (dogs) * Fever or dehydration * Myasthenia gravis or other neuromuscular disorders

Drug interactions

Amikacin should be used cautiously with other drugs that may cause hearing loss, vestibular disease, or kidney disease. These include: * Amphotericin B * Other aminoglycosides * Acyclovir * Bacitracin * Cephalosporins * Cisplatin * Diuretics * Methoxyflurane * Polymyxin B * Vancomycin General anesthesia and neuromuscular blocking agents may also interact with amikacin.

Precaution

Young and old pets are at increased risk of side effects. Cats are very sensitive to the vestibular effects of aminoglycosides. Do not use in animals who require their hearing to perform their work due to the risk of permanent hearing loss or vestibular impairment. A culture and sensitivity test should be performed to verify the need for amikacin due to the seriousness of potential side effects.

Laboratory considerations

Baseline bloodwork and urinalysis (to specifically identify casts) should be obtained prior to using this medication and should be repeated during treatment to monitor kidney function.

Sources

*Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook* *VIN Veterinary Drug Handbook*

Related Questions

Hi! My cat was recently diagnosed with diabetes. He’s taking insulin and taking antibiotics for a Uti. It’s been 4 weeks and he wobles when he’s walking. He can’t jump up on the bed like he used to.He’s blood sugar is 250 it’s better than it used to. I don’t understand why he’s so wobbly.

Cats can develop what's called diabetic neuropathy, where their hindlegs become progressively weak. The best thing to do is try to get his diabetes under control as quickly as possible. Here is a link describing the conditon: http://www.diabeticcatcare.com/DCCCOK/Neuropathy.htm

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Is there a reason you want to stop the prednisone? I would recommend not stopping it and if you feel it is better to stop the prednisone then I would recommend weaning off of the prednisone. I would discuss how to wean the prednisone with your veterinarian. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.

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In severe outbreaks, 2 weeks between different drugs is ok. You will also need to use a household flea treatment in order to break the cycle, only 5% of the flea population are adults and actually present on pets, tge remaining 95% are eggs/large and will continue to hatch, develop and reinvest your pets. All in contact animals should be treated together and also given a tapeworm treatment because tapeworms are also transmitted by fleas

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My 8yo Golden had a falsepregnancy w milk. Cabergoline has resolved it now. I hear conflicting opinions about spaying. She has never mated. Some say not spaying would cause pseudopregnancy recurrence+dangerous conditions like Mammary T. But UCDavis studies say spaying increases other aggressive cancer risks among GoldenRs. Also, vet thinks that her anemia that keeps coming back after prednisolone trtmnts *might* be due to Ovary cysts, suggests spaying. What's the right approach for her health?

Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Lav. I've heard many owners quote the UC Davis study, and there are a number of things wrong with the study. Check out this article on it: https://humanepro.org/magazine/articles/deconstructing-spayneuter-debate Not spaying her can cause a pseudopregnancy reoccurrence, but it doesn't increase her risk of mammary tumors. That's already going to be 25% because she's had more than two heats. Keep in mind, 50% of mammary tumors in dogs are malignant. She is eight years old, so she is already at a higher risk of developing cancer simply because she is an older dog. She is also at risk of a pyometra, which is an infection of the uterus that is fatal without treatment. The treatment for a pyometra is spaying the dog, which is an emergency during a pyometra and can cost many thousands of dollars. In all honesty, it's best to spay her. It will keep her from developing a pyometra as well as a pseudopregnancy, and it will keep her from getting pregnant if she accidentally mates. Dogs over the age of six should never have puppies. In my opinion, it's best for her to health to get spayed asap. I hope this helps!

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My cat was prescribed antibiotics for diarrhea and today was his second day of taking them. He’s required to take 0.5 mL of the antibiotic and another one after 12 hours (twice a day). Today, he lost his appetite (only ate a few treats) and threw up clear liquid twice and clear yellow liquid 3 times. He is also lethargic.

Hello, thank you for using Boop by Petco. I'm sorry to hear that Leo is having this problem. Many antibiotics cause gastrointestinal issues in cats so you will need to call your vet and let them know what is going on. Most likely they will have you stop one or both of the antibiotics and prescribe something different. I would also suggest that you put him on a pre/probiotic while he is taking antibiotics and then continue for at least one week after the antibiotics have been stopped. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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I was advised by my daughter's dog trainer to contact a vet about my Yorkie's anxiety. She is 7 yo and 12 lbs. She started off scared of some fireworks in the neighborhood. Now it has progressed to even heavy rain. She keeps us up during storms because s she's so afraid and we can't console her. The trainer said a vet could try her on some trazadone. How can I get help with this?

Thank you for contacting Boop by Petco with your question about Ellie. I'm sorry she's having trouble with anxiety! Yes medications can help with anxiety, but she would need to see a vet in person to get the medication. We cannot provide a prescription for it from the site without seeing her in person; it's illegal, and against the user terms of the site. I recommend contacting her vet to make her an appointment to discuss the use of medication. A thundershirt may also help in conjunction with medication. You can buy them online, I also recommend looking at one of those. A tip to keep in mind when she is afraid is not to console her. It's natural to want to do that, but it actually reinforces the behavior. By consoling her, you are telling her it's ok to act this way. I hope this helps!

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Disclaimer

The information contained on this page is for educational purposes only. This medication should only be given under the advice of a veterinarian who has examined your pet under the laws applicable to your state of residence.