My Dog Ate Bactrim What Should I Do?

Reviewed By Kim •  Updated: 05/17/23 •  3 min read
Dog Severe Toxicity Level
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Many pet parents take medications, such as Bactrim, to treat various health issues. And accidents can happen that make the drugs enticing for our dogs. For instance, a pill may fall on the floor and go unnoticed until a dog finds and eat it. It’s also possible that a dog may find a bottle of Bactrim, chew it open, and eat the medication. But what happens if a dog eats Bactrim?

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Has your dog eaten Bactrim? Are you worried that Bactrim will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.

We’ve gathered information about Bactrim and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!

Dog Ate Bactrim

It is strongly recommended to contact a Pet Poison Helpline or your veterinarian.

What is Bactrim?

Bactrim is a prescription antibiotic that’s used to treat bacterial infections. The medication is a combination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. This medicine can also be found under other brand names, including Bactrim DS and Sulfatrim.

This antibiotic is used to treat ear infections, urinary tract infections, bronchitis, traveler’s diarrhea, shigellosis, and certain types of pneumonia.

While this medication is considered safe for humans (when used as directed), what happens if a dog eats Bactrim?

Bactrim & Dogs

Bactrim is sometimes prescribed by veterinarians for use in dogs. However, the FDA has not cleared this medication for use in veterinary medicine. A vet may prescribe Bactrim for off-label use.

The antibiotic is used to treat urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, infected wounds, and other bacterial infections.

If your dog eats a dose of Bactrim that’s too large for his size and weight; the medication can be toxic.

Symptoms of Bactrim Ingestion in Dogs

You may notice these symptoms in your dog if he’s eaten Bactrim:

If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.

Treatment of Bactrim Ingestion in Dogs

The vet may induce vomiting and use activated charcoal to remove the medication from your dog’s system. In addition, the vet may give your dog an IV with fluids. The fluids work to keep your fur baby hydrated and to flush the medication out of his system through excretion.

The vet will also treat other symptoms as they arise. If your canine companion is in serious condition, he may need to be hospitalized until he’s in stable condition.

The prognosis is best for dogs who receive prompt medical treatment after eating Bactrim. In the future, it’s best to keep Bactrim and other medications out of your dog’s reach. You’ll both be happier for it!

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Kim

Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.

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