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Which is a stronger antibiotic: Clavamox or Clindamycin?

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  • Which is a stronger antibiotic: Clavamox or Clindamycin?

    Does anyone know which is a stronger antibiotic, Clavamox or Clindamycin? Gunner is on Clavamox right now, but I have been doing a lot of research and I have seen Clindamycin pop up more in bone infection articles. If the radiology report comes back as bone infection I want to ensure I am informed and can ensure Gunner is on the best treatment to cure his illness. Is one better than the other?

  • #2
    It isn't the strength that matters. Most antibiotics work to help fight certain infections, so where clava-mox, which is, Amoxicillin and Clavulanate (I always misspell that word, and I call myself a pharmacy tech! sheesh) can be used to treat one type of infection, Clindamycin will be used to treat a different one. In humans, we use more Clava-mox (a.k.a. Augmentin in humans) then clindamycin. Amoxicillin is kind of a broad spectrum antibiotic, it can help treat numerous types of infections.
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    The Cats:
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    • #3
      That makes perfect sense. So which one then does a better job a penetrating the bone??

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      • #4
        I would stick with what the vet prescribed, make sure you are giving it at the correct times, usually 12 hours apart, so pick a time and stick with it, I usually do 8am and 8pm.
        If when you are done giving them, you don't see results, don't panic, most antibiotics stay in the system for up to 10 days after the end of the course. But if you aren't seeing results by the end, you may want to talk to the vet about a different medication. and I also advise you get them filled at human pharmacy, much cheaper!
        sigpic
        My Crew
        The Danes:
        Ximmy - DOB 11/23/09, Sprocket - Gotcha Day - 8/14/11
        The Cats:
        Kit-ten Rescued 1999 - calico; Banshee Rescued 2007 - Maine Coon Mix; OnzaPous and ReignaPous DOB - 2/17/09 - Maine Coon's
        At the bridge: Thumper, Ditto & Chaos
        ~Dogs and cats instinctively know the exact moment their owners will wake up. Then they wake them 10 minutes sooner.~

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        • #5
          Thank you. We are on our 3rd round of Clavamox which is why I am asking. The soft tissue has gotten better on it, but the bone has gotten worse per the x-rays yesterday. Thanks for your advice on filling it at a regular pharmacy. I didn't know you could do that, but at $80 a week for his meds so far, anything will help

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          • #6
            Just popping by to say "Gunner....hope you have a good day and get better sweetie."
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            • #7
              If you go back and look at what I posted on your other thread about HOD, I recommended asking for Clindamycin. It has a good spectrum against anaerobic bacteria and is used commonly in bone infections. You can use the Clavamox on top of this and I commonly use the two together or substitute the Clavamox for Baytril since it's been shown in studies to have synergistic effects with Clindamycin. HTH
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              Crystal
              Owned by:
              Dexter 8 year old GD, CGC
              CH xxx's Top Gear AKA Studebaker (Baker) 4 years
              Bagel 19 yr old Maine Coon
              Lox 11 yr old Russian Blue mix

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              • #8
                Originally posted by DextersMomma View Post
                If you go back and look at what I posted on your other thread about HOD, I recommended asking for Clindamycin. It has a good spectrum against anaerobic bacteria and is used commonly in bone infections. You can use the Clavamox on top of this and I commonly use the two together or substitute the Clavamox for Baytril since it's been shown in studies to have synergistic effects with Clindamycin. HTH
                Thank you. How long do you usually recommend they stay on it for. I just want to be fully informed as the feeling I am getting from my vet is I am going to have to press for a more robust treatment rather than the wait and see course. I had asked about switching antibiotics but the vet said she wanted to wait it out... UGHH this is so frustrating.

                I really appreciate everyones help!!

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                • #9
                  you could possibly expect to have him on antibiotics for months. I do want you to be aware that it could be fungal or viral osteomyelitis as well as bacterial if they think it's infection based. If the report comes back as osteomyelitis, I would see a specialist, they will be able to treat it more effectively if you are not sure about your regular vet's treatment plan. Osteomyelitis can be fatal as well so it's not something to take lightly.
                  sigpic
                  Crystal
                  Owned by:
                  Dexter 8 year old GD, CGC
                  CH xxx's Top Gear AKA Studebaker (Baker) 4 years
                  Bagel 19 yr old Maine Coon
                  Lox 11 yr old Russian Blue mix

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by DextersMomma View Post
                    you could possibly expect to have him on antibiotics for months. I do want you to be aware that it could be fungal or viral osteomyelitis as well as bacterial if they think it's infection based. If the report comes back as osteomyelitis, I would see a specialist, they will be able to treat it more effectively if you are not sure about your regular vet's treatment plan. Osteomyelitis can be fatal as well so it's not something to take lightly.
                    Is the only way to confirm fungal or viral osteomyelitis through a joint tap or can it be done through blood work? Are there certain tests I should request?

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                    • #11
                      if it's true osteomyelitis either a joint tap or bone biopsy will be necessary. Bone biopsy may be best but I would let a specialist do these things since they will have more experience.

                      The biopsy will allow for culture of fungal or bacterial. And small slices of bone can be visualized under the microscope to see if there are bacterial or fungal organisms.
                      sigpic
                      Crystal
                      Owned by:
                      Dexter 8 year old GD, CGC
                      CH xxx's Top Gear AKA Studebaker (Baker) 4 years
                      Bagel 19 yr old Maine Coon
                      Lox 11 yr old Russian Blue mix

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                      • #12
                        wanted to add, if he's systemically ill, they can do a blood culture. It's might be hard to diagnose this though, since he's been on Clavamox already, it could prohibit a full diagnosis if bacterial.
                        sigpic
                        Crystal
                        Owned by:
                        Dexter 8 year old GD, CGC
                        CH xxx's Top Gear AKA Studebaker (Baker) 4 years
                        Bagel 19 yr old Maine Coon
                        Lox 11 yr old Russian Blue mix

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Thank you. I really appreciate all the information. It helps me be an informed mommy for Gunner. At this point I am really hoping the radiologist comes back and just says it's HOD. I think with everything I have discovered that would be the better of the two evils.

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                          • #14
                            How is Gunner doing? Did you end up switching meds? We had our 5 month old boy on Baytril and Clindamycin for 6 weeks but his infection is back. Thanks!

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by rjl View Post
                              How is Gunner doing? Did you end up switching meds? We had our 5 month old boy on Baytril and Clindamycin for 6 weeks but his infection is back. Thanks!
                              Gunner is doing great. We ended up not switching meds but he was on the Clavamox for over 2 1/2 months before we were 100% sure the infection was gone. Hang in there, these type of things just seem to take a long time to heal and go away for good. Make sure you are giving probiotics though as antibiotics for that long does a number on their internal systems.

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