Weaning off of antibiotics.

[Laraine]

Hi, I haven't been on here for a while, you all helped me so much, when it was the old web site, with Harry my German Shepherd, who is doing really well, fingers crossed. My query is he has been on Oxytetraclycline (4 x 250 mg tablets a day) for some time and I would like to wean him off of them and try slippery elm if necessary. He has been having 2 x 250 mg tablets for a couple of months now and I didn't know whether to just stop them or cut them down to 1 a day before stopping them altogether, what do you all think please, many thanks.

[Olesia711]

Hmmmmmmmmm....... i am honestly do not know about withdrawing from Oxytetracycline -if this is advisable or not.......we are just familiar and have observed that withdrawing from Tylan often works better in the end then stopping completely at the end of the dosing regimen.

My suggestion is to either call your vet... or call a pharmacist and ask them as they know how drugs work

If you don't mind, can you get back to us and let us know what is recommended.... now i am curious and would like to know

[Laraine]

Thank you Olesia for your reply. Harry has been on oxytetracyline for a year as Tylan hasn't been an option from our vet and I get the feeling that it is easier for them to just keep prescribing them, I will have to speak to them again about it and, of course, I will let you know what happens. I just didn't know whether slippery elm would be better, thank you again.

[Olesia711]

Oh,... so you don't really know if Harry even needs to continue to be on the Oxy?????
.... My understanding has always been that with all these antibiotics to treat SID is to first try to give the antibiotics enough time to get the SID under good control.... but ... once the antibiotic regimen is completed.... cross paws and fingers that you are then done with the antibiotics... at least for a time (cuz as we all know, SID can have flare-ups and we are back to treating).

Some dogs can't ever get off of the anti's and then have to be maintained on a low dose forever.... but other dogs can and do get off the anti's.... so this should at least be tried to achieve.............

When talking with your vet, you might want to ask him/her then when they explain to you how to stop the Oxy.... can you implement a pre+probiotic regimen.... or if you want..... (no permission needed for a prebiotic) just try giving a pinch of slippery elm to see if that is enough to keep the gut in check

Again, please let us know what they say about stopping the Oxy............

[Patsy]

I am amazed you’ve been on them for year. My vet wasn’t particularly happy about having to use them for a month, as epi protocol advises. Oxy and metro both can have side effects. Also all the natural good bacteria are wiped out.
I would phone the vet to ask why they are doing this, and could they please double check their source of information. I know it’s in a big reference book they have, i once had to get oxytetracycline for my epi dog when I was staying elsewhere, and they had to email my vet for the records, and confirm from their book that I was correct in requesting a months meds. Normally it’s given only for two weeks. Then you stop taking them all at once.
Then ask them about re introducing a normal balance of gut health.
You are right to question the treatment regime. Vets usually have no experience of epi. We are rare in the UK. And lucky to be diagnosed, many aren’t.
Good for you !

[Jean]

hi

this is from DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

SUMMARY OF PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

1. NAME OF VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Oxycare Tablets 250mg

2. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE COMPOSITION

Each tablet contains:

Active substance(s) :
Oxytetracyline dihydrate

Excipient(s) :
Quinoline Yellow (E104)
Riboflavin (E101)
Sunset Yellow (E110)
Ferric Oxide yellow (E172)

For the full list of excipients, see section 6.1



250mg


0.572mg
0.135mg
0.008mg
0.006mg
3. PHARMACEUTICAL FORM

Film coated tablet

Yellow, round, convex tablets with a cross-snap-tab on one side.

4. CLINICAL PARTICULARS

4.1 Target species

Dogs

4.2 Indications for use, specifying the target species

For the treatment of dogs with bacterial infections sensitive to tetracycline
therapy only. Soft tissue infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus or
Streptococcus spp. have been shown to be highly sensitive. Respiratory
infections caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica are also commonly sensitive.

4.3 Contraindications

Contraindicated for use in animals with hypersensitivity to any tetracycline.

4.4 Special warnings for each target species

Not applicable.

4.5 Special precautions for use

i. Special precautions for use in animals

Oxytetracycline is deposited in growing teeth and bones and may cause yellow discolouration. It also crosses the placenta. For this reason it is not recommended in late pregnancy or in young animals. Caution must be taken in treating animals with renal or hepatic dysfunction; in such cases it may be necessary to reduce dosage levels.

ii. Special precautions for the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals

If you know you are hypersensitive (allergic) to oxytetracycline, do not handle the product.
In the event of accidental ingestion, flush mouth with plenty of water and seek medical advice.
In the event of eye contact, flush thoroughly with clean, running water. If irritation persists seek medical attention.
Wash hands after use.

iii.
Other precautions

None

4.6 Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)

Prolonged use of antibiotics of all types may promote the overgrowth of
non-susceptible organisms to that antibiotic. Where it occurs therapy should be discontinued and appropriate control of the organisms substituted.

4.7 Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Oxytetracycline crosses the placenta. The product should not be used in late pregnancy.

4.8 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

The product must not be given concurrently with milk or antacids.

4.9 Amount(s) to be administered and administration route

For oral administration
An initial dose of 50mg/kg bodyweight should be given, followed by subsequent doses of 25mg/kg every 12 hours for 5 days. To be taken by mouth at least one hour before or two hours after feeding.


4.10 Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary

Gastric lavage may be beneficial in the first hours after ingestion and milk will reduce absorption. Most common signs of overdose would be vomiting, anorexia and/or diarrhoea, in which case fluid and electrolytes should be administered.

4.11 Withdrawal period(s)

5. PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Oxytetracycline

ATC Vet Code: QJ01AA06

5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties

Antibiotic of the tetracycline group, with a broad spectrum of activity against Mycoplasma, Chlamydia and Rickettsia and a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. (Little activity against E. coli, Salmonella, Proteus and Pseudomonads.) Tetracyclines are bacteriostatic; bacterial sensitivity testing is advisable to preclude resistance in the target infecting bacteria.

6. PHARMACEUTICAL PARTICULARS

6.1 List of excipients
Glucose Monohydrate
Povidone
Liquid Paraffin
Sodium Starch Glycollate Type A
Maize Starch
Stearic Acid
Magnesium Stearate
IMS 74 OP

Coating
Purified Water
Hypromellose (HPMC) 6
Talc
Titanium dioxide
Hydroxypropylcellulose
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3350
Quinoline Yellow (E104)
Riboflavin (E101)
Sunset Yellow (E110)
Ferric oxide yellow (E172)




6.2 Incompatibilities

Aluminium, magnesium and calcium interfere with absorption of oxytetracycline; it must not be given concurrently with milk or antacids.

6.3 Shelf life

Shelf-life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 years.

6.4 Special precautions for storage

Do not store above 25C.
Protect from light.
Return any ¼ tablet to the pot and use within 48 hours

6.5 Nature and composition of immediate packaging

A white, polypropylene tub with a low density polyethylene packing with a white, low density polyethylene cap (push fit), containing 1000 tablets.

6.6 Special precautions for the disposal of unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from the use of such products, if appropriate

Any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived from such veterinary medicinal products should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.


7. MARKETING AUTHORISATION HOLDER

Animalcare Ltd
10 Great North Way
York Business Park
Nether Poppleton
York
YO26 6RB

8. MARKETING AUTHORISATION NUMBER

Vm 10347 / 4003

9. DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

22 June 1992


10. DATE OF REVISION OF THE TEXT

September 2016




Approved: 01 September 2016

as you can see nothing,

however these are the people who are licensed to manufature, so give them a ring, they are better placed to answer hopefully, but keep your vet in tthe loop

http://www.animalcare.co.uk/customer-support

Jean

[Laraine]

Thank you for your replies, it has been really helpful. I will speak to the vet on our next visit, just trying to get prepared and thank you Jean for the information, I will contact the customer services and see what they say too. I will let you know what the vet recommends too for weaning off of antibiotics. Thank you again.

[Madelon]

Just wanted to pop in and say Hi and welcome back to the new forum LOL. I too am surprised the vet has had your pup on Oxy for so long. At least with my vet and others I have dealt with in the US they do not like a long course of antibiotics because it can kill both the good and bad gut flora. Please keep us posted as to what your vet says and your pup is.

[Laraine]

Hi Madelon thank you for your reply. I am due to see the vet in a couple of months so I will see what they have to say, I think it has been easier for them to just give me the antibiotics, when I asked for Tylan they couldn't supply it either. I will have to be ready for them next visit

[Patsy]

No disrespect meant, but why leave it a couple of months? My vets were adamant about using it only for a month. If your pet isn’t farting and tummy rumbling , it hasn’t got Sibo/Sid. Staying on it , you’ll get no good bacteria surviving, whatever you give them . And possible diarrhoea anyway. Also there there are long term problems from oxytetracycline involving bones and teeth. Also, resistance to the antibiotic itself can build up.
Get stable on the enzymes ,b12 , and food, with the right pre or probiotics, see how things level out and take it from there.