Veterinary Pharmacology Side Effects

Flashcards covering key adverse effects and toxicities associated with various antibiotics and drug classes used in veterinary medicine.

Retinal damage, blindness

Enrofloxacin (Baytril®) - Cats are very sensitive; can cause permanent retinal degeneration.

Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye)

Tetracycline - Rare; mostly dogs.

Kidney failure (nephrotoxicity)

Aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin) - Dose-dependent; mostly dogs/cats; monitor renal function.

Idiosyncratic aplastic anemia in people

Chloramphenicol - Rare but potentially fatal; humans only.

Yellowing teeth & stunted bone development

Tetracycline - Avoid in young animals (growing teeth/bones).

Broad antibiotic resistance

Florfenicol - Resistance concerns in some livestock/pathogens.

Seizures

Enrofloxacin (Baytril®), Metronidazole - Dose-dependent neurotoxicity.

“Bubble gum” lesions in cartilage

Fluoroquinolones - Growing animals; joint cartilage toxicity.

Fatal Clostridial enteritis

Clindamycin - Mainly in rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs (disrupts gut flora).

Esophageal necrosis

Doxycycline / Tetracycline tablets - Usually if pill sticks in esophagus; mostly cats.

Allergy & anaphylaxis

Beta-lactams (PenG, cephalosporins) - Can be severe; watch for hypersensitivity.

Ototoxicity (deafness)

Aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin) - Rare; more in humans and high doses.

Sudden collapse after IV injection

Tilmicosin - Cattle, horses, sometimes other species; cardiotoxic.

Heart failure in people after accidental injection

Tilmicosin - Extremely cardiotoxic in humans if injected accidentally.