Clavamox® Tablets and Oral Suspension for Dogs and Cats

This veterinary antibiotic treats susceptible skin, soft tissue, and dental infections. You can order with US delivery from Canada, even if you pay without insurance. This page explains uses, safety, dosing basics, and how to store it.

What Clavamox Is and How It Works

Clavamox® is a veterinary combination of amoxicillin and clavulanate. Amoxicillin inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis, while clavulanate helps block enzymes that can inactivate amoxicillin. Together, the pair improves activity against many beta-lactamase–producing organisms that affect dogs and cats. Clinicians may choose amoxicillin clavulanate potassium for dogs when culture results or local patterns suggest susceptibility. This medicine does not treat viral or fungal infections.

CanadianInsulin.com is a prescription referral platform. We verify prescriptions with your prescriber when required, and licensed Canadian pharmacies dispense your order.

Typical uses include skin and soft tissue infections, periodontal infections, and some urinary infections caused by susceptible bacteria. Effectiveness depends on the organism and its resistance profile. Your veterinarian will decide whether this therapy is appropriate after an exam and, when indicated, culture and sensitivity testing. For background on another widely used option, see our article Cephalexin For Dogs And Cats.

Who It’s For

Vets prescribe Clavamox for dogs with susceptible skin, soft tissue, periodontal, or urinary infections. It is also used in cats for many of the same indications when bacteria are likely to respond. Animals with a known allergy to penicillins or cephalosporins should avoid this treatment. Use caution in pets with significant kidney dysfunction. The medicine should be used only under veterinary supervision and for the full prescribed course.

Dosage and Usage

Administer by mouth exactly as directed by the veterinarian. Doses are typically given at evenly spaced 12-hour intervals. A small meal can help reduce stomach upset. Encourage water intake unless the prescriber advises otherwise. If tablets are split, use a clean pill cutter and store remaining halves in a tight container.

Reconstituted oral suspension should be shaken well before each dose to ensure uniform distribution. Use a marked oral syringe or dosing spoon for accurate measurement. Do not alter the dose or stop early without veterinary guidance, even if clinical signs appear to improve. Finishing the prescribed course helps reduce relapse and resistance.

Strengths and Forms

This treatment is available in several presentations so clinicians can tailor dosing by weight and infection type. Clavamox chewables are palatable for easier administration to dogs that resist standard tablets.

• Tablets and chewable tablets in 62.5 mg, 125 mg, 250 mg, and 375 mg strengths
• Oral drops supplied as a powder for reconstitution to an oral suspension
• Flavor options vary; check the label and your prescription

Availability of specific strengths and forms can vary by pharmacy and region.

Missed Dose and Timing

If a dose is missed, give it when remembered unless it is close to the next scheduled dose. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume the regular schedule. Do not double up doses. Keeping a dosing log or timer can help maintain consistent spacing across the day.

Storage and Travel Basics

Store tablets in a tightly closed container at typical room temperatures and away from moisture. Keep out of reach of children and other animals. Protect tablets from excessive heat and direct light. After reconstitution, the oral suspension should be kept in the refrigerator and used within the timeframe shown on the pharmacy label. Do not freeze the suspension. Discard any remaining reconstituted liquid after the labeled beyond-use date.

When traveling, carry the medicine in original labeled packaging and pack a clean dosing syringe or pill organizer. A copy of the prescription or the pharmacy receipt is helpful for verification. If a trip spans multiple weeks, ask the prescriber about an adequate supply and written instructions. Avoid leaving the medicine in a hot car or near a heater. If questions arise about stability, consult the dispensing pharmacist.

Benefits

This class provides broad-spectrum coverage against many aerobic bacteria that commonly infect dogs and cats. The combination helps overcome certain resistance mechanisms. A twice-daily schedule supports adherence for many households, and flavored chewables can make administration easier for reluctant pets. Multiple tablet strengths and an oral suspension allow better dosing flexibility for small breeds and kittens. When used as prescribed, the therapy may help resolve clinical signs associated with susceptible infections.

Side Effects and Safety

• Upset stomach or vomiting
• Loose stools or diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Drooling or lip-licking, more often in cats
• Soft stool odor changes

Allergic reactions can occur in sensitive animals. Signs may include facial swelling, hives, or sudden breathing difficulty. Severe or persistent diarrhea may indicate antibiotic-associated colitis. Stop the medicine and contact the veterinarian promptly if concerning reactions appear. Pets with a history of reactions to penicillins or cephalosporins have higher risk. Report all current medicines and supplements to the prescriber before starting therapy.

Drug Interactions and Cautions

Some medicines can change how this antibiotic works. Probenecid can raise penicillin levels, and allopurinol may increase the chance of skin reactions. Anticoagulants may require closer monitoring. Bacteriostatic antibiotics can theoretically reduce the activity of penicillin-class agents when used together; the prescriber will decide if combination therapy is appropriate. Use caution in animals with kidney disease. Safety in pregnant or breeding animals has not been fully established; veterinarians weigh benefits and risks based on the case.

In certain situations, a prescriber may choose a different antibiotic class. For example, tick-borne or atypical bacterial infections may call for Doxycycline. For broader reading about macrolide options, see Azithromycin For Pets and Doxycycline For Dogs.

What to Expect Over Time

With appropriate use, clinical signs caused by susceptible bacteria may lessen during the prescribed course. Individual response varies by organism, infection site, and overall health. Completing the full course is important, even if the pet seems comfortable earlier. Veterinarians may recommend follow-up to confirm resolution, especially for urinary or deep tissue infections. If new symptoms appear during therapy, contact the clinic before giving additional doses. Keep a simple diary of appetite, stool consistency, and activity to support clinical decisions.

Compare With Alternatives

Choice of antibiotic depends on the organism, infection site, and tolerance. Common alternatives include first-generation cephalosporins and certain fluoroquinolones when indicated by culture results and veterinary judgment. Two examples supplied by our pharmacy partners are Cephalexin and Zeniquin. Your veterinarian will select the most appropriate agent and duration for the diagnosis.

Pricing and Access

Final pricing varies by strength, form, and dispensing pharmacy. You can review current options on the product page and submit your prescription for verification. Many customers choose to buy Clavamox for dogs online through CanadianInsulin for Canada-based pricing and convenient checkout. We offer US delivery from Canada with clear tracking. For occasional coupon opportunities, see Promotions. Checkout is encrypted, and orders are dispensed by licensed Canadian pharmacies after prescription validation.

Availability and Substitutions

Supply can change over time. If a requested strength or form is temporarily unavailable, a prescriber may recommend an alternative regimen or a different formulation. When appropriate, a veterinarian might consider generic Clavamox for dogs such as veterinary-labeled amoxicillin–clavulanate (often sold as Clavacillin). Any substitution requires veterinary approval to ensure the dose, duration, and formulation remain suitable for the pet.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

This therapy suits many dogs and cats with susceptible infections when penicillin-class antibiotics are appropriate. It may not be suitable for animals with a history of beta-lactam allergy, severe renal disease, or previous antibiotic-associated colitis. For households that self pay, larger fills can reduce per-unit costs when the prescriber authorizes an extended course. Consider aligning refills with rechecks so you do not run short mid-treatment. Storing tablets correctly preserves shelf life, and keeping an extra labeled oral syringe helps avoid dosing errors. To manage adherence, set phone reminders or use a dosing chart on the refrigerator.

Questions to Ask Your Clinician

• Is a culture and sensitivity test recommended for this infection?
• Which signs should prompt a call before the next dose?
• How long should treatment continue after symptoms improve?
• Will any of my pet’s other medicines interact with this antibiotic?
• Should the dose be given with food for my pet?
• When should we schedule a follow-up exam or urinalysis?

Authoritative Sources

Learn more from official references below:

• Zoetis Product Label
• FDA FOI Summary
• Health Canada DPD

Ready to proceed? Add this medicine to your cart, upload or send the prescription, and choose options for prompt, express, temperature-controlled handling when required. US delivery from Canada is available. This information is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary advice; always follow your veterinarian’s directions.