Drug guide
Clindamycin for Dogs: Dosage, Contraindications & Safety
Clindamycin hydrochloride is an antibiotic used in dogs and is available in cited oral liquid, capsule, and tablet products.[2][3][4][5]
In dogs, the ANTIROBE AQUADROPS label gives oral dosing for skin infections (wounds and abscesses), deep wounds and abscesses, dental infections, and osteomyelitis.[2]
A cited dog dental trial used clindamycin at 5.5 mg/kg twice daily for ten days, with treatment extended to thirty-eight days in total if necessary, and reported 84% positive responses with clindamycin alone and 100% when used in collaboration with dental procedures.[1]
Overview
- Clindamycin hydrochloride is an antibiotic for dogs that is supplied as oral liquid, capsules, and tablets in the cited product information.[2][3][4][5]
- In dogs, cited uses include skin infections, deep wounds and abscesses, dental infections, osteomyelitis, and studied use in gingivitis and periodontitis.[1][2]
Dosage by species
- The cited label dose in dogs depends on the indication.[2]
| Species | Dose | Route | Frequency / duration | Product / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog | 2.5-15 mg/lb | oral | every 12 hours for skin infections (wounds and abscesses), deep wounds and abscesses, and dental infections in dogs for a maximum of 28 days | ANTIROBE AQUADROPS Liquid label dose.[2] |
| Dog | 5.0-15 mg/lb | oral | every 12 hours for osteomyelitis in dogs for a minimum of 28 days | ANTIROBE AQUADROPS Liquid label dose.[2] |
| Dog | 10–15 mg/kg | PO or IV or SC | q 12–24 h | Merck Veterinary Manual table; ELDU.[9] |
Indications
- Dog label indications include skin and dental infections and osteomyelitis.[2]
- Skin infections: wounds and abscesses, and deep wounds and abscesses.[2]
- Dental infections: dental infections in dogs.[2]
- Bone infection: osteomyelitis in dogs.[2]
- Dental disease studies: clindamycin was studied in gingivitis and periodontitis of the dog, including use in collaboration with dental procedures and in association with scaling.[1]
Contraindications & warnings
- ❌ Do not administer to rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, horses, chinchillas or ruminating animals because of potential adverse gastrointestinal effects.[3][5]
- ❌ CLINACIN tablets also state not to administer to rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, ruminants and horses because of potential adverse gastrointestinal effects.[4]
- ❌ Contraindicated in animals with a history of hypersensitivity to preparations containing clindamycin or lincomycin.[3][4][5]
- Hypersensitivity reaction: if a hypersensitivity reaction follows administration of CLINACIN tablets, immediate appropriate therapy should be instituted.[4]
- Superinfection: the use of CLINACIN tablets occasionally results in overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms such as clostridia and yeasts; if superinfections occur, appropriate measures should be taken as indicated by the clinical situation.[4]
- Reproduction: safety in gestating bitches or breeding males has not been established for CLINACIN tablets.[4]
Adverse effects
- Usually mild in the cited dog dental trial: only mild adverse effects were seen in a minority of cases.[1]
- Overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms: the use of CLINACIN tablets occasionally results in overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms such as clostridia and yeasts.[4]
Clinical notes
- Dental procedures improved outcomes in a cited dog trial: where clindamycin was used in collaboration with dental procedures a 100% positive response rate was received.[1]
- Clindamycin alone: where clindamycin was used alone, 84% positive responses were seen.[1]
- No clindamycin: if clindamycin was not used, the positive response rate fell to 51%.[1]
- After scaling: a number of animals received clindamycin twice a day for ten days after ultrasound teeth scaling in a study of gingivitis and periodontitis of the dog.[1]
Frequently asked questions
What is the labeled clindamycin dose for canine skin infections or dental infections?
For dogs, ANTIROBE AQUADROPS Liquid is administered at a dose range of 2.5-15 mg/lb orally every 12 hours for skin infections (wounds and abscesses), deep wounds and abscesses, and dental infections for a maximum of 28 days.[2]
What is the labeled clindamycin dose for osteomyelitis in dogs?
For osteomyelitis in dogs, ANTIROBE AQUADROPS Liquid is administered at a dose range of 5.0-15 mg/lb orally every 12 hours for a minimum of 28 days.[2]
Is clindamycin contraindicated in rabbits, horses, or ruminants?
The cited capsule and oral drops labeling states not to administer clindamycin to rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, horses, chinchillas or ruminating animals because of potential adverse gastrointestinal effects.[3][5]
CLINACIN tablets also state not to administer to rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, ruminants and horses because of potential adverse gastrointestinal effects.[4]
What does the cited evidence say about clindamycin for canine gingivitis or periodontitis?
A cited dog trial used clindamycin at 5.5 mg/kg twice daily for ten days, with treatment extended to thirty-eight days in total if necessary.[1]
In that trial, 84% positive responses were seen where clindamycin was used alone, and a 100% positive response rate was received where clindamycin was used in collaboration with dental procedures.[1]
Is safety established for clindamycin in gestating bitches or breeding males?
For CLINACIN tablets, safety in gestating bitches or breeding males has not been established.[4]
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Veterinarian · Reviewed 26 Oct 2026
References
- Clinacin 300 mg Tablets for Dogs
Passage read from this source
The trial was carried out by experienced veterinarians, and consisted of dogs being divided into the three groups described. Clindamycin (Cleorobe Capsules) was given at a dose rate of 5.5 mg/kg, twice daily for ten days. If necessary, treatment was extended to thirty-eight days in total. Where clindamycin was used alone, 84% positive responses were seen. If clindamycin was not used, the positive response rate fell to 51%. Where clindamycin was used in collaboration with dental procedures a 100% positive response rate was received. Only mild adverse effects were seen in a minority of cases. A third study analysed tolerance and efficacy of clindamycin used in association with scaling in gingivitis and periodontitis of the dog. A number of animals…
- freedom of information summary
Passage read from this source
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION SUMMARY ANTIROBE AQUADROPS Liquid (clindamycin hydrochloride) Supplemental NADA 135-940 Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. Addition of a Dose Range for Dogs Expansion of the Dose Range for Cats Addition of Recent MIC Data Page 2 Table of Contents General Information Page 3. Effectiveness Page 5. Target Animal Safety Page 5. Human Safety Page 5. Agency Conclusions Page 6. Approved Product Labeling Page 6. Page 3 1. GENERAL INFORMATION a. File Number: NADA 135-940 b. Sponsor: Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. 7000 Portage Road Kalamazoo, MI 49001-0199 Drug Labeler Code: 000009 c. Established Name: clindamycin hydrochloride d. Proprietary Name: ANTIROBE AQUADROPS Liquid e. Dosage Form: liquid f. How Supplied: The product is available as 20 mL filled in 30 mL…
g. How Dispensed: Prescription (Rx) – US Federal law restricts this drug to use by, or on the order of, a licensed veterinarian. h. Amount of Active Ingredients: Each mL contains 25 mg of clindamycin hydrochloride. i. Route of Administration: oral j. Species/Class: dogs and cats k. Recommended Dosage: The drug is administered at a dose range of 2.5- 15 mg/lb every 12 hours for skin infections (wounds and abscesses), deep wounds and abscesses, and dental infections in dogs for a maximum of 28 days. The drug is also administered at a dose range of 5.0-15 mg/lb Page 4 every 12 hours for osteomyelitis in dogs for a minimum of 28 days. In cats, the dose range is 5- 15…
Please refer to the Freedom of Information (FOI) Summaries for ANTIROBE Capsules (clindamycin hydrochloride), NADA 120-161, dated June 6, 1984 and November 16, 1989 and for ANTIROBE AQUADROPS Liquid (clindamycin hydrochloride), NADA 135-940, dated May 23, 1985 and October 7, 1996. This approval does not affect this section of these summaries, however, a review of this data supports the lower ends of the two dose ranges of 2.5-15 mg/lb and 5-15mg/lb body weight every 12 hours in dogs. It also supports the lower end of the dosage range of 5-15 mg/lb in cats. 3. TARGET ANIMAL SAFETY
- Antirobe® (clindamycin hydrochloride capsules)
Passage read from this source
ANTIROBE (clindamycin hydrochloride capsules) is contraindicated in animals with a history of hypersensitivity to preparations containing clindamycin or lincomycin. Because of potential adverse gastrointestinal effects, do not administer to rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, horses, chinchillas or ruminating animals.
- Clinacin Tablets 75 mg for Dogs (Canada)
Passage read from this source
CLINACIN tablets are contraindicated in animals with a history of hypersensitivity to preparations containing clindamycin or lincomycin. In the event of a hypersensitivity reaction following the administration of this drug, immediate appropriate therapy should be instituted. The use of CLINACIN tablets occasionally results in overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms such as clostridia and yeasts. Should superinfections occur, appropriate measures should be taken as indicated by the clinical situation. Because of potential adverse gastrointestinal effects, do not administer to rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, chinchillas, ruminants and horses. While high dose studies in rats suggest that clindamycin is not a teratogen and did not significantly affect the reproductive performance of males or females, safety in gestating bitches or breeding males has not been…
- Clindamycin HClOral drops
Passage read from this source
Clindamycin Hydrochloride Oral Drops is contraindicated in animals with a history of hypersensitivity to preparations containing clindamycin or lincomycin. Because of potential adverse gastrointestinal effects, do not administer to rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, horses, chinchillas or ruminating animals.
- Pharmacokinetics of clindamycin phosphate in dogs after ...
Passage read from this source
by SC Budsberg · 1992 · Cited by 19 — Clindamycin phosphate was administered to dogs at dosage of 11 mg/kg of body weight via IV and IM routes. The disposition curve for IV administration was ...
- Serum pharmacokinetics of clindamycin hydrochloride in ...
Passage read from this source
by MN Saridomichelakis · 2011 · Cited by 15 — Serum pharmacokinetics of clindamycin hydrochloride in normal dogs when administered at two dosage regimens ... dose of clindamycin at 5.5 mg/kg, twice ...
- Table: Dosages of Lincosamides- ...
Passage read from this source
Dosages of Lincosamides ; Clindamycin. Dogs, cats. 10–15 mg/kg, PO or IV or SC, q 12–24 h. ELDU ; Abbreviations: ELDU, extralabel drug use.
- Table: Dosages of Lincosamides-Merck Veterinary Manual
Passage read from this source
Dosages of Lincosamides ; Clindamycin. Dogs, cats. 10–15 mg/kg, PO or IV or SC, q 12–24 h. ELDU ; Abbreviations: ELDU, extralabel drug use.
- Efficacy of once-daily clindamycin hydrochloride in the ...
Passage read from this source
by PB Bloom · 2001 · Cited by 41 — Twenty-one dogs with canine superficial bacterial pyoderma were treated with clindamycin at a dosage of approximately 11 mg/kg body weight, q 24 hours, given ...
For veterinary professionals. Information supports — never replaces — clinical judgement; always check the current product label and local regulations.