Posatex for Dogs | Uses & Effects
03.12.2021.
One of the most common issues dogs and their owners face is ear infections. There are many possible reasons why a dog can get an ear infection, such as bacteria or yeast. This health condition can be painful and uncomfortable for our dogs. Luckily, some medications can help us deal with this problem. If your dog has an ear infection and your vet prescribed them Posatex, you’d probably want to know more about it. Here is the most critical information about Posatex for dogs.
What is Posatex for dogs?
The easiest way to describe Posatex is - it’s an ear medication. More precisely, it is a prescription ear medication used to treat yeast or bacterial ear infections. Unlike other ear drops or medications, Posatex contains a combination of three active ingredients. It contains orbifloxacin, mometasone, and posaconazole. One is an antibiotic, one is an anti-inflammatory steroid, and one is an antifungal ingredient. This combination is what makes this drug fantastic for dealing with bacterial and yeast ear infections.
What is Posatex used for?
As we already mentioned, Posatex is used for dealing with two types of ear infections - bacterial and yeast. The vet will prescribe this medication in case of canine otitis externa. This drug can be used for cats as well. In rare cases, vets can prescribe this medication to other mammals.
Yeast ear infection
Like the name says, this type of ear infection is caused by yeast. The easiest way to deal with this type of ear infection is by using antifungal medications. Posatex for dogs contains posaconazole, which is a potent antifungal chemical. One of the most common types of yeast that infects a dog’s ear is called Malassezia pachydermatis, and this drug is very effective against it.
Bacterial ear infection
A bacterial ear infection is caused by bacteria. The only way to deal with bacteria is with antibiotics. Posatex contains orbifloxacin, which is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that is effective against different types of bacteria. The most common types of bacteria infecting a dog’s ear are Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and coagulase-positive staphylococci. This medication should be very effective against all of them.
Is Posatex safe for my dog?
One of the most common questions dog owners ask their vets regarding this medication is, “Is it safe for my dog?” None of us want to give our dogs a powerful medication that will cause adverse effects and problems. The good news is that Posatex is considered safe for dogs. If it wasn’t, it would never get approved. The manufacturer conducted a field study where 143 dogs were treated with this medication to prove the drug’s safety. Only one dog developed hearing loss. After the vets stopped giving Posatex to the dog, their hearing returned in 7 days.
Posatex side effects
All dog owners whose dogs have to take this medication want to know whether there are any possible side effects to Posatex. We want to be prepared, and that involves knowing what we can expect. Keep in mind that all drugs can cause side effects. Still, our willingness to accept them is directly correlated to the benefit they provide our dog and the severity of the condition the drug is treating. Ear infections are painful, but they are rarely fatal. That means the accepted side effects should be mild and uncommon. The most common Posatex for dogs side effects are;
- Loss of appetite
- Sudden hearing loss
- Vomiting
- Increased thirst
- Diarrhea
- Worsening ear pain
- Head tilt
- New infections at the application site
VET TIP: There are other potential side effects like skin cysts or worsening lesions. However, that is only possible if the medication is not used for ear infections. Despite the fact that there are many potential side effects, they are rare.
Is Posatex effective?
The other important question dog owners have for vets is, “Is Posatex effective?” That means they want to know whether the drug will help their dog and how fast. The good news is that Posatex is considered fairly effective. Clinical improvements like reduced swelling, pain, redness, and ear canal erythema were reduced by nearly 90%. The manufacturer proved Psatex’s effectiveness in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, multi-site field study.
How is it administered?
The exact administration, as well as the correct dosage, should be instructed by your vet. The vet may advise you to use it more or less often than what the manufacturer intended. However, in most cases, Posatex should be administered once a day for 7 days. After that, the vet will want to examine your dog and make sure everything is alright with them.
Posatex dosage
Again, your vet should tell you the exact dosage you should administer to your dog. In most cases, dogs under 30 pounds should get 4 drops, dogs from 30 - 60 pounds should get 6 drops, and dogs above 60 pounds can get 8 drops in the affected ear.
Where can I get Posatex?
Since Posatex is a prescription medication, you can only get it if your vet prescribes it to your dog. When you get a prescription, you can pick up the drug in your local pet pharmacy. If you prefer ordering it online, you can get it from Chewy’s online pharmacy.
World Dog Finder team
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