Gentamicin, Injection
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Gentamicin, Injection during a consultation by Dr Noor in Perth.”
Key Information
Note: This handout is meant to address common questions. It does not include every detail that may exist about this medicine. It also does not replace guidance from your veterinary care team.
Description
Gentamicin is a medicine used to treat infections caused by bacteria.
It belongs to a group of antibiotics called aminoglycosides (a type of antibiotic).
It comes as a liquid that is given by injection.
Other common names
- Garamycin
- Gentocin
Uses of Gentamicin, Injection
Uses approved for animals:
- In dogs and cats, it is used for bacterial infections affecting the urinary tract (the system involved in making and passing urine) or the respiratory tract (the breathing system).
- In dogs and cats, it is used for bacterial infections of the skin and the soft tissues.
Your veterinarian may also choose to use it in other animal types or for other reasons that are not listed on the product label (this is called extra-label use).
Before this medication is given
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Talk with your veterinarian about:
- Any medicines or supplements your animal is currently receiving.
- Any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
- Any unwanted reactions your animal has had to medicines in the past.
- The possible risks of using this medicine if your animal is pregnant or nursing.
Warnings for animals
Do not use this medication in:
- Animals that have an allergy to this medicine or to related antibiotics, including amikacin, tobramycin, or neomycin.
Use this medication carefully in:
- Animals that have kidney disease.
- Working animals or service animals.
- Animals with diseases that affect how muscles and nerves work together, such as myasthenia gravis.
- Very young animals or very old animals.
- Animals that are not getting enough fluids (dehydrated).
Some animal competitions do not allow certain medicines. If your animal competes, check the rules while your animal is receiving a medication.
Warnings for humans
- Clean your hands after you handle any medication.
To reduce the chance of accidental needle injuries:
- Throw away used needles and syringes right after use.
- Do not remove the needle from the syringe, and do not put the cap back on the needle before throwing it away.
A needle injury can cause pain and infection. If you accidentally stick yourself with a needle, contact your doctor.
How do I give this medication?
Give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed it. Always follow the directions printed on the prescription label.
Most often, this medicine is given into a vein at the veterinary clinic.
In some cases, it may be given under the skin (subcutaneously) at home.
If you are giving this medicine at home:
- Use a fresh needle and a new syringe each time you give an injection.
- If medicine drips out of the needle after you give it, or if you think only part of the dose went in, do not give another dose. Instead, wait and give the normal dose at the next planned time.
- If you are unsure about how to give the injection, contact your veterinarian.
While your animal is receiving this medicine, it is important that your animal gets enough fluids. Make sure your animal always has access to clean, fresh water.
Your veterinarian will need to check your animal during treatment using blood tests and urine tests.
Possible side effects can include harm to the nerves, the ears, and the kidneys. If you are worried about side effects, contact your veterinarian.
Side effects
Common:
- A stinging feeling or swelling where the injection was given.
Severe:
- This medicine can harm the kidneys. Signs that may suggest kidney damage include drinking more than usual, urinating more than usual, not wanting to eat, and vomiting.
- This medicine can harm the ears, including causing hearing loss. Signs that may suggest ear or hearing problems include dizziness, trouble keeping balance, poor coordination, or a head tilt.
- This medicine can harm the nervous system. Signs may include weakness, trouble moving normally, muscle spasms, or difficulty breathing.
Contact your veterinarian if you see any of these signs, or if you have any concerns about side effects.
How will I know it's working?
This medicine should start to take effect within 1 to 2 hours. Your animal should begin to feel better within 1 to 2 days.
If your animal’s symptoms get worse or do not improve, contact your veterinary clinic.
How long will the medication effects last?
After the final dose, this medicine will no longer work within 24 hours.
If your animal’s kidneys do not work as well, the effects may continue for a longer time.
Your veterinarian will need to monitor your animal with blood and urine tests during treatment with this medication.
How long do I give it for?
The length of treatment can vary. Follow the directions your veterinarian gives you.
It is important to give the full course of treatment, even if your animal seems to be feeling better.
Overdose
Too much gentamicin can lead to serious damage to the kidneys and nerves. If you see an overdose happen, or think it may have happened, call your veterinarian or a pet poison helpline right away (a consultation fee applies):
- Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
If possible, have the product container or label with you.
Missed dose
If a dose is missed, speak with your veterinarian.
Storage
Keep this medicine at room temperature.
Store all medicines where children and animals cannot reach them.
Disposal
You may throw this medicine away in your regular household trash.
Put used needles and syringes into a sharps container. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can assist you in getting a sharps container.
When the sharps container is about three-quarters full, dispose of it. Ask your local waste service or health department what disposal options are available where you live.
Questions?
Talk to your veterinarian.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”