Gentamicin, Topical
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Gentamicin, Topical during a consultation by Dr Noor. Gentamicin topical for pets is provided by our mobile vet Perth service.”
Gentamicin, Topical for pets
(jen-ta-mye-sin)
Description:
This is a medicine used on the skin or in the ear to help treat infections caused by bacteria.
Other Names for this Medication:
- This medicine is sold under many different non-brand (generic) names.
Common Dosage Forms:
- Veterinary: None.
- Human: 0.1% cream and 0.1% ointment.
Antimicrobial Classification:
- Critically Important
This handout does not include every detail that exists about this medicine. It is meant to answer common questions, but it does not replace medical advice. If you still have questions or need more details, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
Key Information
- Sprays are used for small spots of mild skin infection caused by bacteria.
- If the spray is used on skin that is open (ulcerated) or damaged by burns, the medicine may soak into the body and could lead to side effects.
- Ear products are used for infections in the outer part of the ear.
How is this medication useful?
Gentamicin topical spray for dogs is used to treat shallow (superficial) skin infections caused by bacteria when the bacteria are the type this medicine can treat. Ear medicines that include gentamicin are used for dogs that have infections of the outer ear caused by bacteria and/or yeast. In some cases, veterinarians may prescribe medicines that contain gentamicin for other animal species or for different problems. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this medicine is the best option.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many factors can change how well this medicine works for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the following so you can make treatment choices together.
- Other medicines may affect this medicine. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including vitamins, supplements, and herbal products. Also share how much you give and when you give each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had before.
- If your animal has had treatment in the past for the same illness or problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the possible risks of using this medicine.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any past medication problems your animal has had, including side effects such as allergic reactions, not wanting to eat, diarrhea, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
This medicine should begin to act within 1 to 2 hours, but you may not be able to see changes right away. Your animal should start to feel better within 1 to 2 days. The effect does not last long and usually stops within 24 hours.
If you are using a gentamicin product that also includes betamethasone (a steroid medicine used to reduce swelling and irritation), the effect of the combined product lasts a medium amount of time. It may continue for a few days. The helpful effect may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver do not work as well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any concerns that apply to your animal.
This drug SHOULD NOT be used in:
- Animals that have an allergy to it.
- Animals with a torn (ruptured) ear drum.
This drug should be used WITH CAUTION in:
- Females close to the end of pregnancy.
- Patients with skin that is open (ulcerated) or burned.
If your animal has any of these situations, talk with your veterinarian about the possible risks compared with the possible benefits.
What are the side effects of this medication?
Gentamicin spray for the skin and gentamicin ear products are usually tolerated well.
Side effects that may be serious or indicate a serious problem:
If you notice any of the signs below, contact your veterinarian right away.
- Infections that do not seem to be improving.
- Not wanting to eat, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- Drinking more than usual and urinating more than usual.
- Hearing loss.
- A new head tilt; stumbling; or acting off-balance or not coordinated (clumsy).
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
If you see an overdose happen, or you think it may have happened, contact your veterinarian right away for instructions.
How should this medication be given?
For this medicine to work correctly, use it exactly the way your veterinarian prescribed.
Before using gentamicin sprays on the skin:
- Trim or remove extra hair and clean the area that will be treated.
- Keep the bottle upright.
- Hold it about 3 to 6 inches from the affected skin.
- Press the sprayer the number of times your veterinarian prescribed.
- Your veterinarian will tell you how many times per day to treat and how many days to continue.
Before using gentamicin ear ointments:
- The ear canal needs to be cleaned and dried.
- Clean the ears the way your veterinarian instructed.
- After the ear canals are clean and dry, put the prescribed amount of medicine into the ear(s).
- Rub the base of the ear(s) that were treated so the medicine spreads in and around the ear canal.
- Make sure the medicine reaches all red areas inside the ear, including the ear flap.
- Follow your veterinarian’s directions for how often to apply it and how long to keep using it.
If giving the treatment is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas to make dosing easier and to lower stress during medication time.
This medicine may be used for different lengths of time. Make sure you understand how long your veterinarian wants you to keep giving it.
- You may need prescription refills before the full course is finished.
- Do not stop this medicine without speaking with your veterinarian, because there may be important reasons to continue.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
- If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, give the missed dose when you remember, then wait the usual time between doses (as your veterinarian recommended) before giving the next one.
- Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in the original prescription container.
- Store it at room temperature and keep it away from light.
- Some ear products need to be shaken well before use.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist prepared a custom-made (compounded) version for your animal, follow the storage directions and the expiration date provided for that product.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
No special handling steps are required unless you are allergic to this medicine. Even so, it is a good practice to wash your hands after you handle any medicine. If you are allergic to it, wear gloves when you handle it.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not pour this medicine into a toilet or down a sink.
- If your area has a community medicine “take-back” program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program:
- Combine the medicine with used coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unpleasant to children and animals and not recognizable to someone searching the trash.
- Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks.
- Then place the sealed bag in the regular trash.
- Do not keep leftover medicine to use later, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- Some animal competitions may not allow the use of this medicine. Check the rules before entering your animal in a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine.
- Do not stop giving this medicine earlier than your veterinarian instructed, even if the infection looks like it is gone. Stopping too soon can lead to long-lasting (chronic) infections.
- Your veterinarian will want to examine your animal again to confirm the infection is fully cleared. Do not skip these follow-up visits.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“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.”
Related Medication Information
- Gentamicin-Betamethasone, Topical
- Bacitracin, Topical
- Mupirocin, Topical
- Triple Antibiotic, Topical
- Gentamicin Sulfate, Eye