Neomycin
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Neomycin for pets in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
Neomycin for pets in Perth
(nee-o-mye-sin)
Description:
This medicine is an antibiotic in the aminoglycoside group.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Biosol®
- Neomix®
Common Dosage Forms:
- For animals: a liquid taken by mouth, 200 mg/mL.
- For people: tablets, 500 mg.
Antimicrobial Classification:
Critically Important
This handout does not include every piece of information that exists about this medicine. It is meant to help with common questions, but it does not replace advice from a veterinary professional. If you still have questions or need more details about this medicine, speak with your veterinarian or your pharmacist.
Key Information
- Neomycin is an antibiotic given by mouth. It is used to lower the amount of bacteria in the gut before surgery, or to lower bacteria that make ammonia.
- Do not give this medicine to hamsters, rabbits, or hares.
- You can give neomycin by mouth either with food or without food. If your animal throws up or seems unwell after getting it on an empty stomach, give the next dose with food or a small treat. If the vomiting does not stop, contact your veterinarian.
- When neomycin is given by mouth for a short time, most animals handle it well. If it is used for a long time, or if an animal has sores in the intestines, neomycin can harm hearing (this is especially a concern in cats), the nervous system, and the kidneys.
- Neomycin can lead to diarrhea.
How is this medication useful?
- Neomycin is an antibiotic taken by mouth to lower bacteria in the intestines before intestinal surgery.
- In dogs and cats that have serious liver problems, neomycin may be used to lower gut bacteria that produce ammonia.
©2025 Educational Concepts, LLC, a division of Instinct 13
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many different factors can change how well this medicine works for your animal. Talk with your veterinarian about the points below so you can make treatment choices together.
- Some medicines can affect how this medicine works.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal receives, including medicines, vitamins, supplements, or 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 for the same problem in the past, 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 with your veterinarian.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any side effects your animal has had from medicines in the past.
- This includes 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 work within 1 to 2 hours. Even so, you may not be able to see the effects directly.
- Your animal should start to feel better within 1 to 2 days.
- This medicine does not last long in the body. Its action stops within 24 hours. However, the helpful effects may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver are not working 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.
If your animal has any of the issues listed below, talk with your veterinarian about weighing the risks and benefits.
- Animals that have an allergy to this medicine or to similar medicines (for example, gentamicin or amikacin).
- Cats may have a higher chance of an allergy to neomycin than other animals.
- Rabbits and hares.
- In these animals, neomycin can cause diarrhea that can be deadly.
- Animals that have a blockage in the stomach or intestines.
- Animals with kidney disease.
- Animals that are very young or very old.
- Working or service dogs.
- In rare cases, neomycin can cause hearing loss that does not go away.
- Horses, especially young horses (foals).
- Neomycin may lead to severe diarrhea.
What are the side effects of this medication?
- If neomycin is given by injection (a shot), it can be very harmful. But when it is given by mouth or as an enema (medicine placed into the rectum), little or none of it is taken up into the body.
- The chance of side effects goes up if the medicine is used for a long time, or if the animal has sores or irritation in the intestines.
- Diarrhea and loose stools.
- Very strong itching (in cats, this may look like excessive grooming), swelling of the face or tongue, and/or breathing that is difficult, loud, or noisy may be signs of a severe allergic reaction.
- Severe diarrhea.
- Urinating more often or less often than normal.
- A head tilt, poor balance, or difficulty hearing.
- Weakness or trouble moving.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
- If you see an overdose happen, or you think one may have happened, call your veterinarian or an animal poison control center for guidance.
©2025 Educational Concepts, LLC, a division of Instinct 14
How should this medication be given?
- For this medicine to work as intended, give it exactly the way your veterinarian instructed.
- It is also wise to read the prescription label each time so you confirm you are giving it correctly.
- You may give this medicine with food or without food.
- If your animal vomits or seems sick after getting it on an empty stomach, give the next dose with food or a small treat.
- If vomiting continues, contact your veterinarian.
- If you are using a liquid form, measure it with care.
- Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special measuring spoons or dosing syringes.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas to make dosing easier and to lower stress during medication time.
- This medicine may be prescribed for different lengths of time.
- Make sure you clearly understand how long your veterinarian wants your animal to keep taking it.
- You may need prescription refills before the full course is finished.
- Do not stop this medicine without speaking to your veterinarian first, because there may be important reasons to keep using it.
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, do not give the missed dose.
- Instead, give the next dose at the regular time.
- Then continue with the normal schedule.
- Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep tablets or capsules in the original prescription container, or in an approved pill organizer, at room temperature and away from light.
- Store the oral liquid at room temperature in containers that are tightly closed and protect it from light.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist has prepared a custom-made (compounded) version for your animal, follow the storage directions and the expiration date provided.
- Store this medicine 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 needed unless you are allergic to this medicine.
- Wash your hands after you handle any medication.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet and do not pour it into a sink.
- If your area has a community drug take-back program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program, combine the medicine with coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unattractive to children and animals and not easy to recognize.
- Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag to prevent leaks, and place the 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?
- This medicine may be prohibited in some animal competitions.
- Before entering a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine, check the rules.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
©2025 Educational Concepts, LLC, a division of Instinct 15
“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.”