Microbiology

Amoxicillin is bactericidal in action and acts throu g the inhibition of biosynthesis of cell wall mucopeptide of susceptible organisms. The action of clavulanic acid extends the antimicrobial spectrum of amoxicillin to include organisms resistant to amoxicillin and other β-lactam antibiotics. Amoxicillin/clavulanate has been shown to have a wide range of activity which includes β-lactamase-producing strains of both gram-positive and gram-negative aerobes, facultative anaerobes, and obligate anaerobes. Many strains of the following organisms, including β-lactamase-producing strains, isolated from veterinary sources, were found to be susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanate in vitro but the clinical significance of this activity has not been demonstrated for some of these organisms in animals.

Aerobic bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus1, β-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus aureus1(penicillin resistant), Staphylococcus species1, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus intermedius, Streptococcus faecalis, Streptococcus species1, Corynebacterium pyogenes, Corynebacterium species, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Bordetella bronchiseptica, Escherichia coli1, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus species, Enterobacter species, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella dublin, Salmonella typhimurium, Pasteurella multocida1, Pasteurella haemolytica, Pasteurella species1.

Studies have demonstrated that both aerobic and anaerobic flora are isolated from gingival cultures of dogs with clinical evidence of periodontal disease. Both gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic subgingival isolates indicate sensitivity to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid during antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

1

The susceptibility of these organisms has also been demonstrated in in vivo studies.

Susceptibility test

The recommended quantitative disc susceptibility method (FEDERAL REGISTER 37:20527–29; Bauer AW, Kirby WMM, Sherris JC, et al: Antibiotic susceptibility testing by standardized single disc method. Am J Clin Path 45:493, 1966) utilized 30 mcg Augmentin® (AMC) discs for estimating the susceptibility of bacteria to Clavamox Tablets and Drops.

Dogs

Skin and soft tissue infections such as wounds, abscesses, cellulitis, superficial/juvenile and deep pyoderma due to susceptible strains of the following organisms: β-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus aureus, non-β-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., and E. coli.

Peridontal infections due to susceptible strains of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Clavamox has been shown to be clinically effective for treating cases of canine periodontal disease.

Cats

Skin and soft tissue infections such as wounds, abscesses, and cellulitis/dermatitis due to susceptible strains of the following organisms: β-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus aureus, non-β-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., E. coli, Pasteurella multocida, and Pasteurella spp.

Urinary tract infections (cystitis) due to susceptible strains of E. coli.

Therapy may be initiated with Clavamox prior to obtaining results from bacteriological and susceptibility studies.

A culture should be obtained prior to treatment to determine susceptibility of the organisms to Clavamox. Following determination of susceptibility results and clinical response to medication, therapy may be reevaluated.

Dogs

The recommended dosage is 6.25 mg/lb (1 mL/10 lb) of body weight twice a day. Skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses, cellulitis, wounds, superficial/juvenile pyoderma, and periodontal infections should be treated for 5–7 days or for 48 hours after all symptoms have subsided. If no response is seen after 5 days of treatment, therapy should be discontinued and the case reevaluated. Deep pyoderma may require treatment for 21 days; the maximum duration of treatment should not exceed 30 days.

Cats

The recommended dosage is 62.5 mg (1 mL) twice a day. Skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses and cellulitis/dermatitis should be treated for 5–7 days or 48 hours after all symptoms have subsided, not to exceed 30 days. If no response is seen after 3 days of treatment, therapy should be discontinued and the case reevaluated.

Urinary tract infections may require treatment for 10–14 days or longer. The maximum duration of treatment should not exceed 30 days.

Reconstitution Instructions - Oral Suspension

Add 14 mL of water to the 15-mL bottle and shake vigorously. Each mL of suspension will contain 50 mg of amoxicillin activity as the trihydrate and 12.5 mg of clavulanic acid activity as the potassium salt.

Note: Any unused portion of the reconstituted suspension must be discarded after 10 days. Refrigeration of the reconstituted suspension is required.