Target species
Cats and dogs
Indications for use, specifying the target species
Cats:
For the treatment of infected wounds and abscesses caused by clindamycin-sensitive species of Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp.
Dogs:
For the treatment of infected wounds, abscesses and oral cavity/dental infections caused by or associated with clindamycin-sensitive species of Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Bacteroides spp., Fusobacterium necrophorum, Clostridium perfringens.
Adjunctive treatment of mechanical or surgical periodontal therapy in the treatment of infections of the gingival and periodontal tissues.
For the treatment of osteomyelitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
Contraindications
Do not use in hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, chinchillas, horses or ruminants because clindamycin ingestion by these species may cause severe gastrointestinal disorders.
Do not use in cases of hypersensitivity to either clindamycin or lincomycin, or to any of the excipients.
Special warnings for each target species
None.
Special precautions for use
Special precautions for use in animals
Inappropriate use of the product may increase the prevalence of bacteria resistant to clindamycin. Whenever possible, clindamycin should only be used based on susceptibility testing including the D-zone test.
Official national and local antimicrobial policies should be taken into account when the product is used. Clindamycin is likely to favour the proliferation of non-susceptible organisms such as resistant Clostridia spp and yeasts. In case of secondary infection, appropriate corrective measures should be taken based on clinical observations. Clindamycin shows parallel-resistance with lincomycin and co-resistance with erythromycin. There is a partial cross-resistance to erythromycin and other macrolides.
In case of administration of high doses of clindamycin or during prolonged therapy of one month or greater, tests for liver and renal functions and blood counts should be performed periodically. In dogs and cats with kidney problems and/or liver problems, accompanied by severe metabolic aberrations, the dose to be administered should be carefully determined and their condition should be monitored by performing appropriate blood tests during treatment. The use of the product is not recommended in neonates.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals
Wash hands carefully after use.
People with known hypersensitivity to lincosamides (lincomycin and clindamycin) should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product.
Care should be taken to avoid accidental ingestion as this may result in gastro-intestinal effects such as abdominal pain and diarrhoea.
In case of accidental ingestion, particularly by a child, or allergic reaction seek medical advice immediately and show the package leaflet or the label to the physician.
Adverse reactions (frequency and seriousness)
Vomiting and/or diarrhoea have been reported very rarely.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).
Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay
While high dose studies in rats suggests that clindamycin is not a teratogen and does not significantly affect the breeding performance of males and females, the safety of the veterinary medicinal product in pregnant bitches/queens or breeding male dogs/cats has not been established. Use only according to the benefit/risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian.
Clindamycin can pass the placenta and blood-milk barrier. As a consequence, treatment of lactating females can cause diarrhoea in puppies and kittens.
Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
Aluminium salts and hydroxides, kaolin and Aluminium-Magnesium-Silicate complex may reduce the gastrointestinal absorption of lincosamides. Products containing these substances should be administered at least 2 hours before clindamycin.
Cyclosporin: clindamycin may reduce levels of this immunosuppressive drug with a risk of lack of activity.
Neuro-muscular blocking agents: Clindamycin possesses intrinsic neuromuscular blocking activity and should be used cautiously with other neuromuscular blocking agents (curares). Clindamycin may increase neuromuscular blockade.
Do not use clindamycin simultaneously with chloramphenicol or macrolides as they both target the ribosome 50S subunit and antagonist effects may develop.
When using clindamycin and aminoglycosides (i.e gentamicin) simultaneously, the risk of adverse interactions (acute renal failure) cannot be excluded.
Amounts to be administered and administration routes
For oral administration only
Recommended dose:
Cats:
Infected wounds, abscesses: 11mg of clindamycin per kg of bodyweight per 24h or 5.5 mg/kg per 12h for 7 to 10 days. The treatment should be stopped if no therapeutic effect is observed after 4 days.
Dogs:
Infected wounds, abscesses and oral cavity/dental infections: 11 mg clindamycin per kg of body weight per 24h or 5.5 mg/kg per 12h for 7 to 10 days. The treatment should be stopped if no therapeutic effect is observed after 4 days.
Treatment of bone infections (osteomyelitis): 11 mg clindamycin per kg of body weight every 12 hours for a period of 28 days minimum. The treatment should be discontinued if no therapeutic effect is observed in the first 14 days.
Dosage | Volume to be administered per kg bodyweight |
5.5 mg/kg | Corresponding approximately to 0.25 ml per kg |
11 mg/kg | Corresponding approximately to 0.5 ml per kg |
To ensure administration of a correct dose, bodyweight should be determined as accurately as possible.
A 3 ml graduated syringe is provided to facilitate the administration of the veterinary medicinal product.
The solution is flavoured. The solution can be administered directly into the mouth of the animal or added to a small quantity of food.
Overdose (symptoms, emergency procedures, antidotes), if necessary
No adverse effects have been reported in dogs after administration of high dosage up to 300 mg/kg clindamycin.
Vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, leukocytosis and elevated liver enzymes have been observed occasionally. In such cases, discontinue the treatment and administer a symptomatic treatment.
Withdrawal period(s)
Not applicable