Anyone have experience with chloramphenicol?

[LG & Sadie]

I am hoping this is the correct venue for a question for which I would love responses? After several courses of clavamox for Sadie over the course of months-our Vet decided to do a swab culture, and a urine culture of Sadie. She is quite undeveloped-it is called "tucked" I am told in the vaginal area. Well, the urine was clean, but the culture showed 3 horrible bacteria and evidenced all 3 were ONLY sensitive to chloramphenicol. She started treatment yesterday-and I am struggling with the effect it has on her phenobarbitol level-and her overwhelming fatigue. I know long term this is in her best interest!!!! But, because I am home with her round the clock recovering from surgery-it just breaks my heart to see her this sedated. I would love feedback as to how other's cope with what feels just plain wrong-and yet is in the dogs best interest!!! THANKS in advance for replies~

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm not familiar with this drug, but it does have an interaction with phenobarbitol and other anti-seizure meds.
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_chloramphenicol.html
It also seems to have a lot of benefits in the treatment of certain types of infections, and apparently doesn't destroy the body's good bacteria the way many antibiotics do.
I would maybe discuss the fatigue with the vet, perhaps the dosage can be adjusted?

[LG & Sadie]

Yes, she adjusted the pheno prior to treatment-since this drug increases the effects of pheno.....I am going to try to talk her into 2X a day for a longer period rather than 3X a day.......not sure it will fly or if it is wise..........I am so biased and want Sadie comfortable my intellect heads right out the window.....Thanks for your response!

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have no experience with chloramphenicol in dogs. It is a very old antibiotic that is used rarely in people nowadays since it can cause an fatal anemia. Still it can be used if nothing else is appropriate. But your vet should know she is on phenobarbital and therefore whether the dosage of phenobarbital accordingly. I think you need to call the vet.

[LG & Sadie]

Yes, we have to wear gloves to handle it.....the anemia it causes is irreversible, and can be fatal.....not messing with that! Thanks for the advice-I have the Vet on speed dial.....I am a frequent caller-mostlly because our girl has had more than her share of stuff to deal with! Yet another sad reminder of the horrors of puppy mill pups. Breaks my heart~ Thanks for the reply!!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Here is a reference:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=624&S=1

[LG & Sadie]

THANK YOU!

[Beth and Gang]

My lab , Abby, just finished her script. She took 1500 mgs 3 times a day. She had to have it refilled, and was on it for a month.
Her ears are much better. She was never sedated by this script, has always been her bouncy, happy self.
Abby did not have the pheno however.
I wish your Sadie the best.

[LG & Sadie]

Thanks-glad to hear the dose Abby took! That is what is prescribed for Sadie-who is 75 lbs. I guess the pheno is the kicker in terms of the increase in blood level. It is hard to see Sadie so sleepy-but we will get through it! Thanks for wishing Sadie the best-and glad to hear Abby is better!!

[Pat & "Tucker"]

Usually when there are three bacteria in the urine it is a contaminant. If the urine was clean (??) probably meaning no nitrites or lukocyte esterase and no white blood cells - this is another sign that it is probably not an infection and the culture was a contaminant and the urine should be repeated. I would request a catheterized urine. Here is some info below about interpretation of nitrites and leuk est. in the urine ( of which it sounds like Sadie DID NOT have). What was the bacteria?
Staph, strep, proteus and pseudomonas are usually sensitive to this drug and they aren't "horrible" organisms. it may be that she is colonized with these bacteria outside the urinary tract ( no treatement) which contaminated the culture OR maybe one organism is causing a problem that Likely has other antibiotics that can be used- get a cath culture. Hard to tell after she has already been on another antibiotic but 3 organisms and a "clean urine" don't give a clear picture of infection.
Nitrite
A positive nitrite test indicates that bacteria may be present in significant numbers in urine. Gram negative rods such as E. coli are more likely to give a positive test.

Leukocyte Esterase
A positive leukocyte esterase test results from the presence of white blood cells either as whole cells or as lysed cells. Pyuria can be detected even if the urine sample contains damaged or lysed WBC's. A negative leukocyte esterase test means that an infection is unlikely and that, without additional evidence of urinary tract infection, microscopic exam and/or urine culture need not be done to rule out significant bacteriuria.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Good points!

[LG & Sadie]

The 3 bacteria were present in the swab of vaginal discharge Sadie has had most of her 3 years-sorry I should have clarified. The catheterized urine-she did have and she did have the urine culture.....I trust our Vet......I just struggle with seeing Sadie "off" for what looks to be a long 2 weeks! Thanks for all of this info. you by far and away know MUCH much more than I on the topic. As a matter of fact I am not sure I get what a clean urine means-but, Sadie's urine was taken from the bladder by the Vet.....I think that means a cath urine? Am I right? Or is that a clean urine and the Cath is something different? I appreciate your response~ Again, thanks!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Not exactly. A catheterized urine is usually taken by inserting a tube, the catheter into the urethra. This is difficult in female dogs because the urethra opens inside the vagina. But another way of obtaining a clean urine is by inserting a needle through the abdominal wall into the bladder directly. At any rate it seems your vet is on top of things.