• Some dogs have had adverse reactions to Baytril antibiotic medications.dog photo image by Earl Robbins from Fotolia.com
  
  If your dog is plagued with varying infections, your veterinarian may recommend Baytril (generic name enrofloxacin) depending on the type of bacteria causing the infection. Baytril kills the aerobic bacteria that cause most skin, ear, urinary tract and respiratory infections by re-arranging the bacterium's DNA so that it cannot live in its environment. Because significant side effects occur in some dogs on this drug, you need to consult with your veterinarian regarding the possible consequences of your dog taking Baytril in any of its forms.
  
  

Baytril Oral

• Bayer Animal Health manufactures oral dosages of Baytril antibiotic in tablets of 22.7 mg (milligrams), 68 mg and 136 mg. Your veterinarian will recommend a specific dose depending on the size of your dog and the extent of the infection. Your dog may undergo gastrointestinal reactions including loose stools or diarrhea and/or vomiting, particularly if he is administered the high dose or oral medication prescribed for treating a Pseudomonas-induced ear infection.
  
  Dr. Wendy C. Brooks of The Pet Pharmacy says that the use of Baytril in your young dog less than eight months of age can damage growing joint cartilage causing lamenesses and other joint problems as she grows. She also states that the drug produces urine crystals in some dogs, resulting in possible bladder and urine stones, and causing urinary tract disorders. Although the enrofloxacin crystals are not as prevalent as the more commonly diagnosed struvite, oxalate and urate crystals caused by the types of food your dog eats, they are still a reason for concern.
  
  

Baytril Otic

• According to the veterinarians at VetInfo.com, the dogs that endure rare allergic reactions to Baytril Otic, typically recommended for ear infections, suffer complications that can be life-threatening. These side effects include hearing loss and anaphylactic shock--difficulty breathing, hives on the head and body, and swelling of the tongue, throat and lips. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, contact a veterinarian immediately for treatment.
  
  Non-allergic reactions to the eardrops include ear irritation and inflammation of the ear canal, dizziness and vomiting. Some dogs experience appetite loss, diarrhea and lethargy.
  
  

Baytril Injectable

• Your veterinarian may suggest injecting your dog with Baytril Injectable if your dog resists taking pills or the infection is especially virulent. At Drugs.com, Bayer Animal Health says that their studies show no evidence of any "drug-related side effects reported in 122 clinical cases," even when the injection was followed by Baytril tablets, although some dogs vomited and experienced diarrhea on the oral medications alone.
  
  Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs by Dr. Mark G. Papich notes that high concentrations of the drug in your dog may cause central nervous system toxicity, resulting in dizziness, stumbling and an inability to walk.
  
  

Contraindications

• In his book, "Pharmacology for Veterinary Technicians," Dr. Robert Bill says treating some dogs with Baytril "has precipitated seizure activity in animals predisposed to seizures." He does not recommend using this drug if your dog is a diagnosed epileptic. He also suggests not using the medication in pregnant or nursing animals because it can be passed to the puppies.
  
  Administering Baytril at the same time you are dosing your dog with Sucralfate (used to treat stomach ulcers) causes the antibiotic to become ineffective. Dr. Brooks recommends waiting at least two hours between medications if using both. She also says that using Baytril with oral cyclosporine (a drug treating inflammatory bowel disease) increases the kidney-damaging properties of the cyclosporine.