What is Amoxicillin-Clavulanate used for?

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate is indicated for: abscess, abscess (non-respiratory), bite wounds, dental, respiratory, Skin infections, Skin/soft tissue infection, UTI.

Which species have cited Amoxicillin-Clavulanate dosing data?

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 5 species: African Pygmy Hedgehog, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Ferret, Pet Rat.

Is Amoxicillin-Clavulanate a controlled substance?

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

What are the warnings or contraindications for Amoxicillin-Clavulanate?

CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters (fatal dysbiosis). GI upset (vomiting, diarrhea). Broad-spectrum first-line antibiotic. Give with food.

What are the side effects of Amoxicillin-Clavulanate?

Reported side effects, adverse reactions, and contraindications for Amoxicillin-Clavulanate: CONTRAINDICATED in rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters (fatal dysbiosis). GI upset (vomiting, diarrhea). Broad-spectrum first-line antibiotic. Give with food.

How does Amoxicillin-Clavulanate work?

Amoxicillin inhibits cell wall synthesis; clavulanate irreversibly inhibits beta-lactamase, extending spectrum to beta-lactamase-producing organisms.

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate

US brand names:Clavamox, Augmentin

Calculate dosage

Contraindicated in Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Chinchilla, Hamster, Degu

Rabbit: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in rabbitsOral amoxicillin (and other oral beta-lactams) selectively destroy gram-positive hindgut flora in rabbits, allowing Clostridium spiroforme overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never administer oral beta-lactams to rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route, but is not established as safe in rabbits.
Guinea Pig: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in guinea pigsOral amoxicillin reliably causes Clostridium difficile-mediated fatal enterotoxemia in guinea pigs. Same mechanism as in rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route; parenteral ceftiofur specifically has been given to guinea pigs and chinchillas without adverse effect.
Chinchilla: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in chinchillasChinchillas are hindgut fermenters with the same flora dependence as rabbits and guinea pigs. Oral penicillins and oral cephalosporins trigger Clostridium overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never give oral beta-lactams; parenteral routes and trimethoprim-sulfa, fluoroquinolones, or chloramphenicol are the safer choices.

Hamster: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal enterocolitis in hamstersHamsters are exquisitely susceptible to antibiotic-associated Clostridium difficile enterocolitis — the hamster is the classic laboratory model for it. Oral penicillins and cephalosporins are reliably fatal. Never administer oral beta-lactams.

Degu: Oral beta-lactams risk fatal dysbiosis in degusDegus are caviomorph hindgut fermenters closely related to chinchillas and guinea pigs. Degu-specific data is limited, so this warning is extrapolated from those related hystricomorphs — but the shared physiology makes oral beta-lactam enterotoxemia the expected outcome. Treat as contraindicated; use the safer alternatives.

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate is dosed at 10–20 mg/kg PO q12h in african pygmy hedgehogs, per Heatley J. Hedgehogs. In: Mitchell MA, Tully TN Jr., [eds].; Johnson D. African pygmy hedgehogs. In: Meredith [ed].; Lightfoot T. Therapeutics of African pygmy [hedgehogs].; Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al. Formulary. In: [Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary] — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.732 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Backed by 5 published sources

· Heatley J. Hedgehogs. In: Mitchell MA, Tully TN Jr., [eds].; Johnson D. African pygmy hedgehogs. In: Meredith [ed].; Lightfoot T. Therapeutics of African pygmy [hedgehogs].; Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW, et al. Formulary. In: [Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary] — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.732 (2026-08-01).
· Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: [Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery] — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.770 (2026-08-01).
· Weese JS, Blondeau J, Boothe D, et al. International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bacterial urinary tract infections in dogs and cats. Vet J. 2019;247:8-25. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.02.008 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.100 (2026-08-01).
· Weese JS, Blondeau J, Boothe D, et al. International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bacterial urinary tract infections in dogs and cats. Vet J. 2019;247:8-25. ; Hillier A, Lloyd DH, Weese JS, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of canine superficial bacterial folliculitis. Vet Dermatol. 2014;25(3):163-e43. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.99 (2026-08-01).

Sample dosing (2 of 5 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 5 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	PO	12.5–25 mg/kg	q12h	Strong	Weese JS, Blondeau J, Boothe D, et al. International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bacterial urinary tract infections in dogs and cats. Vet J. 2019;247:8-25. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.02.008; Hillier A, Lloyd DH, Weese JS, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of canine superficial bacterial folliculitis. Vet Dermatol. 2014;25(3):163-e43. doi:10.1111/vde.12168 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.99 (2026-08-01).
Cat (Domestic)	PO	12.5–25 mg/kg	q12h	Strong

· Williams BH. Therapeutics in ferrets. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3(1):131-153.; Fox JG, Bell JA. Diseases of the genitourinary system. In: Fox JG, Marini RP, eds. Biology and Diseases of the Ferret. 3rd ed. Wiley Blackwell; 2014:335-361. doi:10.1002/9781118782699.ch15 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.100 (2026-08-01).

Weese JS, Blondeau J, Boothe D, et al. International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases (ISCAID) guidelines for the diagnosis and management of bacterial urinary tract infections in dogs and cats. Vet J. 2019;247:8-25. doi:10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.02.008 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.100 (2026-08-01).

Amoxicillin-Clavulanate

Drug Class

Routes

Indications

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Species with Amoxicillin-Clavulanate dosing data (5 dose rules)

Evidence levels across 5 dose rules

Backed by 5 published sources

Sample dosing (2 of 5 cited rules)

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Amoxicillin-Clavulanate

Drug Class

Routes

Indications

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Species with Amoxicillin-Clavulanate dosing data (5 dose rules)

Evidence levels across 5 dose rules

Backed by 5 published sources

Sample dosing (2 of 5 cited rules)

Upgrade for Full Details

Articles mentioning Amoxicillin-Clavulanate

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