What is Clindamycin Oral Rinse used for?

Clindamycin Oral Rinse is indicated for: Dental infections, osteomyelitis, stomatitis.

Which species have cited Clindamycin Oral Rinse dosing data?

Clindamycin Oral Rinse dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 2 species: Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic).

Is Clindamycin Oral Rinse a controlled substance?

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

Clindamycin Oral Rinse

US brand names:Antirobe Aquadrops

Calculate dosage

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

Rabbit: Oral lincosamides cause fatal dysbiosis in rabbitsSame mechanism as oral beta-lactams — selective destruction of gram-positive hindgut flora. Never administer oral clindamycin or lincomycin to rabbits.
Chinchilla: Oral lincosamides cause fatal dysbiosis in chinchillasClindamycin and lincomycin destroy gram-positive hindgut flora and precipitate fatal Clostridium enterotoxemia in chinchillas. Never administer.
Hamster: Oral lincosamides cause fatal enterocolitis in hamstersClindamycin and lincomycin are among the antibiotics that induce fatal Clostridium difficile enterocolitis in hamsters. Never administer.
Degu: Oral lincosamides risk fatal dysbiosis in degusExtrapolated from chinchillas and guinea pigs (shared caviomorph hindgut physiology): oral clindamycin/lincomycin should be treated as contraindicated in degus.

Guinea Pig: Oral lincosamides cause fatal dysbiosis in guinea pigsClindamycin and lincomycin cause the same fatal Clostridium enterotoxemia in guinea pigs as oral beta-lactams. Never administer.

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Clindamycin Oral Rinse is dosed at 5.5–11 mg/kg PO q12h in dogs, per ANTIROBE - Clindamycin Hydrochloride Capsules and Oral Solution [US Product Label for Dogs and Cats]. Zoetis Inc.; 2017. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a2224602-6f04-4b83-968a-8c193230998f — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.108 (2026-08-01).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Dental

Routes

Indications

Dental infectionsosteomyelitisstomatitis

Mechanism of Action

Lincosamide antibiotic with excellent bone and dental tissue penetration. Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis at 50S ribosomal subunit.

Side effects & warnings

GI upset possible. Concentrates in bone, making it ideal for dental/osteomyelitis infections. Avoid in rabbits and rodents (fatal enterocolitis).

Species with Clindamycin Oral Rinse dosing data (2 dose rules)

Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)

Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Strong×2

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by a published source

· ANTIROBE - Clindamycin Hydrochloride Capsules and Oral Solution [US Product Label for Dogs and Cats]. Zoetis Inc.; 2017. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a2224602-6f04-4b83-968a-8c193230998f — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.108 (2026-08-01).

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 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	5.5–11 mg/kg	q12h	Strong	ANTIROBE - Clindamycin Hydrochloride Capsules and Oral Solution [US Product Label for Dogs and Cats]. Zoetis Inc.; 2017. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a2224602-6f04-4b83-968a-8c193230998f — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.108 (2026-08-01).
Cat (Domestic)	PO	5.5–11 mg/kg	q12h	Strong	ANTIROBE - Clindamycin Hydrochloride Capsules and Oral Solution [US Product Label for Dogs and Cats]. Zoetis Inc.; 2017. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=a2224602-6f04-4b83-968a-8c193230998f — Verified against BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th Ed, Part A, p.108 (2026-08-01).

Upgrade for Full Details

Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.

View Plans