Table 4: Antimicrobials for Skin Infections in Dogs¹*

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First-tier empiric antimicrobials
Clindamycin	5.5–11 mg/kg PO q 12 hr
Cephalexin	22–30 mg/kg PO q 12 hr
Amoxicillin clavulanate	14–25 mg/kg PO q 12 hr
Trimethoprim-sulfadiazine/ sulfamethoxazole	15–30 mg/kg PO q 12 hr
First OR second tier
Cefpodoxime	5–10 mg/kg PO q 24 hr
Cefovecin	8 mg/kg SC q 14 days
Second tier ONLY with culture and susceptibility
Minocycline	5–10 mg/kg PO q 12 hr
Doxycycline	5–10 mg/kg PO q 12 hr
Enrofloxacin	5–20 mg/kg PO q 24 hr
Marbofloxacin	2.75–5.5 mg/kg PO q 24 hr
Pradofloxacin	3 mg/kg PO q 24 hr
Chloramphenicol	40–50 mg/kg PO q 8 hr
Rifampin	3–6 mg/kg PO q 24 hr²
Do NOT use for Staphylococcus spp. infections
Amoxicillin
Penicillin
Nitrofurantoin

PO, orally; SC, subcutaneously.

*For more information on antimicrobial stewardship, see the 2022 AAFP/AAHA Antimicrobial Stewardship Guidelines at aaha.org/ antimicrobials.

Hillier A, Lloyd DH, Weese JS, et al. Guidelines for the diagnosis and antimicrobial therapy of canine superficial bacterial folliculitis (Antimicrobial Guidelines Working Group of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases). Vet Dermatol. 2014;25:163–e43.
Harbour L, Schick A, Mount R, White A. Rifampicin treatment of canine multidrug-resistant meticillin-resistant staphylococcal pyoderma: A retrospective study of 51 cases. Vet Dermatol. 2022;33(5):384–91.

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Guidelines Contributors

Introduction

Figure 1: Diagnosing Allergic Skin Disease in the Canine Patient

Table 1: Antipruritic and Anti-inflammatory Medications for Dogs

Table 2: Acute Flare and Long-term Management Therapies in Dogs

Table 3: Oral Antihistamine Doses for Dogs

Figure 4: Assessing Diet Trial Results

Table 4: Antimicrobials for Skin Infections in Dogs

Table 5: Oral Antifungal Medication Doses for Dogs

Figure 5: Clinical Presentation of the Feline Patient

Figure 6: Diagnosing Allergic Skin Disease in the Feline Patient

Table 6: Antipruritic and Anti-inflammatory Medications for Cats

Table 7: Acute Flare and Long-term Management Therapies in Cats

Table 8: Oral Antihistamine Doses for Cats

Reformulated Topical Medications for Management of Allergic Otitis Externa

Figure 7: Flowchart of Technician Utilization for Allergic Skin Diseases

Figure 8: Client Communication Flow Chart for Treatment Plans

10 Key Messaging Points When Talking to Clients

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Developing the Guidelines

The 2023 AAHA Management of Allergic Skin Diseases in Dogs and Cats Guidelines are generously supported by Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Merck Animal Health, and Zoetis.