Can Rats Take Clindamycin?
WouterThis drug is commonly used to treat diarrhea in rats, but some precautions must be taken to prevent the drug from being toxic. Clindamycin is not suitable for guinea pigs, horses, or chinchillas. In addition, clindamycin is not recommended for pregnant or nursing rats. It should also not be given to rats with hepatic disease or disorders. The drug should also be discontinued immediately in cases of diarrhea.
Clindamycin is metabolized in the liver and is excreted in the urine. It is also distributed in breast milk, so it should be avoided in nursing animals. In humans, clindamycin is effective in treating bone and joint infections, wound infections, abscesses, and respiratory infections. Clinical trials have shown that clindamycin crosses the placenta, but is not toxic to the unborn fetus.
This drug is a lincosaminide antimicrobial, which inhibits bacterial protein synthesis through binding to the 5OS ribosomal subunit. In vitro studies have shown that the drug inhibits the production of bile acids. Moreover, clindamycin can modify the formation of deoxycholic acid when given together with lactobacilli-streptococci (LS), a type of bacteria that deconjugates bile acids.
Clinical trials of clindamycin in mice have found that a daily dosage of 600 mg/kg of body weight has positive effects on the immune system. The drug has similar effects to cyclosporine and is well tolerated in rats and dogs. However, it is not recommended for use in children with a history of hypersensitivity to it.
