Clavamox for Dogs: Dosage, How Long to Give It & Side Effects
Last reviewed: September 2026
Keep going 48 hours past the last symptom
Clavamox is amoxicillin plus clavulanate, used mostly for skin, wound and urinary infections in dogs. The label has two numbers worth knowing: how long to continue after things look better, and when to conclude it is not working.
What Clavamox Is
Clavamox pairs amoxicillin with clavulanate potassium. That second ingredient is the point: many bacteria produce an enzyme that destroys plain amoxicillin, and clavulanate blocks it. So the combination reaches organisms amoxicillin alone cannot. It is sold generically as Clavacillin and Betacillin Clav, among others, at the same dose.
Dose and Course Length
The dose is straightforward — 6.25 mg per pound, twice daily. The course length is where it gets condition-specific.
| Infection | Course | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Skin & soft tissue, abscesses, wounds | 5–7 days | or 48 hours after signs resolve |
| Superficial pyoderma | 5–7 days | or 48 hours after signs resolve |
| Periodontal infection | 5–7 days | or 48 hours after signs resolve |
| Deep pyoderma | up to 21 days | longer courses are expected here |
| Urinary tract infection (cystitis) | as directed | E. coli is the usual target |
The Two Rules Owners Break
Stopping too early. A hot spot that looks clean on day four is not a finished infection. The label says continue for 48 hours after all signs have subsided, and not less than 5 to 7 days overall for most infections. Stopping when it looks better leaves behind the least susceptible bacteria — which is exactly how the next infection becomes harder to treat.
Carrying on too long when it is not working. The label is unusually specific here: if there is no response after 5 days, treatment should stop and the case be reassessed. Five days of no improvement usually means the bacteria are not susceptible or the problem is not primarily bacterial — an allergy, a parasite, or something needing a culture. That is a phone call, not a second week.
Track your dog's medications and recoverySide Effects
Most dogs tolerate it well. The usual complaints are digestive — reduced appetite, vomiting, loose stool — and giving it with food helps. Diarrhoea during an antibiotic course is common and usually settles, but see dog diarrhoea treatment if it is severe or persists. True allergic reactions (facial swelling, hives, difficulty breathing) are uncommon and need same-day veterinary attention. Tell your vet if your dog has ever reacted to a penicillin-type antibiotic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Clavamox dosage for dogs?
The labelled dose is 6.25 mg per pound of body weight, given twice daily. Your vet selects the tablet size or the drops formulation to match. Maximum treatment should not exceed 30 days.
How long should a dog take Clavamox?
It depends on the infection. Skin and soft tissue infections, abscesses, wounds, superficial pyoderma and periodontal infections are treated for 5 to 7 days, or for 48 hours after all signs have subsided - whichever is longer. Deep pyoderma may need up to 21 days. The maximum course is 30 days.
What if Clavamox is not working after a few days?
The label sets a clear checkpoint: if there is no response after 5 days of treatment, the drug should be stopped and the case reassessed. That usually means the bacteria are not susceptible, or the problem is not primarily bacterial. Five days without improvement is a reason to call your vet rather than to keep going and hope.
Can I stop Clavamox when my dog seems better?
No. The label says to continue for 48 hours after all signs have subsided, and not less than 5 to 7 days in total for most infections. Stopping at the point the skin looks clear leaves the least susceptible bacteria behind, which is how recurrent and resistant infections start.
Is Clavamox the same as amoxicillin?
Not quite. Clavamox is amoxicillin combined with clavulanate potassium. The clavulanate blocks an enzyme some bacteria use to destroy plain amoxicillin, so the combination works against organisms that amoxicillin alone cannot touch. Generic versions are sold as Clavacillin and Betacillin Clav among others.