Kesium

Kesium is available as chewable tablets, suitable for oral administration to dogs. Kesium 625 mg chewable tablets are available in packs of 6 tablets.

Thanks to its chewable tablet formulation, Kesium ensures greater treatment compliance, a particularly important aspect in long-term antimicrobial treatments, where strict adherence to doses and administration intervals has a decisive impact on treatment success and on reducing the risk of bacterial resistance.

One Kesium 625 mg chewable tablet contains:

• Amoxicillin (as amoxicillin trihydrate) – 500 mg;
• Clavulanic acid (as potassium clavulanate) – 125 mg.

Kesium 625 mg for dogs is indicated as the drug of choice for the treatment of susceptible bacterial infections in dogs, particularly in the following clinical situations:

• Skin infections associated with Staphylococcus spp.;
• Urinary tract infections caused by Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis;
• Respiratory tract infections associated with Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp. and Pasteurella spp.;
• Gastrointestinal tract infections caused by Escherichia coli;
• Infections of the oral cavity and oral mucosa associated with Pasteurella spp., Streptococcus spp. and Escherichia coli.

Kesium should be used in accordance with the veterinary surgeon’s recommendations, ideally following a clinical assessment and, where possible, after testing for bacterial susceptibility.

The recommended dose for dogs is 1 tablet of Kesium 625 mg per 50 kg of body weight, administered every 12 hours. The tablets can be administered directly or mixed with food, thanks to their chewable consistency.

The duration of treatment varies depending on the type and severity of the infection, but it is generally recommended to continue administration for a few days after clinical symptoms have subsided.

Administration of the antibiotic Kesium for dogs is contraindicated:

• in animals with known hypersensitivity to penicillin or other β-lactam antibiotics;
• in animals with severe renal failure, accompanied by anuria or oliguria;
• in gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits and chinchillas;
• in horses and ruminants.

Administration to species other than the target species is strictly prohibited due to the high risk of serious adverse reactions.

Kesium must be used with caution in dogs with mild to moderate kidney disease, as careful monitoring of clinical condition is necessary. Strict adherence to dosages and administration intervals is essential to prevent the development of antimicrobial resistance. 

Furthermore, prolonged or repeated use should only be carried out under veterinary supervision.

Adverse reactions are generally rare and mild, but may include:

• transient gastrointestinal disturbances (vomiting, diarrhoea);
• cutaneous allergic reactions, particularly in animals sensitive to penicillins;
• very rarely, systemic hypersensitivity reactions.

In the event of severe reactions, discontinue treatment and consult a vet immediately.

The antibiotic Kesium must not be administered concurrently with bacteriostatic antibiotics that may antagonise the effect of β-lactams. 

Administration of the antibiotic Kesium with food is permitted and even recommended to reduce the risk of gastrointestinal irritation and improve treatment compliance.

In the event of accidental overdose, pronounced digestive symptoms may occur. Treatment is symptomatic and supportive, and veterinary assessment is required, particularly in animals with pre-existing renal disease.

Kesium for dogs must be stored at temperatures below 25 °C, in the original packaging. Any unused half-tablet must be returned to the blister pack to protect it from moisture and light. The medicine must be kept out of the reach of children and animals.

• PubMed, Evaluation of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of amoxicillin against Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in dogs
• MDPI, Pharmacodynamic profile of amoxicillin: targeting the multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius in canine clinical isolates 
• Wiley Online Library, Quality of oral amoxicillin/clavulanic acid formulations intended for veterinary use in the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Serbia and Thailand
• PubMed, Effect of amoxicillin-clavulanic acid on clinical scores, the gut microbiome and amoxicillin-resistant Escherichia coli in dogs with acute uncomplicated diarrhoea