is an antibiotic used for the treatment of skin infections (wounds and abscesses) in dogs

: KNOW THE FACTSBe sure to read this booklet before your dogreceives Simplicef ®.You should also review it each time your dog receives a prescriptionfor this treatment.

This booklet is only a summary. It does not replace what your veterinarian has toldyou.To learn more about Simplicef ®, talk to your veterinarian.

: WHAT IS SIMPLICEF®? Simplicef ® is an antibiotic belonging to the cephalosporin family.Antibiotics,also known as antimicrobials, are used to treat infections caused by bacteria.They do not work against viruses.

Simplicef ® has been proven to be effectiveagainst some skin infections (wounds and abscesses) in dogs, caused by specifictypes of bacteria.

: HOW DOES SIMPLICEF® WORK?There are many kinds of bacteria. Some of them cause infections of the skin like ear infections, raw bleeding areas called “hot spots,” wounds, and pus-filled abscesses.

There are also many kinds of antibiotics. Eachone has a special way of fighting bacteria.Some stop bacteria from growing so the animal’s immune system can kill it, whileothers kill the bacteria directly. Either way,antibiotics work with your pet’s body

to clear the infection. Each antibiotic worksonly against certain bacteria. It may not workagainst others.To treat your pet’s infection,you need the right kind of antibiotic.

Simplicef kills susceptible bacteria directly.

: WHEN SHOULD SIMPLICEF®

BE USED IN DOGS?Sometimes dogs get infections on the surfaceof their skin, in wounds, or in cuts. Infectionson the skin may cause severe pain, loss of hair, itching, and/or a bad odor. In additionto the pain, if the infection is in a wound,it might slow the healing. If the infectedwound is on a leg, you may see your petstart to limp. Simplicef ® is used to treatmany of these skin infections (wounds and abscesses) in dogs caused by specifictypes of bacteria.

: HOW DO VETERINARIANS KNOWWHICH ANTIBIOTIC TO USE?Veterinarians make this choice based on what they see and know about your pet’s health.This choice may be based on many things, such as:• Examination of your pet• The body part of your pet that is affected• The kind of bacteria that is causing

the infection• How hard it is for you to give your

pet an antibiotic

(cefpodoxime proxetil)SIMPLICEF®:

Sometimes your veterinarian may want to take a sample of bacteria from the infection for a culture and sensitivity test.Your veterinarian will recommend this test to help him or her decide which antibiotic to use.The test can be very useful to identify hard-to-treat infections.

: WILL SIMPLICEF® HELP MY PET?Most pets given this treatment will respondwell. Most signs of the infection start to go away within three days. If they do not,your pet may:• Have more than one kind

of bacterial infection • Have an infection caused by something

other than bacteria• Be stressed or have other diseases that

weaken the body’s ability to help fight off the infection

• Need a different antibiotic, because the bacteria causing the infection is not a bacteria that Simplicef ® works against

If your pet doesn’t seem to be getting better,contact your veterinarian.Your veterinarianmay do some extra tests.The kind of antibiotic your pet is taking may also be changed.

: IS THERE ANY FOLLOW-UPOR MONITORING I SHOULD DO?You may be asked to bring your pet back at some point during or after treatment.This will depend on:• What kind of infection your pet has• How sick your pet is• If your pet had this infection before

Be sure to follow your veterinarian’s advice.Having your pet checked again may improveits chances of getting well. If you do notfollow your veterinarian’s recommendationfor a recheck it may make the infectionharder to treat and more costly.

: HOW IS SIMPLICEF® GIVEN TO MY PET? A veterinarian must prescribe Simplicef ®.It should not be available to you in anyother way. Simplicef ® is available as a tablet.

At home, you can give the Simplicef ® pillsto your pet by mouth.Your veterinarian will tell you how and when to do this.Simplicef ® is given once a day, with or without food.

Always follow the directions and give this treatment the right way.This can helpyour pet get better more quickly and stayhealthy longer. If you do not understand the directions, call your veterinarian.

: HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO GIVE SIMPLICEF® TO MY PET?You should give the Simplicef ® for as longas your veterinarian told you to give it.

Some pet owners are tempted to stop treatment when their pet is feeling better.This is not a good idea and can be veryharmful in the long run. It should be doneonly if your veterinarian says so. Eventhough your pet may seem better, the infection may still be there. So if you stoptreating your pet too soon, the infection can come back. It can also be much harderto control.

Shortening the use of these treatments or skipping doses can lead to the growth of resistant bacteria.This kind of bacteriamay be bad for your pet as well as otherpets and people. So be sure to give all of the treatment exactly as your veterinarian recommended.

If you have trouble giving the treatment to your pet, ask your veterinarian for help.

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: DOES SIMPLICEF® HAVE SIDE EFFECTS?Simplicef ® is generally well tolerated,however side effects have been reported.They may include vomiting, diarrhea,and/or a decrease in appetite. If you spotany of these side effects, stop the medicine.Be sure to call your veterinarian.

Some pets may be allergic to this kind of medicine. Symptoms of allergic reactionsmay include swelling of the face, itchy skin,hives, or breathing problems.These problemscan sometimes happen very quickly and may be serious. If you think your pet is having a reaction to the medicine, callyour veterinarian right away.These kinds of problems must be treated quickly.

High doses of this type of antibiotic calledcephalosporins may cause changes in theblood cells, especially white blood cells.Thismay cause an increased chance of gettinganother infection, weakness or bleedingproblems. Call your veterinarian if younotice any of these symptoms.

Call your veterinarian if you notice anychanges in your pet while taking Simplicef ®.

: SHOULD SOME DOGS NOTGET SIMPLICEF®

Simplicef ® should not be given to dogs that are allergic to:• cefpodoxime (Simplicef)• penicillins• other cephalosporins

Talk to your veterinarian if you are unsureabout your dog’s history with these kinds of medicines.

: WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUTHANDLING SIMPLICEF®

Antibiotics, including penicillins andcephalosporins (such as Simplicef ®) can cause allergic reactions in some people, especially those who have had previous allergic reactions to them.To lower this risk, avoid direct contact of the product with your skin.Also avoidcontact with your mouth, throat, or nose.

: WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT SIMPLICEF® ?Be sure to tell your veterinarian if your dogis pregnant or nursing, or if you are planningon breeding your dog. Simplicef ® has not been tested in dogs that are pregnant or breeding, or in nursing puppies.

Occasionally, as with other cephalosporins,Simplicef ® may cause a positive directCoomb’s test.Talk to your veterinarian to learn more.

: HOW SHOULD SIMPLICEF®

BE STORED?Simplicef ® should be stored at room temperature. Be sure to replace the capsecurely after each opening.

: NOTE:• Simplicef ® is for dogs only• Simplicef ® must be prescribed

by a veterinarian• Keep out of reach of children

A learning tool brought to you by ©2006,Pfizer Animal Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.

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