Effects of amoxicillin repeated administration on the hemogram and biogram of sheep

Background: The object of the present study was to investigate the possible alterations in hematological and biochemical parameters of sheep that may occur following intramuscular injection of amoxicillin. Methods: Amoxicillin was injected to 10 sheep at a dosage regimen of 7 mg/kg of body weight for 5 successive days. Two types of blood samples (with and without ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as an anticoagulant) were collected from the jugular vein before and after the antibiotic course. Results: Amoxicillin significantly (p < 0.001) increased total leukocyte count and (p < 0.05) absolute eosinophilic count when compared with those of the control samples. Aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and cholesterol, were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the corresponding control values. In addition, amoxicillin significantly (p < 0.05) increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine but decreased phosphorus level when compared with those of prior-administration samples. Conclusions: These data may suggest that although the side changes caused by amoxicillin are minor in sheep, yet the liver and kidney functions should be monitored during its usage in therapy and it should be used with care for treatment of sheep with renal and/or hepatic impairments; its dosage regimen should be adjusted to avoid its hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects.