Doxycycline hyclate is a semisynthetic derivative of oxytetracycline, another tetracycline antibiotic. Tetracyclines work by inhibiting protein synthesis in bacteria. Bacteria rely on protein production for essential cellular functions like growth and reproduction. When doxycycline hyclate binds to the bacterial ribosome (the protein-building machinery within the cell), it disrupts this process, hindering the bacteria’s ability to grow and multiply. This eventually leads to the death of the bacteria or halts their further growth, allowing the animal’s immune system to combat the infection. Doxycycline hyclate is bacteriostatic, meaning it primarily stops bacteria from multiplying. However, in high enough concentrations, it can also be bactericidal, meaning it directly kills bacteria. Its broad-spectrum activity makes it effective against a wide range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, common culprits in various animal infections.
