Read between the lines some more: Limiting the expiration date is an easily defensible way to encourage more drug sales. Generally, an antibiotic injection is fast acting, which means it might help your pet feel better soon after she receives the shot. Yes and no. The shelf life once reconstituted is real. Indiscriminate use of any antibiotic can lead to resistant bacterial populations, which make treating infections more difficult. How long? Copyright 2023 Upgrade Your Cat | UpgradeYourCat.com | As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Cats are prone to contracting bacterial, fungal or viral diseases that left untreated can lead to significant health complications. -Now crying in pain as he licks his privates. Then, put one-fifth in the cats food. The other argument is that unless extractions are being performed which requires tissue healing, or unless a pet has heavy dental disease with concern for pre-existing infection, that antibiotic use during or following a dental cleaning is not needed and would only contribute to antibiotic resistance. In that case, you can skip the missed dose. .medication-table .table-row .item{ Dr. Vanderhoof lives in the Northern Virginia area with his family, including 3 cats. Any kind of out of pocket medical care is going to be expensive and helps to have some funds set aside for emergencies. If you miss a dose, give it to your cat unless it's almost time for the next dose. Yes, in an ideal and safe dose Amoxicillin is safe for your cat. The labelled dosage of Clavamox for UTI in cats is 62.5 mg per cat twice daily for 10-14 days. One argument is that during the process of cleaning, bacteria in the mouth may enter the bloodstream which leads to risk of endocardiosis on heart valves, and showering the kidneys and other vital organs with bacteria, so antibiotics should always be used regardless of dental disease severity. Medication Type: @media screen and (max-width:480px) { The consequences to using insulin that is bad can be dangerous. The reason is that it will lose its potency over time, and it may even cause your symptoms to worsen. You might need to repeat blood tests to check for this type of disease process. .medication-table h5{ Always make sure to give an antibiotic prescribed by your vet for the full number of days indicated, even if your kitty looks like hes feeling better. However, overdosing or giving it incorrectly is toxic for the felines. Before you just toss them in the trash, refer to the. (2007). When eliminated, it is processed mainly by the kidneys. Form: As a bactericidal antibiotic, amoxicillin works to kill bacteria associated with upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and more. Humans can get parasitic worms, such as feline tapeworm, if infected fleas are swallowed. I always save the last couple doses whenever I am prescribed them. color: #fcb040!important; Your veterinarian will likely look for eye or nasal discharge. WebThe easiest way to give your cat liquid medication is to mix it in with some canned food. Yes and no. Because Amoxicillin is only effective for very specific strains of bacteria only a veterinarian would know which antibiotic to prescribe for your cat for its specific affliction. As for the dosage of amoxicillin for cats, it will really depend on various factors which include: These issues affect the dosage as the veterinarian needs to prescribe an amount which is effective and safe. Thank you so much doctor for your time and reading my problem please help me and tell me what to do and what dose and how many times a day ( Since I cant go to a vet because there is no one near me unless If I drove for 3 hours and I cant) + please excuse my bad English (Im not a native speaker) thank you so so much again. Copyright 1999 - 2023. This article is purely informative. It is administered orally and reaches its maximum plasma concentration (i.e. .medication-table h2{ Even if your kitty did have a UTI, the amoxicillin you have would not be appropriate to give. Always remember you can go to another veterinarian for a second opinion. Having a 6 month old kitten that is less than 2 pounds is certainly something to be concerned about but unfortunately there really could be a number of things contributing to your little kittens condition. The reason is that it will lose its potency over time, and it may even cause your symptoms to worsen. We just got our cat,Willy, back from the vet for a dental cleaning. While a UTI may be more likely in a female cat, we can also see conditions like bladder stones, and stress-related urinary conditions like idiopathic cystitis, which arent treated with antibiotics. So what do I recommend YOU to do? Reasons to Honor Veterinary Drug Expiration Dates. It's wrong! Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid may cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. Dont worry, Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic has the scoop on expiration dates on veterinary drugs, so that you can stay on task with your decluttering resolutions. The answer is: No, not without the express consent and direction of your veterinarian. These are also often treatable with amoxicillin. This is understandable. If your cat spends time outside or around other cats, she might get into a fight. Sometimes, though rarely, changes can take place that cause the medication to be harmful to your pet. This antibiotic has been around for a long time and is very effective against many types of bacteria. Using a medication that is not as potent as intended could result in the medication being ineffective. Kittens can also have certain viral infections that are routinely tested for that can contribute to poor growth and health problems. I would suggest seeing if your vet could at least consult with you by phone to discuss these signs and concerns more and they may be able to provide you with accurate dosing if appropriate. My vet cant physically see him 2 weeks because of the holidays. All antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and amoxicillin is no exception. Amoxicillin is a gram-positive antibiotic medicine that helps your cat fight against certain bacterial infections such as UTI and bladder infections, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal infections, and skin-related issues in felines. This is because they are more likely to get into fights with other cats or injure themselves on hazardous material leading to an infected wound. As far as fasting goes, many vets would agree its a standard of care to have patients fasted for 12 hours prior to any anesthetic procedure. This vet did advise us to do Willys 12 hour fast. There are liquid medications (such as insulin) that are made in smaller vials so if you are using small quantities in a month consider asking the pharmacist if it is available in smaller portions (which are generally less expensive) to minimize waste. .cliverse-medication-title{ Because amoxicillin-clavulanate, commonly known as the brand Clavamox, has a broader spectrum of action against some bacteria, it is more commonly used than regular amoxicillin, especially for cats. The shelf life once reconstituted is real. Reading this article until the end will solve all your queries about using this antibiotic drug for your kitty. It ended up saving the lives of many soldiers in World War II after Fleming discovered that the mold killed certain bacterial cultures. The answer is: No, not without the express consent and direction of your veterinarian. So Ive guessed since there is pus I should give him antibiotic? Get new medication. They can come as tablets, in liquid form, drops, cream or an injection. Other infectious agents are not harmed by this medication, such as viruses and fungi. There is also tetracycline ointment for cats. Question 2: We were given liquid antibiotics to administer twice a day orally and three pain medication pills to administer once a day for three days. The pain medication is Onsior. Interestingly, the labeled dosage for cats for amoxicillin calls for giving it just once a day. The educational cat health content on Cats.com is written by or reviewed by our team of veterinary experts to ensure that its in line with the latest evidence-based veterinary information and health guidelines. Hello Loreen, thank you for commenting! Image from Instagram:@petdiseasealerts It would be prudent not to give your dog any human amoxicillin. The answer is: No, not without the express consent and direction of your veterinarian. Make sure to follow your veterinarians prescription to avoid health complications. In this case, we may think giving amoxicillin to the cat will be beneficial. .medication-table .table-row{ Animal adoption advocate. Giving amoxicillin to your kitty around the time of a meal can help to offset these possible effects. -My mom said, she spotted him possibly dripping Your veterinarian may have a preference of which form to use, or may leave the dosage form up to you depending on which will be easier to administer. Cats can be given amoxicillin. Some veterinarians may make this a longer interval, and others may even make lab work optional. It also belongs to a group of antibiotics known as aminopenicillins and their effect is bactericidal, killing a large range of bacteria, but not all of them. However, if there is no color or odor change and it is a few days beyond that date it is probably okay. The side effects of amoxicillin are usually mild and infrequent, involving gastrointestinal upset like vomiting and diarrhea. But Im also concerned that treating with an antibiotic alone could be missing something more important thats going on here. display: inline-block; Because people probably store animal medications even more carelessly than their own, and 2. Dosage Chart by Weight, Dexamethasone Injection for Cats Dosage Chart & Uses, Safe Gabapentin For Cats Dosage Chart | Dose Calculator, Pyrantel Pamoate Dosage for cats Safe Dose Chart, Why Do Cats Tails Puff Up When Happy? If a UTI is present, they will usually treat with an effective antibiotic. Fresh Breath. The same basic effects of the drug work on cats and can be used to treat a wide variety of ailments, which we detail below. Answer: Only if Approved by Your Vet Amoxicillin specifically targets certain strains of bacteria and therefore is not prescribed for all kinds of infections. Essentially the same antibiotics are effective in cats and in humans, however always in different concentrations and dosages. In cats, amoxicillin treatments will usually last between five and seven days, although they can be more prolonged depending on the extent of the infection. Keeping lids sealed to prevent air exposure and moisture contamination is important, as well. The Pros of Antibiotic Injections for Cats. With Amoxicillin taking expired ones would just mean they might not work, other antibiotics, like the tetracyclines can actually cause kidney damage if they are old. Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic Staff, Sluggish Pet? They look for white blood cells and bacteria in her urine. Phone: (704)3344684 line-height: 50px; Lynnwood, WA 98037, Email It would be much too high a dose and because of how it kills bacteria and works in the body, must be given at least twice a day for several days at least. No matter whether it is given orally or topically, tetracycline destroys bacterial infections. border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; How much discomfort occurs during a regular dental cleaning when no tooth extraction has occurred is also debated. WebThe easiest way to give your cat liquid medication is to mix it in with some canned food. Over time, any substance undergoes chemical changes simply due to environmental exposure. These are usually bacterial infections within the bladder or kidneys. Sometimes I think the pharmacy industry protests too much on their own behalf. All she does is sleep. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Thank god his appetite is very good and he eats everything so the infection is not affecting his eating. Fleming discovered penicillin growing as a mold in Fleming's laboratory. Since every cat is an individual, each cat will respond differently to amoxicillin. Amoxicillin tends to be more effective than penicillin because it lasts longer. Most veterinarians, physicians and pharmacists well tell you to honor the expiration date on the package. So why make them come in again for a "fresh" round? .cliverse-medication-title{ Your veterinarian will often collect a sample of her urine. Your email address will not be published. Please help me. However, its really important to make sure it is only used when dispensed or prescribed by a veterinarian, and that all prescribing instructions are followed. The result is that antibiotics may not be effective in the future when they are really needed. Not the original writer, but While amoxicillin would likely be prescribed to a cat in this condition, you will have to get a vets approval to use the antibiotic. Precautions Some, like amoxicillin, are bactericidal, which means they kill the bacteria. If not 50mg available, open the 250 mg capsule and divide it into fifths. WebIt is unusual for a cat to have high blood pressure in isolation from something like chronic kidney disease. : Amoxicillin for cats, also known as aminopenicillin, is a well-known antibiotic medication mainly used to treat bacterial infections such as urinary tract, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal infections, and skin issues, such as acute moist dermatitis and pyoderma in felines. Amoxicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic, For more information, or to ask about an expired veterinary medication, please call us. Dr. Vanderhoof is also a copywriter specializing in the animal health field and founder of Paramount Animal Health Writing Solutions, which can be found at www.animalhealthcopywriter.com. Developed for humans to take, antibiotics are used in most species of animals. Human amoxicillin dosages are typically inappropriate to use in cats as they are much too high and more likely to lead to unwanted side effects. Shes about 10lbs and I found a single capsule amoxicillin dosage of 500mg, is that safe to give her and will it be enough if I only giver her one? The same basic effects of the drug work on cats and can be used to treat a wide variety of ailments, which we detail below. The blood work-up was normal. Then, put one-fifth in the cats food. Your veterinarian can better decide the safe dose of Amoxicillin for your feline after observing the severity of the illness and your cat physically. Share Improve this answer Follow answered Apr 22, 2017 at 17:55 Harry V. 5,989 2 16 35 WebHowever, a lot of cats may be allergic to penicillin and can develop side effects: Chronic diarrhea. Follow the recommendations on the bottle for best results regarding the shelf life. Give double dose for first dose. In other words, if your kitty is doing well at a prescribed dose, an accidental extra dose or overdose would not cause these effects. Most veterinarians treat for at least seven to ten days. Tablet, Liquid Amoxicillin is an antibiotic widely used in human medicine. As far as the anti-inflammatories for 3 days goes, there may be no right or wrong answer there. Yes, in an ideal and safe dose Amoxicillin is safe for your cat. Keep in mind that nail injuries can take a few weeks to fully heal as the newer nail grows out. .medication-table a{ Independence America Holdings Corp. All Rights Reserved. Side effects of amoxicillin in cats are typically mild and infrequent but when they do occur, most often include digestive upset, like vomiting, diarrhea, and a decrease in appetite. Use of Antibiotics Anyhow, online says Cats: The recommended dosage is 50 mg (510 mg/lb) once a day. The large volume of urine output and the increased need to drink are not uniquely associated with a UTI but we can see these changes with other metabolic or endocrine diseases, like kidney disease, diabetes, etc. If stomach upset occurs, try giving the medication with food. I always encourage folks to reach out to their own veterinarian if there are specific questions about the rationale for certain testing, treatments, or care. Additionally, and perhaps surprisingly, the reason you can purchase fish amoxicillin over the counter is that it is not regulated by the FDA at all. The ideal and safe dosage of Amoxicillin tablet for cats is 5-10 mg/lb or 10-15 mg/kg, and liquid oral suspension is 2-9 ml/lb every 12-24 hours. When to Call an Emergency Vet, 4 Ways You Can Help Animals in Your Community. Giving amoxicillin to your kitty around the time of a meal can help to offset these possible effects. It is also one of the most commonly used antibiotics in the world. While it may not directly cause harm, using an expired drug may have some negative effects including: Delay in appropriate treatment Subpar management of the problem at hand OK, so I'll concede to the second point. But only your vet can properly diagnose an infection and its root cause and thereby prescribe the right kind of antibiotic and the right dose.