This commentary allows vets to say what they think and give you, the pet owner, the opportunity to consider another view. Any potential risks of those decisions should always typically be discussed. Janay, you should only administer amoxicillin under the supervision of a veterinarian. Cats that suffer from a serious condition will have weaker immune systems and will therefore be more likely to contract bacterial and other infections. Can While we should always take the prescribed dosage, some people either do not or for whatever reason have some extra in their medicine cabinet. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that is related to penicillin. The honest answer isprobably most oral pill or capsule medications are good for longer than their expiration dates. You might be wondering if Fluffy can take amoxicillin, and, unless she's allergic, she can. Hi Jennifer, thanks for your question. Therefore it is a common mistake to search for information on the dose of amoxicillin required for a cat and then administer it to them straightaway, because:. While there are many medicines suitable for human use which are unsuitable for cats, amoxicillin is not one of them. If your cat spends time outside or around other cats, she might get into a fight. The liquid amoxicillin is generally at a concentration of 100 milligrams per milliliter. You might need to repeat blood tests to check for this type of disease process. Also, like I said, last years vet didnt have us do a 12 hr fast for Willys dental cleaning. Antibiotics are fairly common in the average household, so it may be the case that you have some Amoxicillin available. Potent Immunity. One of the main examples is that misuse of antibiotics will increase bacterial resistance. Antibiotics Lack of appetite and refusal to eat. Can I Give my Cat Antibiotics Cats are prone to contracting bacterial, fungal or viral diseases that left untreated can lead to significant health complications. Incorrectly giving any medicine to your pet will harm more than benefit. Some unopened medications can chemically be stable for at least 1 year beyond the expiration. Fish Mox For Cats For more information, or to ask about an expired veterinary medication, please call us. Amoxicillin That is the safest way to ensure that the medication is stable. Newborn kittens are susceptible to antibiotics. Common Veterinary Antibiotics Good is That 'Expired' Drug in Your Pet 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. This last is the part that can be hard to determine with many products. Cat sized doses can be bought at pet supply stores. It is often reconstituted with water at your vets practice when you receive it. Amoxicillin comes in a liquid suspension, tablet, and capsule forms. Here an important thing to be noted is that there are many varieties of antibiotics Amoxicillin available, so your veterinarian can better decide which one will be safe for your kitty. The American Veterinary Medical Association, mandates that veterinary drug expiration dates be provided on all dispensed medications when appropriate. Always consult your veterinarian and if needed they will prescribe a special formulation designed for your cat, with the appropriate dosage and concentration of Amoxicillin suited for your cats weight, age and sex. As you can see, it is vital we pay attention to the directives of the veterinarian. However, it is possible some digestive disturbances might arise such as diarrhea and vomiting or even appetite loss. Probiotics for Cats | 9 Reasons Explained, Maine Coon Breeders Nova Scotia | Kittens & Cats for Sale. Amoxicillin I dont want my cat to develop urosepsis. But blood tests only reveal evidence of kidney failure in pets once 72% or more of the kidneys have been lost. So what do I recommend YOU to do? } shes 8 years old and has been healthy until recently (blood in urine). Cats can be given amoxicillin. If your veterinarian doesn't have it in stock, they may write a prescription. Liquid and other mixed prescriptions should be discarded after two weeks. Please rush him to vet or hospital, as uric acid crystals block the urethra (which will kill your cat within a few days). Some veterinarians may make this a longer interval, and others may even make lab work optional. That's my take, anyway. This is a problem in both human and veterinary medicine. Praziquantel will kill them with one dose. Any kind of out of pocket medical care is going to be expensive and helps to have some funds set aside for emergencies. 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. Amoxicillin interacts with some other drugs which may be given to cats. Amoxicillin and Augmentin (Clavamox) are my 1st go to antibiotic. 2023 Cliverse Media Ltd. Be the first to get our latest updates, insider videos, cat health resources, and more. Hope I did the right thing. A large and important part of the immune system is located in the gut. Amoxicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic, Your vet can run a stool sample to help make sure none have been missed. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Cats should never be given Amoxicillin prescribed for human use, however convenient it may be for pet owners. Then, put one-fifth in the cats food. Obviously for very small or very large cats this dose needs to be adjusted at a veterinarian's recommendation. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. @media screen and (max-width:480px) { Amoxicillin (2007). However, if your furry friend is the type that will eat everything in the bowl but the tablet and leave it at the bottom, you may need to consider liquid if you are not adept at administering a pill directly into your cats mouth for her to swallow it. Make sure to keep all the medicine away from the children and your pet reach. Not active at all. .medication-table .table-row{ This can delay appropriate treatment, allowing for a condition to worsen in the interim, potentially putting the pet at risk. } Some last a very long time, up to several years. Can I Give my Cat Antibiotics Answer: Only if Approved by Your Vet Amoxicillin specifically targets certain strains of bacteria and therefore is not prescribed for all kinds of infections. .medication-table .table-row .item{ Amoxicillin is effective against members of both of these categories. As with all medications, it is important to follow all the labeled directions. Amoxicillin is often given to cats with outside access. By that, I assume youre referring to intestinal worms like roundworms, hookworms, or tapeworms, which these kitties could certainly have. Others, like the Atopica for Cats liquid that we often prescribe, last only a few months. They will also listen to their chest for signs of pneumonia. - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects, Metoclopramide for Cats - Dosage, Uses and Side Effects, Contraindications of amoxicillin for cats, Doxycycline for Cats - Dosage, Uses and Side Effects, Cephalexin for Cats - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects, Amitraz for Dogs - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects, Famotidine for Cats - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects. 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. Answer: Only if Approved by Your Vet Amoxicillin specifically targets certain strains of bacteria and therefore is not prescribed for all kinds of infections. Yes } This medication is costly. Turns out that my veterinary hospital employer follows the pharmacy rules. Not worth it. I would say for a cat for amoxicillin dosing and especially for bigger cats, we likely need to be more accurate in dosing compared to your average 10lb cat where we should be dosing based on their weight. I always save the last couple doses whenever I am prescribed them. justify-content: space-between; -My mom said, she spotted him possibly dripping It is also more effective than another medication relative, ampicillin. Can I Give my Cat Antibiotics In other words, if your kitty is doing well at a prescribed dose, an accidental extra dose or overdose would not cause these effects. While you can safely store the medication after its expiration date, it is not recommended. Generally, an antibiotic injection is fast acting, which means it might help your pet feel better soon after she receives the shot. } The bacteria then die. These can occur as upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and even skin infections. Because there are many antibiotics out there, a veterinarian should always be responsible for deciding which one is best to use for a particular patient. These are also often treatable with amoxicillin. What kind of illnesses can humans contract from cats? align-items: center; All antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and amoxicillin is no exception. The expiration date is always one year out unless the manufacturer's expiration date precedes it. If your pet is critically ill Id say no dont use ANY expired medications. This article is purely informative. (amoxicillin?) WebHowever, a lot of cats may be allergic to penicillin and can develop side effects: Chronic diarrhea. .table-footer a{ The shelf life once reconstituted is real. Animal Medical Hospital wants you to know why the dates on your pets medications matter. The Pros of Antibiotic Injections for Cats. Then, put one-fifth in the cats food. 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. Other precautions to guard against this are taken as well, including the placement of the endotracheal tube that seals off the airway and is only removed once the pet can start swallowing again. Amoxicillin is used to treat many feline health issues, but the most common problems in which veterinarians often prescribe the medicine off-label are listed below. The most commonly used Amoxicillin medicine for cats is amoxicillin-clavulanate brand Clavamox. Scheduling an appointment with your vet would be the best thing to do here. PetMD They can come as tablets, in liquid form, drops, cream or an injection. color: #fcb040!important; Share Improve this answer Follow answered Apr 22, 2017 at 17:55 Harry V. 5,989 2 16 35 It is primarily used in cats and is commonly prescribed for urinary tract infections (kidneys, bladder, and prostate) and skin infections (mainly post-traumatic wounds and abscesses). Do you Know? margin: 0; They can also be seen on or in the stool. Therefore, probiotics for cats also help support healthier immunity. Like regular amoxicillin, Clavamox also comes in liquid and pill formulations. Can I give my cat Amoxicillin Follow the dosing instructions provided by your veterinarian. This article has been fact checked and verified by our veterinary adviser.. They look for white blood cells and bacteria in her urine. 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. In an effort to simplify things for folks, a veterinarian may not communicate his or her full thought process, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings. Liver and kidney damage may occur. There are several factors that can affects the shelf life including exposure to light, lack of appropriate refrigeration, and eventuallythe chemical instability of the product that can occur with time. How much discomfort occurs during a regular dental cleaning when no tooth extraction has occurred is also debated. Therefore it is a common mistake to search for information on the dose of amoxicillin required for a cat and then administer it to them straightaway, because:. As with any drug, we need to be careful. Common Names: I also noticed a jelly like bloody discharge in her urine (a little amount but its definitely there). 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. Doing so frequently can make the medication ineffective. If no date can be found, it is safest to consider a medication expired six months after being dispensed. Then, put one-fifth in the cats food. These skin infections can be very painful. 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. Overdose of amoxicillin can lead to poisoning which results in liver and kidney failure in cats. However, not all antibiotics work for all bacteria, not all infections are bacterial, not all human drugs can be used on cats and not all infections require antibiotics. He completed a rotating internship with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey and now works as a general practitioner in the Washington D.C. area. It has been opined that a significant percentage of humanity are infected, without overt signs or symptoms. 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. I dont know. Specifically, amoxicillin acts against certain Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The shelf life once reconstituted is real. Therefore it should be left to a veterinarian to determine when and which antibiotic should be used. Fleming discovered penicillin growing as a mold in Fleming's laboratory. 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. All medications have an expiration date on their label. If no date can be found, it is safest to consider a medication expired six months after being dispensed. Roy J., et al. Required fields are marked *. Often extra-label higher doses are used by vets. In that case, you can skip the missed dose. Amoxicillin DONT skip doses or fail to use the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed to your cat. Always, Disposing of drugs, particularly controlled substances, is not always straightforward. DONT start using an antibiotic you happen to have left over from the last time. But this is not a medication that will last long. A common question that clients ask iscan they use expired medications for their cats? Self-educated pet care nerd. So How much Amoxicillin is safe for cats, and what is Amoxicillin for cats dosage chart by weight. In this case, we may think giving amoxicillin to the cat will be beneficial. Clinical and in vitro efficacy of amoxicilin against bacteria associated with feline skin wounds and abscesses. Our customer service department gets a lot of emails from cat lovers about every type of question you can imagine about cats. Can If we do see any adverse side effects from amoxicillin for cats, we need to inform the vet. This is understandable. Im confused and worried. .medication-table .table-row .item-title{ Giving the medicine in the safe amount will not harm your kitty, however amoxicillin can cause the below mentioned side effects in your tom or queen. } Fish Mox For Cats .medication-table .table-row .item{ Potential Side effects of Amoxicillin for Cats, Amoxicillin for cats without vet prescription, How much Diazepam is safe for cats? We have seen that several antibiotics for humans that are commonly used in cats and dogs, one of the most commonly used is amoxicillin. To ensure that your cat swallows all of the medication, it is best to mix it into a small amount of canned food that you feed by hand, rather than mixing it into a full bowl of food that the cat may not completely eat. Please correct me if I am wrong. you might argue. Studies have shown that amoxicillin for cats can be very effective against some of the most common bacteria found in these wounds. A typical example is rhinotracheitis in cats. Keflex is the antibiotic of choice, but Ill guess your cat is a male. Expiration Dates on Veterinary Drugs: Do They Matter? Are they still good? They can come as tablets, in liquid form, drops, cream or an injection. Obviously for very small or very large cats this dose needs to be adjusted at a veterinarian's recommendation. : Giving Amoxicillin to your cat without your veterinarians prescription is not considered safe and ideal. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Catheterization, medication and special food are indicated. These 7 Signs Will Help You Find Out, Eyelid Agenesis In Cats: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment. Because liquid amoxicillin should be discarded after 14 days, it is important not to mix up a new bottle until you are ready to use it. The labelled dosage of Clavamox for UTI in cats is 62.5 mg per cat twice daily for 10-14 days. Read between the lines: We don't want to be legally responsible. Your veterinarian will often collect a sample of her urine. But this isnt the main point of my question). This short-acting medication should stop working within 24 hours, although effects can be longer in pets with liver or kidney disease. Using a medication that is not as potent as intended could result in the medication being ineffective. A much more serious parasitic worm is Toxoplasma gondii, the infection of which being called toxoplasmosis. If your vet decides to use amoxicillin for your cat, he or she will decide on a recommended dosage amount and schedule that is most appropriate depending on the type of infection being addressed. They will often start your cat on a first choice antibiotic. How do you know if amoxicillin is the appropriate antibiotic for it? Amoxicillin may be used for infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract and bladder, some gastrointestinal infections, and infections of the skin and soft tissues. It is always best to seek our help before starting your pet on any medication. Giving amoxicillin to your kitty around the time of a meal can help to offset these possible effects. The goal is to add a balanced and alternative view of some controversial pet issues.