Giving an antibiotic willy nilly or stopping short of the whole course can prove far worse than not using antibiotics at all. } However, since kittens are vulnerable and are yet to establish a clinical history, a veterinarian will need to determine the right course of action. In immunocompromised people, this infection can be fatal. If there is any swelling, pain or discharge at that digit, veterinary care would be needed for sure. The consequences to using insulin that is bad can be dangerous. Amoxicillin is a highly effective antibiotic, but it will not work as well after its expiration date if you have already taken it. 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. 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. While you can safely store the medication after its expiration date, it is not recommended. Make sure to follow your veterinarians prescription to avoid health complications. The telltale sign is the exiting of white, slowly wriggling maggot looking reproductive segments from the anus, that are shed from the adult tapeworm that is attached to the stomach and small intestine lining. Amoxicillin tends to be more effective than penicillin because it lasts longer. While it may not directly cause harm, using an expired drug may have some negative effects including: Often when people utilize old medications, they are doing so without guidance from a veterinarian. These medications are called aminopenicillins and prevent the bacteria from making or keeping their cell wall intact. I have a 6 mo old kitten who weighs under 2 lbs. Very effective on worms. OK, so I'll concede to the second point. It does so by blocking bacteria's protein-creating process, a process on which the bacteria depend for survival. Developed for humans to take, antibiotics are used in most species of animals. WebSo, can I give my cat amoxicillin? If you miss a dose, give it to your cat unless it's almost time for the next dose. Most veterinarians treat for at least seven to ten days. If your vet mixes the liquid and says it expires in 7 or 14 days then Id honor that. No Dr. Chris Vanderhoof is a 2013 graduate of the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMCVM) at Virginia Tech, where he also earned a Masters in Public Health. It can also be helpful to discuss diet and nutrition as well. The liquid is a 62.5 milligrams per milliliter suspension. In short, what your veterinarian prescribes! Most vets call for a dose every 8-12 hours. DONT skip doses or fail to use the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed to your cat. } Bacteria come in different types, usually classified as Gram-positive or Gram-negative. Essentially the same antibiotics are effective in cats and in humans, however always in different concentrations and dosages. Amoxicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic, Some medications must be kept within a certain temperature range, while others might be light sensitive. However, if there is no color or odor change and it is a few days beyond that date it is probably okay. But unfortunately, I would feel that the addition of the fish amoxicillin capsules is misguided for two reasons. Not worth it. Amoxicillin is not poisonous to cats, is very safe at prescribed doses, and side effects are uncommon. Once a month I open two fish amoxcillin capsules and blend it in with their food. Veterinarians try their best to ensure their patients are not in any pain. Lack of appetite and refusal to eat. And an employee who'd worked at yet another hospital reported the same about her previous employer's policy. Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribed by veterinarians to treat various infections in dogs and cats. In fact, rhinotracheitis is particular prevalent in kittens. For some medications, I would feel comfortable using on my own pets if they were expired by 1 to 2 years. It was penicillin, which makes this an important medication. In that case, you can skip the missed dose. Most liquid medications that are not reconstituted also have a shelf life of 1 to 2 years but once reconstituted (mixed with water such as powered amoxicillin is mixed with water) most expire in about 7 to 14 days depending on the specific product. 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. Use of Antibiotics Wishing your cat all the best! Oral amoxicillin, like many broad-spectrum antibiotics, can alter the normal, beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, which is often a cause of digestive upset if it occurs. If only a month and year are listed, the medication is expired on the last day of the listed month. In that case, you can skip the missed dose. That's my take, anyway. The licking of private areas and urinary pain could be concerning for this. WebThe easiest way to give your cat liquid medication is to mix it in with some canned 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. by Fishy smelling, right? If not 50mg available, open the 250 mg capsule and divide it into fifths. Oral amoxicillin, like many broad-spectrum antibiotics, can alter the normal, beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, which is often a cause of digestive upset if it occurs. } The generic human liquid suspension could be used, however the volume of medication in some available preparations may be far more than what is needed for a cats typical dosage period, making them less practical. Question 1: Is this really recommended? As with all medications, it is important to follow all the labeled directions. But Im also concerned that treating with an antibiotic alone could be missing something more important thats going on here. Common illnesses in which Amoxicillin is given to cats are: Every medicine include antibiotic may have mild to severe side effects. 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. View all posts by Dr. Chris Vanderhoof, DVM, MPH, Marbofloxacin For Cats: Overview, Dosage & Side Effects, L-lysine For Cats: Overview, Dosage & Side Effects, Lactulose For Cats: Overview, Dosage & Side Effects, Solensia For Cats: Overview, Dosage & Side Effects, New Research Proves Owning A Cat Is Good For Your Heart, 10 Proven Ways To Show Your Cat You Love Her, Is Your Cat Lonely? If a medication is past the expiration date determined by the manufacturer, it is best not to use it. 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. Doing so frequently can make the medication ineffective. 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). Often extra-label higher doses are used by vets. Nonprofit vets can be found. If our cat is taking any other medication or has any underlying medical condition, the veterinarian needs to be informed. If my pet was REALLY ill then I would NOT use any expired medication. 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). 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? Liver and kidney damage may occur. It can also cause bacterial resistance to develop. If your vet prescribes two bottles, they should provide you with instructions on how to mix up the second bottle. You might need to repeat blood tests to check for this type of disease process. They may need to suspend treatment or treat any secondary problems. How does one properly dispose of expired veterinary pharmaceuticals? Image from Instagram:@petdiseasealerts It would be prudent not to give your dog any human amoxicillin. Give double dose first dose. Neurologic changes, like an inability to walk normally (termed ataxia) have been reported in dogs, as well as elevated heart rate and breathing changes. Those outdoor kitties need our help too. It is not wise to rely on the drugs appearance to assess whether or not it is still good. 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. For example, it is commonly prescribed for treatment of infected wounds and abscesses. 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. 1. } Amoxicillin is a type of broad-spectrum beta-lactam (-lactam) antibiotic, types of antibiotics which contain a common type of organic compound. One of the most obvious positive sides to these antibiotics is how fast they enter your cats system. This is the safest way to use the expiration dates on the package. padding: 15px 5px 15px 5px; But it's not fair! Any kind of out of pocket medical care is going to be expensive and helps to have some funds set aside for emergencies. Antibiotics are slowly losing their effectiveness, this is called antibiotic resistance. This being the law and all that. Share Improve this answer Follow answered Apr 22, 2017 at 17:55 Harry V. 5,989 2 16 35 However, my cat is 17.2 pounds is 50 mg the max daily dosing? This is what I would do and does not mean that it is right or wrong. Copyright 2022 by FelineLiving.net -Designed by Thrive Themes Yes and no. Read between the lines some more: Limiting the expiration date is an easily defensible way to encourage more drug sales. I always save the last couple doses whenever I am prescribed them. 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. (However, the cholesterol was 427, but that vet didnt have us 12 hour fast Willy. Newborn kittens are susceptible to antibiotics. It makes it even more potent and long-lasting. You might see it in combination products, such as Clavamox, where the medication is even more effective and long-lasting because it is mixed with a medication called clavulanic acid. Amoxicillin has a wide dosage range. Please note that the above Amoxicillin for cats dosage Chart is well researched but can only be used for educational purposes and will not replace your veterinarian prescription and advice. When it comes to veterinary drug expiration dates, it is not so safe to gamble. Good luck! Any potential risks of those decisions should always typically be discussed. Male cats also are more susceptible to sterile urinary bladder and tract inflammation, and urinary blockages which can appear very much like a UTI but arent responsive to antibiotics. The labelled dosage of Clavamox for UTI in cats is 62.5 mg per cat twice daily for 10-14 days. Since every cat is an individual, each cat will respond differently to amoxicillin. Giving an antibiotic willy nilly or stopping short of the whole course can prove far worse than not using antibiotics at all. As a bactericidal antibiotic, amoxicillin has the ability to kill certain kinds of bacteria causing infections. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic widely used in human medicine. If there was extra gingivitis present that led to more bleeding during cleaning or if a lot of extra scaling under the gums was needed, your vet may have felt that an anti-inflammatory was warranted to ensure your kitty was more comfortable after going home. Some last a very long time, up to several years. The more bacterial resistance increases as a society, the more powerful antibiotics need to be. The Pros of Antibiotic Injections for Cats. However, there is a risk that antimicrobial resistance will mean antibiotics will be less effective in the future to the point that animals will be much more susceptible to infection. If you suspect that your cat has an illness warranting an antibiotic, such as amoxicillin, make an appointment with your vet for a thorough evaluation. } Click to attach a photo related to your comment, Can You Give Cats Amoxicillin? And it's not consumer friendly. The Pros of Antibiotic Injections for Cats. Make sure to follow your veterinarians prescription to avoid health complications. These are more common in the upper airways. It is not worth the risk of a reaction or problem from using expired medications. As this is too late to be of use, I hope your cat survived. Why Does My Cat Push Out His Penis and Lick It? Antibiotics are slowly losing their effectiveness, this is called antibiotic resistance. Avoid giving your pet any medication that contains a corticosteroid unless it has been prescribed by your veterinarian to treat your pets current medical problem. Amoxicillin and Augmentin (Clavamox) are my 1st go to antibiotic. Most cats take a 62.5 milligram dosage twice daily for a set amount of days. Ill try to be objective and impartial with my answers, since its always important to realize that any medical situation can vary quite a lot from patient to patient. That yogurt in the back of the fridge probably has at least a week or two past the stamped date, right? 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. Amoxicillin is a highly effective antibiotic, but it will not work as well after its expiration date if you have already taken it. Your veterinarian will likely look for eye or nasal discharge. To know about amoxicillin dosage for cats by weight, please look at the below dosage chart by weight. Amoxicillin is effective against members of both of these categories. The pain medication is Onsior. .medication-table{ Before you just toss them in the trash, refer to the. } 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. Yes, in an ideal and safe dose Amoxicillin is safe for your cat. Phone: (704)3344684 Always, Disposing of drugs, particularly controlled substances, is not always straightforward. WebIs Amoxicillin Safe for Cats? All she does is sleep. Praziquantel will kill them with one dose. Only stop the antibiotic with your vets prescription to avoid antibiotic resistance. The price for weekend vet visit is crazy. This antibiotic drug binds directly to certain parts of the cell membrane that are infected by bacteria and fight to stop and inhibit the development of the cell wall and thus weaken the kills staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria stability and kill them. Typically, vets can prescribe Amoxicillin for cats to treat skin infections, and urinary tract infections. The expiration date is always one year out unless the manufacturer's expiration date precedes it. So while amoxicillin is not in itself a toxin, if you suspect your kitty has ingested an overdose of her own amoxicillin or possibly any prescribed for you or a family member at home, always notify your veterinarian and/or get in touch with Animal Poison Control to determine what steps may need to be taken. font-size: 14px; Avoid breathing litter dust to protect yourself. An extended treatment with antibiotics can lead to yeast infections, especially if the cats immune system is If your kitty will take a pill mixed with or hidden in food or a treat, this is often easiest and involves the least amount of struggle. The shelf life once reconstituted is real. All antibiotics, for human or pet use, have side effects. This commentary allows vets to say what they think and give you, the pet owner, the opportunity to consider another view. Potential Side effects of Amoxicillin for Cats, Amoxicillin for cats without vet prescription, How much Diazepam is safe for cats? No matter whether it is given orally or topically, tetracycline destroys bacterial infections. flex-wrap: wrap; Precautions Amoxicillin comes in a liquid suspension, tablet, and capsule forms. The expiration date is always one year out unless the manufacturer's expiration date precedes it. Hi Dr. Chris, Liquid amoxicillin needs to be kept in the refrigerator except when you are giving it to your cat. 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. Hi Chris. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that is related to penicillin. Common Names: The Pros of Antibiotic Injections for Cats. It can also be used for gastrointestinal infections. Copyright 1999 - 2023. There may be a telemedicine service you could look into that might be less expensive and less stressful for your kitty for a situation like this if healing delays continue. Animal Medical Hospital wants you to know why the dates on your pets medications matter. According to them, the anibiotics was for possible infection due to the cleaning and the pain medication was for pain from the cleaning. While we should always take the prescribed dosage, some people either do not or for whatever reason have some extra in their medicine cabinet. You should inform your vet about any allergies your cat may have, especially if you know your cat to be allergic to any drugs. DONT skip doses or fail to use the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed to your cat. } Please correct me if I am wrong. Address: 3832 Monroe Road, Charlotte, NC 28205 WebIs Amoxicillin Safe for Cats? 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. Also, inform your veterinarian about any kidney or stomach problems your cat may have or had in the past as Amoxicillin may cause further damage of these organs. This is like you getting a sinus infection is often more likely than bronchitis. All medications have an expiration date on their label. Turns out I was right. Providing some good history and having an exam performed are important starting points. If you wish to store your veterinary pharmaceuticals, it is essential that you adhere to storage guidelines. This can delay appropriate treatment, allowing for a condition to worsen in the interim, potentially putting the pet at risk. Your veterinarian may fall in the first camp or otherwise may have felt that the amount of tartar present warranted sending antibiotics home. As such, amoxicillin is readily prescribed for some very common maladies. Amoxicillin should only be used to treat bacterial infections and not viral or parasitic infections. While human amoxicillin is actually the same medication, the dosage forms available for people may be problematic for use with cats. Administering Amoxicillin prescribed for human use to your cat may do serious harm. It can also cause bacterial resistance to develop. 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. Antibiotic use during and after dentals is hotly debated in our field. Dosage should be continued for 57 days or 48 hours after all symptoms have subsided. 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. | Powered by WordPress. In the case of pregnant or lactating cats, the veterinarian will have to assess administration based on risks versus benefits. It is more resistant to stomach acids, which would readily degrade penicillin. 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. Respiratory infections are also treated by amoxicillin, but it will depend on the specific infection. Then, put one-fifth in the cats food. All drugs originating from. This being the law and all that. Incomplete antibiotic courses, even if not expired, can result in lack of treatment, subjecting the pet to relapse or even antibiotic resistance. Amoxicillin usually comes in both pills and liquid suspension forms. 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. All drugs originating from our pharmacy will have one displayed on the label. All antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and amoxicillin is no exception. 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. PetPlace may be compensated when you click on or make a purchase using the links in this article. It Might Be Time for a Pet Diet Change, Thanksgiving Food for Pets: What to Avoid and What to Share, Not So Fun in the Sun: Dog Skin Issues You May Encounter This Summer, Contribution to problems, such as antibiotic resistance (hint: you should never have leftover antibiotics if using as prescribed), Over-the-counter and prescription medication exposure are a common cause of pet (and people) poisonings, Septic tanks and sewage treatment plants are unequipped to remove all pharmaceutical residues from the water. It has been opined that a significant percentage of humanity are infected, without overt signs or symptoms. It is given at a frequency of two times per day. justify-content: space-between; 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. Typically, this date is clearly stamped or printed on the container provided by the manufacturer. It is important to keep in mind that some infections may not be bacterial. - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects, we recommend you visit our Medicine category. It is indeed possible to give amoxicillin to kittens or young cats for the pathologies mentioned above. You might need to repeat blood tests to check for this type of disease process. Animal adoption advocate. These skin infections can be very painful. Reading this article until the end will solve all your queries about using this antibiotic drug for your kitty. In how many forms Amoxicillinis available? Hi Dominique, thanks for your question. The labelled dosage of Clavamox for UTI in cats is 62.5 mg per cat twice daily for 10-14 days. Symptoms usually end when administration does. Amoxicillin for humans is usually prepared in tablet form, but it is often administered to cats in a paste or oral suspension, as well as pills. As a bactericidal antibiotic, amoxicillin works to kill bacteria associated with upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and more. Google Neighborhood Cats and email or call them, tells them whats going on and they probably can direct you to resources that can help. If only a month and year are listed, the medication is expired on the last day of the listed month. Adding the fish amoxicillin capsules to the feral colonys canned food is unlikely to be providing any significant benefit, and is more likely to be contributing to amoxicillin-resistant bacteria. Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic does not provide any veterinary medical services or guidance via the Internet. Give all of the amoxicillin that is prescribed for your pet, since symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated. 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. Outdoor feline explorers are often more prone to catching illnesses as they may rummage through trash and dirt. Dont make your cat suffer any longer! Specifically, amoxicillin acts against certain Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. If only a month and year are listed, the medication is expired on the last day of the listed month. Can your kitty take it (2.5 minutes read), Best practices for amoxicillin usage (1 minute read). Your vet can run a stool sample to help make sure none have been missed. 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. We look at what cases the antibiotic may be administered by understanding the uses, dosage and side effects of the drug. When it comes to veterinary drug expiration dates, it is not so safe to gamble. 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. These are also often treatable with amoxicillin. The blood work-up was normal. Amoxicillin is a highly effective antibiotic, but it will not work as well after its expiration date if you have already taken it. If my pet wasitching and it was 3 am and all I had was some expired Benadryl Id probably try it. The American Veterinary Medical Association mandates that veterinary drug expiration dates be provided on all dispensed medications when appropriate. As you can see, it is vital we pay attention to the directives of the veterinarian. In this article, youll learn what amoxicillin is, the types of infections it may be used for in cats, potential side effects, and some other useful info and frequently asked questions. For this reason, it is not possible to give a dosage for amoxicillin for cats as it will depend on each individual clinical case. Answer: Only if Approved by Your Vet Amoxicillin specifically targets certain strains of bacteria and therefore is not prescribed for all kinds of infections. (hopefully). Required fields are marked *. If a UTI is present, they will usually treat with an effective antibiotic. If your vet mixes the liquid and says it expires in 7 or 14 days then Id honor that. Why? If there is no signs of improvement (after two full days) take your cat to the vet on day 3. It is always best to seek our help before starting your pet on any medication. One of the main examples is that misuse of antibiotics will increase bacterial resistance. Disposing of drugs, particularly controlled substances, is not always straightforward. -Now crying in pain as he licks his privates. Urinary tract infections can plague some cats. It can be used alone or as a combination antibiotic like Clavamox. It's not exactly consumer friendly to arbitrarily set higher bars on some products especially when they are so transparently yielding bigger bottom lines for those who lobby in their favor.
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