All antibiotics, for human or pet use, have side effects. color: #fff; It does so by blocking bacteria's protein-creating process, a process on which the bacteria depend for survival. Epi-pens (epinephrine injections for anaphylaxis), for example. 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. Thankfully, amoxicillin tends to be very well tolerated by cats. In that case, you can skip the missed dose. WebThe easiest way to give your cat liquid medication is to mix it in with some canned food. Once a month I open two fish amoxcillin capsules and blend it in with their food. This article is a complete and comprehensive guide about the use of Amoxicillin(Aminopenicillin) for felines. Your email address will not be published. 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. Cats can be given amoxicillin. Make sure to follow your veterinarians prescription to avoid health complications. There are also other formulations, such as Clavamox. Before you just toss them in the trash, refer to the FDAs safe drug disposal information to be sure that you are doing things properly. Studies have shown that amoxicillin is effective against bacteria found in the skin and mouth. 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. Gallon of milk that expired yesterday? Clinical and in vitro efficacy of amoxicilin against bacteria associated with feline skin wounds and abscesses. To the rare kitty this might happen with, these effects would occur with even a very small dose. The concentration is much too high for cats unique livers to process and it could seriously harm your cat. If a medication is past the expiration date determined by the manufacturer, it is best not to use it. Most veterinarians treat for at least seven to ten days. Dr. Patty Khuly After all, the drug manufacturers are required to test the safety and efficacy of their drugs under warm, humid environments (read: bathroom) for years beyond their manufacturing date. The pills come in several different strengths: 100 milligrams, 250 milligrams, or 500 milligrams. Any kind of out of pocket medical care is going to be expensive and helps to have some funds set aside for emergencies. (Good thing I'm not in charge, seeing as I'm occasionally ignorant of basic rules.) margin-bottom: 20px; Amoxicillin is an antibiotic called an aminopenicillin. Salivation in excess. Some medications must be kept within a certain temperature range, while others might be light sensitive. These types of medicines are still saving lives today. Always remember you can go to another veterinarian for a second opinion. Amoxicillin is a type of broad-spectrum beta-lactam (-lactam) antibiotic, types of antibiotics which contain a common type of organic compound. Im confused and worried. The side effects of amoxicillin are usually mild and infrequent, involving gastrointestinal upset like vomiting and diarrhea. Amoxicillin For Cats: Dosage, Safety & Side Effects. Antibiotics are slowly losing their effectiveness, this is called antibiotic resistance. Also, sometimes your cat might get a scrape that gets infected. FridaySunday: 7 a.m.6 p.m. No matter whether it is given orally or topically, tetracycline destroys bacterial infections. .medication-table a{ 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. Even a medication that was once prescribed to an individual pet may no longer be appropriate. We just got our cat,Willy, back from the vet for a dental cleaning. Your email address will not be published. Finding the safe dosage of Amoxicillin for the kitten is a challenging task. You might need to repeat blood tests to check for this type of disease process. 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. It can also cause bacterial resistance to develop. I am a retired nurse and know that human designed antibiotics can be given to cats in very small doses. In the case of pregnant or lactating cats, the veterinarian will have to assess administration based on risks versus benefits. 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. | 9 Reasons Explained, Maine Coon Breeders Nova Scotia | Kittens & Cats for Sale. flex-basis: 50%; WebIf you still have a to wait a few days to see the vet I would go to a local pet store and find some probiotics or Bene-Bac to add to what he's eating It'll help provide beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract that may have been lost due to the over use of antibiotics, this is probably causing the loose stool, but a vet would dive deeper into Two, fish amoxicillin is designed to be added to the water of a fish tank and absorbed by fish. Ineffectiveness Using a medication that is not as potent as intended could result in the medication being ineffective. If no date can be found, it is safest to consider a medication expired six months after being dispensed. Your email address will not be published. Full resolution for an infection depends a lot on the location and severity. 1. Amoxicillin as an antibiotic comes in several different forms and dosages. If used to treat other bacterial infections it will have no effect at all. Potent Immunity. Cats should never be given Amoxicillin prescribed for human use, however convenient it may be for pet owners. : WebIt is unusual for a cat to have high blood pressure in isolation from something like chronic kidney disease. It's wrong! The expiration date is always one year out unless the manufacturer's expiration date precedes it. WebThe easiest way to give your cat liquid medication is to mix it in with some canned food. You can give the tablet Amoxicillin to your Cats directly or by hiding it in your kitty food. Most vets call for a dose every 8-12 hours. 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. Form: Thank god his appetite is very good and he eats everything so the infection is not affecting his eating. How much Amoxicillin is Click to attach a photo related to your comment, Can You Give Cats Amoxicillin? 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. -Other cats dont have the same symptoms The liquid is a 62.5 milligrams per milliliter suspension. .medication-table h5{ Amoxicillin is a highly effective antibiotic, but it will not work as well after its expiration date if you have already taken it. (amoxicillin?) Question 3: Did last years vet proceed dangerously not recommending a 12 hour fast, or is there a technology they utilized to prevent potential choking from vomiting of Willy? Often extra-label higher doses are used by vets. You can give your cat Fish Mox (50mg 2-3 times per day). font-weight: 700; Anyhow, online says Cats: The recommended dosage is 50 mg (510 mg/lb) once a day. WebIs Amoxicillin Safe for Cats? When it comes to veterinary drug expiration dates, it is not so safe to gamble. This means administering them for the wrong type of infection, providing inadequate doses, not completing the full prescription or giving them to an otherwise healthy cat. Changes in health status, other concurrent conditions, and the addition of new medications or supplements could make an old prescription inappropriate. Here is some information about the expirations of some medications types: The expiration of a medication varies based on several factors including the type of medication and the manufacturer. One of the most obvious positive sides to these antibiotics is how fast they enter your cats system. justify-content: space-between; 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. Typically, this date is clearly stamped or printed on the container provided by the manufacturer. DONT skip doses or fail to use the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed to your cat. Copyright 2022 by FelineLiving.net -Designed by Thrive Themes Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Do you need to toss all those partially used medications you have stashed in your pets medical supplies? While there are many medicines suitable for human use which are unsuitable for cats, amoxicillin is not one of them. Amoxicillin is a highly effective antibiotic, but it will not work as well after its expiration date if you have already taken it. While we should always take the prescribed dosage, some people either do not or for whatever reason have some extra in their medicine cabinet. Some last a very long time, up to several years. 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. Very effective on worms. 6 Pet Medication Storage Tips to Avoid Danger, Off Label Use of Drugs in Veterinary Medicine, Holistic Medicine and How it Can Help Your Pet, Don't Make These Dangerous Mistakes With Your Pet's Medicine. However, if a cat were to get into and consume an amount of amoxicillin much higher than a typically prescribed dosage, like say, a 500mg human tablet, severe digestive upset may occur. If your vet mixes the liquid and says it expires in 7 or 14 days then Id honor that. I think my cat might have a UTI because shes having trouble releasing a full bladder and/or having the urge to go when she doesnt really need to. You can give your cat Fish Mox (50mg 2-3 times per day). 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. Cholesterol, while sometimes relevant for our patients, is far less relevant compared to people, as pets do not develop the same type of diseases from high cholesterol, like atherosclerosis and risk for heart attacks. 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. The usual dose of amoxicillin in dogs and cats is 5-10 mg/lb every 12-24 hours. Which is why I took a look at a local hospital's Rx labels (from a patient who had been transferred that morning). All medications have an expiration date on their label. 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. 01.30.2018 by 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. Hi Jennifer, thanks for your question. It does so by blocking bacteria's protein-creating process, a process on which the bacteria depend for survival. In veterinary medicine, amoxicillin can come mixed with clavulanic acid. Fresh Breath. So what do I recommend YOU to do? At AnimalWised, we ask can you give cats amoxicillin? You can give your cat Fish Mox (50mg 2-3 times per day). Yes and no. Follow the dosing instructions provided by your veterinarian. The shelf life once reconstituted is real. The bacteria then die. And it's not consumer friendly. However, if there is no color or odor change and it is a few days beyond that date it is probably okay. 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. They may need to suspend treatment or treat any secondary problems. Ill do my best to clarify some of your questions. Amoxicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic, Your veterinarian might want to culture the abscess or wound. While you can safely store the medication after its expiration date, it is not recommended. As a bactericidal antibiotic, amoxicillin works to kill bacteria associated with upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and more. Loves a good book (about animals) and playing the piano. For this reason, it is not possible to give a dosage for amoxicillin for cats as it will depend on each individual clinical case. 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? A huge animal lover, born and raised around dogs, cats, chickens A large and important part of the immune system is located in the gut. Required fields are marked *. Yes, in an ideal and safe dose Amoxicillin is safe for your cat. Though I'd never heard of this law, it seems pharmacists are required to attach a one-year expiration date to all of the drugs they dispense. The expiration date is always one year out unless the manufacturer's expiration date precedes it. line-height: 50px; In that case, you can skip the missed dose. Read more here. For more information, or to ask about an expired veterinary medication, please call us. border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; Cats are prone to contracting bacterial, fungal or viral diseases that left untreated can lead to significant health complications. Doing so frequently can make the medication ineffective. For two reasons, the former employee explained: 1. It is not appropriate to medicate the cat with amoxicillin of our own volition. Knowing about the safe Amoxicillin dosage for cats is essential for every pet owner. They may diagnose a bacterial infection, and if so, amoxicillin might be used. Is there anything over the counter I can use too. 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. Not worth it. font-size: 24px; It is not wise to rely on the drugs appearance to assess whether or not it is still good. Because people probably store animal medications even more carelessly than their own, and 2. This can delay appropriate treatment, allowing for a condition to worsen in the interim, potentially putting the pet at risk. Yesterday's Morning Edition on NPR featured Joanne Silberner's report on human drugs and their expiration dates. That's my take, anyway. shes 8 years old and has been healthy until recently (blood in urine). } 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. Answer: Only if Approved by Your Vet Amoxicillin specifically targets certain strains of bacteria and therefore is not prescribed for all kinds of infections. Common Names: Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. The tablets come in a variety of sizes: 62.5 milligrams, 125 milligrams, 250 milligrams, and 375 milligrams. An extended treatment with antibiotics can lead to yeast infections, especially if the cats immune system is But beyond that, I cannot assist with specific dosing for your cat beyond what is generally found in the article. The American Veterinary Medical Association mandates that veterinary drug expiration dates be provided on all dispensed medications when appropriate. .medication-table .table-row .item-title{ In your experience, does this seem unnecessary and far afield? display: flex; The shelf life once reconstituted is real. Phone: (704)3344684 Can I Give My Cat Amoxicillin? Some cats might drool after taking the amoxicillin, especially the liquid amoxicillin. Answer: Only if Approved by Your Vet Amoxicillin specifically targets certain strains of bacteria and therefore is not prescribed for all kinds of infections. If your kitty is dealing with a very concerning infection, your vet may, for example, recommend starting a probiotic as opposed to discontinuing an antibiotic. The Pros of Antibiotic Injections for Cats. Therefore, probiotics for cats also help support healthier immunity. 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. Some, like amoxicillin, are bactericidal, which means they kill the bacteria. They may have you get it filled at a human pharmacy like Walgreens. 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. This medication is costly. padding: 10px; } This is because the bacteria often present in these cases is sensitive to amoxicillin. In any pet showing such signs, but especially in cats, it is important to get an actual diagnosis if possible before considering antibiotics. Read between the lines: We don't want to be legally responsible. DONT skip doses or fail to use the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed to your cat. These are more common in the upper airways. The Irreverent Veterinarian is a columnist that regularly contributes to PetPlace.com. Those outdoor kitties need our help too. : 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. Self-educated pet care nerd. Sometimes, though rarely, changes can take place that cause the medication to be harmful to your pet. Potent Immunity. Cat sized doses can be bought at pet supply stores. The best and ideal way to give Amoxicillin to Cats is to follow your vets guidelines and prescription. Giving an antibiotic willy nilly or stopping short of the whole course can prove far worse than not using antibiotics at all. For example, it is commonly prescribed for treatment of infected wounds and abscesses. Amoxicillin has a wide dosage range. A much more serious parasitic worm is Toxoplasma gondii, the infection of which being called toxoplasmosis. } 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. Always discard medications that have obvious changes to color, texture, etc. Turns out that my veterinary hospital employer follows the pharmacy rules. However, overdosing or giving it incorrectly is toxic for the felines. 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. In that case, you can skip the missed dose. } Get it on Chewy Clavamox (Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid). If no date can be found, it is safest to consider a medication expired six months after being dispensed. 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. Again, this will depend on the above factors, but it needs to be taken with food to avoid digestive problems. You're free to offer your own below. www.felineliving.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. The tablets typically come in 50, 100, 150, 200, and 400 mg, while the liquid oral suspension usually comes in 50-mg/ml. While there are many medicines suitable for human use which are unsuitable for cats, amoxicillin is not one of them. Not active at all. The more bacterial resistance increases as a society, the more powerful antibiotics need to be. Non-castrated males are also more susceptible since they are more likely to fight or get into mischief. 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. -Hugs water with his giant arms and drinks a lot 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. } Do you Know? Throwing up. You have half a tube of ointment from that one time Fluffy had an ear infection, a few pills rattling around from when she was so itchy last summer, and almost a full bottle of some type of pain pill from the time she sprained a paw. Can your kitty take it (2.5 minutes read), Best practices for amoxicillin usage (1 minute read). .medication-table .table-row .item{ Which means the same is true for veterinarians, seeing as we're required to comply with pharmacy laws, too. It is not used as a first line of treatment unless the infection is far gone or the risk for infection (for example after surgery) is very high. Medication still in powder form is probably still good for 1 to 2 years beyond the expiration on the label. Lack of appetite and refusal to eat. color: #fcb040!important; Inappropriateness Even a medication that was once prescribed to an individual pet may no longer be appropriate. It can decrease her willingness to use the litter box. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. 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. Antibiotics are fairly common in the average household, so it may be the case that you have some Amoxicillin available. If your cat is sick or not acting like herself, a trip to your family veterinarian is recommended.