Cats should never be given Amoxicillin prescribed for human use, however convenient it may be for pet owners. } Bacteria come in different types, usually classified as Gram-positive or Gram-negative. The honest answer isprobably most oral pill or capsule medications are good for longer than their expiration dates. 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. 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. Incomplete antibiotic courses, even if not expired, can result in lack of treatment, subjecting the pet to relapse or even antibiotic resistance. It can decrease her willingness to use the litter box. Corticosteroids suppress the immune system (among other things) and if your pet has an infection of any sort, they can make your pets condition worse rather than better. Obviously for very small or very large cats this dose needs to be adjusted at a veterinarian's recommendation. 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. 1. Amoxicillin is a highly effective antibiotic, but it will not work as well after its expiration date if you have already taken it. Regular use of probiotics for cats can prevent digestive issues and ease symptoms like vomiting, stomach irritation, constipation, and diarrhea. Always discard medications that have obvious changes to color, texture, etc. It inhibits the growth of bacteria by preventing the cell wall formation of the bacterial cells. Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic Staff, Sluggish Pet? Amoxicillin typically comes in both a liquid form as an oral suspension as well as tablet form. 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. 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. If we see that our cat is suffering from an infection, we will want to do anything we can to help ease any suffering. Outdoor feline explorers are often more prone to catching illnesses as they may rummage through trash and dirt. As you alluded to, this is primarily to reduce the risk of regurgitation or aspiration during a procedure, since the pet cannot swallow on their own. This vet did advise us to do Willys 12 hour fast. While you can safely store the medication after its expiration date, it is not recommended. Keep in mind that nail injuries can take a few weeks to fully heal as the newer nail grows out. The tablets typically come in 50, 100, 150, 200, and 400 mg, while the liquid oral suspension usually comes in 50-mg/ml. Turns out that my veterinary hospital employer follows the pharmacy rules. What we can say is that amoxicillin is usually administered one to three times a day. 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. 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:. You should always consult with the vet about the best antibiotic to be used and its potential side effects. No matter whether it is given orally or topically, tetracycline destroys bacterial infections. We have seen that several antibiotics for humans that are commonly used in cats and dogs, one of the most commonly used is amoxicillin. It can be used alone or as a combination antibiotic like Clavamox. 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 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 It tends to be an inexpensive option that is very safe and generally well tolerated. It is not worth the risk of a reaction or problem from using expired medications. There is also tetracycline ointment for cats. In cats, these can occur as hives or labored breathing. However, overdosing or giving it incorrectly is toxic for the felines. If so, your veterinarian may have prescribed antibiotics. They can come as tablets, in liquid form, drops, cream or an injection. Thank you. If your vet mixes the liquid and says it expires in 7 or 14 days then Id honor that. 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. While we should always take the prescribed dosage, some people either do not or for whatever reason have some extra in their medicine cabinet. We brought him the blood work-up results for a dental cleaning last year from another vet. text-align: center; So what do I recommend YOU to do? Administering Amoxicillin prescribed for human use to your cat may do serious harm. Good luck! The result is that antibiotics may not be effective in the future when they are really needed. As far as the anti-inflammatories for 3 days goes, there may be no right or wrong answer there. As a bactericidal antibiotic, amoxicillin has the ability to kill certain kinds of bacteria causing infections. One of the most obvious positive sides to these antibiotics is how fast they enter your cats system. Severe allergic reactions to amoxicillin are extremely rare but can include rashes, hives, fever, and changes to red and white blood cell counts. Turns out that my veterinary hospital employer follows the pharmacy rules. Follow the dosing instructions provided by your veterinarian. Yes, in an ideal and safe dose Amoxicillin is safe for your cat. What kind of illnesses can humans contract from cats? It is more resistant to stomach acids, which would readily degrade penicillin. The Pros of Antibiotic Injections for Cats. This being the law and all that. We have seen that several antibiotics for humans that are commonly used in cats and dogs, one of the most commonly used is amoxicillin. If you wish to store your veterinary pharmaceuticals, it is essential that you adhere to storage guidelines. 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. I am a retired nurse and know that human designed antibiotics can be given to cats in very small doses. The most common form given to cats is the liquid suspension or the tablets, both in specific veterinary preparations. But this is not a medication that will last long. 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. Roy J., et al. Common illnesses in which Amoxicillin is given to cats are: Every medicine include antibiotic may have mild to severe side effects. I poured 90% of the capsule out and she swallowed the other 10%. Reasons to Honor Veterinary Drug Expiration Dates. 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. They can easily come in contact with other outdoor or stray cats, putting them at risk of contracting contagious diseases. Those outdoor kitties need our help too. Knowing about the safe Amoxicillin dosage for cats is essential for every pet owner. It is important to keep in mind that some infections may not be bacterial. Many respiratory illnesses are caused by viral infections which cannot be treated by amoxicillin, although it may be prescribed to treat secondary bacterial infections. 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. Typically, this date is clearly stamped or printed on the container provided by the manufacturer. They can also be seen on or in the stool. Salivation in excess. Most cats take a 62.5 milligram dosage twice daily for a set amount of days. Expiration dates on drugs exist to help keep you and your pet healthier and happy. background: #fcb040; How much should I give? 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. As with any medication, there is a possibility of side effects. This being the law and all that. All drugs originating from our pharmacy will have one displayed on the label. Animal Medical Hospital, Animal Medical Hospital and 24 Hour Urgent Care. Most vets call for a dose every 8-12 hours. If you dont have the right dosage of an antibiotic for the right length of time, it may not fully help and only lead to bacterial resistance. It can also cause bacterial resistance to develop. Make sure to give any medication to your kitty with vet advice only. Still, there's one caveat. The liquid amoxicillin is generally at a concentration of 100 milligrams per milliliter. If your cat is prescribed Clavamox, you might be familiar with it as Augmentin. Furthermore, Amoxicillin is only effective for specific bacteria. align-items: center; : The shelf life once reconstituted is real. 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. Amoxicillin should only be used to treat bacterial infections and not viral or parasitic infections. That tells you how much amoxicillin for cats, but Clavamox is even easier to dispense. Are they still good? Veterinary Website by Beyond Indigo Pets. No blood work-up, and going on a previous years blood work-up from the other vet and administering the anesthesia for the dental cleaning? 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 medication is past the expiration date determined by the manufacturer, it is best not to use it. Tetracycline for cats is a multipurpose antibiotic typically available as a capsule or tablet. Fresh Breath. Treatment in humans requires a much bigger dose. These include vomiting, diarrhea, or just a softer stool. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Cats.com 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. WebHowever, a lot of cats may be allergic to penicillin and can develop side effects: Chronic diarrhea. Giving Amoxicillin to your cat without your veterinarians prescription is not considered safe and ideal. 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. Epi-pens (epinephrine injections for anaphylaxis), for example. How long before it takes effect and what symptoms should I look for? I have Amoxicillin. But blood tests only reveal evidence of kidney failure in pets once 72% or more of the kidneys have been lost. Indiscriminate use of any antibiotic can lead to resistant bacterial populations, which make treating infections more difficult. An extended treatment with antibiotics can lead to yeast infections, especially if the cats immune system is This is like you getting a sinus infection is often more likely than bronchitis. Loves a good book (about animals) and playing the piano. This has another medication added to the amoxicillin. Medication Type: However, this dosage is generally no longer considered in veterinary medicine to be effective for most infections. 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. If you want to read similar articles to Can You Give Cats Amoxicillin? | Powered by WordPress. They may have you get it filled at a human pharmacy like Walgreens. The American Veterinary Medical Association, mandates that veterinary drug expiration dates be provided on all dispensed medications when appropriate. Each individual drug has its own unique shelf life determined by the manufacturer. 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. 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. While human amoxicillin is actually the same medication, the dosage forms available for people may be problematic for use with cats. How do you know if amoxicillin is the appropriate antibiotic for it? text-align: center; Wishing your cat all the best! However, since kittens are vulnerable and are yet to establish a clinical history, a veterinarian will need to determine the right course of action. Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid is common in these circumstances. Cats can be given amoxicillin. 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. Other infectious agents are not harmed by this medication, such as viruses and fungi. The ideal way to give the oral suspension amoxicillin is to provide it by the syringe in the mouth. In these cases you will need to go to the veterinarian to stop the effects or even a veterinary hospital in case of emergency. Get new medication. These can occur as upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and even skin infections. Amoxicillin specifically targets certain strains of bacteria and therefore is not prescribed for all kinds of infections. Form: PetPlace may be compensated when you click on or make a purchase using the links in this article. These types of medicines are still saving lives today. That yogurt in the back of the fridge probably has at least a week or two past the stamped date, right? Potential Side effects of Amoxicillin for Cats, Amoxicillin for cats without vet prescription, How much Diazepam is safe for cats? This helps our pet parents know how to best use the medications we prescribe. But blood tests only reveal evidence of kidney failure in pets once 72% or more of the kidneys have been lost. But I also recommend that you ask for the manufacturer's expiration date on meds that might need to be administered again in the future. Have your cat diagnosed and have a veterinarian prescribe the correct form of treatment. If you have been a pet medication hoarder, you likely have a pile of stuff to trash at this point. Many drugs, such as antibiotics, are intended to be given as a full course with no leftovers. MondayThursday: 7 a.m.8 p.m. Your email address will not be published. The labelled dosage of Clavamox for UTI in cats is 62.5 mg per cat twice daily for 10-14 days. All medications that we prescribe to our patients come with an expiration date. The urine is tested to make sure that she has a UTI. The best thing is to have your kitty checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Incomplete antibiotic courses, even if not expired, can result in lack of treatment, subjecting the pet to relapse or even antibiotic resistance. If there is no signs of improvement (after two full days) take your cat to the vet on day 3. -Indoor Cat lives with 2 other cats The labelled dosage of Clavamox for UTI in cats is 62.5 mg per cat twice daily for 10-14 days. All she does is sleep. font-size: 24px; While you can safely store the medication after its expiration date, it is not recommended. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid may cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. Pic of the day: "Messed up" by maggiejumps. Of course, if a cat has previously shown to have an allergic reaction to amoxicillin, it should be not administered again. Doing so frequently can make the medication ineffective. Antibiotics are a class of medication used to treat bacterial infections. Like regular amoxicillin, Clavamox also comes in liquid and pill formulations. But this is What to Do if My Dog has Something Stuck in his Throat? Copyright 1999 - 2023. Non-castrated males are also more susceptible since they are more likely to fight or get into mischief. 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. Share Improve this answer Follow answered Apr 22, 2017 at 17:55 Harry V. 5,989 2 16 35 I would recommend finding a veterinarian who practices telehealth and getting the prescription from them so that you can purchase it. As odd as it might sound, human amoxicillin can be used for cats. 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. I clipped my cats claw to deep now it seems infected and is swollen I have been cleaning and wrapping it some times it looks to be getting better then it doesnt A Vet is out of the question as they charge to much up front and wont do payment plans Can I give him a small dose of amoxicillin? I cant comment more as its impossible for me to know if this is a typical delay in healing that can be seen with nail trauma even without infection present, or something more concerning.