Amoxicillin for cats
Amoxicillin is an effective and safe antibacterial agent used in cats for gastrointestinal, genitourinary, respiratory, and soft tissue infections. It has long been successfully used in veterinary medicine for a variety of bacterial diseases due to its broad spectrum of activity.
Content
Dosage form and features
Amoxicillin for animals is available in three dosage forms:
- injection suspension;
- pills;
- powder.
Cats are typically treated with an injectable suspension, and occasionally with tablets. Due to their light weight, calculating the correct dosage of tablets and powder is quite difficult, especially at home, which increases the risk of overdose and side effects.
The suspension is a 15% solution of amoxicillin trihydrate, meaning 1 ml of liquid contains 150 mg of the active ingredient. It is an oily, viscous, white liquid. It is packaged in clear and dark glass bottles. Pharmacies offer bottles of 10, 100, and 250 ml. For cats, it is advisable to purchase only the 10 ml bottles.
Amoxicillin is a common antibiotic. It is available not only for animals but also for humans. It is often found in regular pharmacies as tablets, capsules, and oral suspensions. People sometimes wonder whether it's safe to give human amoxicillin to cats. Giving human amoxicillin to cats is not recommended because the concentration of the active ingredient is usually significantly higher, making it difficult to calculate the exact dosage. If for some reason you can't find the medication intended for animals, ask your veterinarian to calculate the correct dosage.
Operating principle
Amoxicillin trihydrate, the active ingredient of the medication, has a pronounced bactericidal effect. It works by blocking the production of a substance found in cell walls. The drug also disrupts enzyme production in bacterial cells, leading to their destruction. Amoxicillin has a broad spectrum of activity. It is effective against the following pathogenic microorganisms:
- staphylococci;
- streptococci;
- leptospira;
- proteins;
- salmonella;
- listeria;
- E. coli;
- enterococci;
- clostridia, etc.
Amoxicillin is a penicillin-type antibiotic. From the injection site, it readily enters the bloodstream and is distributed throughout the body. Maximum concentrations are reached in just 1-2 hours, and the therapeutic effect lasts for 48 hours. The drug is largely eliminated from the animal's body in urine.
What is the price
In addition to its relative safety and high effectiveness, Amoxicillin's affordable price is another advantage for cats. A 10 ml bottle costs 220-280 rubles, while a 100 ml bottle costs between 500 and 800 rubles, depending on the manufacturer. However, purchasing a large bottle for cats is impractical, as the medication is only usable for 28 days after opening. A 20-tablet package costs 50-70 rubles.
Indications for use
According to the instructions for use, Amoxicillin is prescribed to cats in the following cases:
- for leptospirosis;
- for salmonellosis;
- with enteritis;
- with enterocolitis;
- in case of abscess;
- for cystitis;
- with endometritis;
- with mastitis;
- for vaginitis;
- with colibacillosis;
- for diarrhea;
- for rhinitis;
- in case of pneumonia;
- for intestinal infections;
- for other pathologies caused by bacteria sensitive to penicillin.
The drug can also be used for soft tissue inflammation caused by infections. The medication is also used to prevent complications after surgery.
Please note! This medication, like other antibiotics, should only be used to treat cats under medical supervision. Do not self-medicate with Amoxicillin, as it can cause adverse health effects if administered incorrectly and inappropriately.
How to apply
The instructions for use state that Amoxicillin injections are administered to cats intramuscularly or subcutaneously. The drug should not be administered intravenously. Sterile disposable syringes are used for injections. Insulin syringes with a fine needle can be used. Shake the suspension vial well before use to ensure a homogeneous solution.
The antibacterial agent is administered once at a dose of 0.1 ml per 1 kg of body weight. If necessary, the procedure is repeated after 48 hours. In severe cases, the number of injections can be increased to 3-5. Injections are administered at two-day intervals. The duration of treatment is determined by the veterinarian based on the symptoms, the disease, and the overall health of the animal. If multiple administrations are required, the injections should be administered at different sites.
Please note: It is strictly forbidden to mix Amoxicillin with other medications in the same syringe.
Pills
When using tablets, the dosage is calculated as 12.5 mg of active ingredient per 1 kg of body weight. The concentration of the active ingredient must be taken into account. For example, a 250 mg Amoxicillin tablet is designed for a body weight of 20 kg. For an animal weighing approximately 5 kg, only a quarter of one tablet is required.
It's best to administer the tablets forcefully, placing them on the tongue. Because the medication is bitter, it can cause excessive salivation in cats. Treatment with this dosage form lasts 5-7 days. Tablets are given once daily. In severe cases, Amoxicillin is given twice daily, or the single dose is doubled to 25 mg per kg.
Contraindications and side effects
A contraindication for the use of antibacterial agents in cats is an individual intolerance to penicillins. The antibiotic should also be discontinued in the following cases:
- at renal failure and serious kidney dysfunction;
- in case of liver failure.
The decision to use the drug during pregnancy and lactation, as well as for young kittens, is made on a case-by-case basis by the doctor after weighing all the risks. Although Amoxicillin is considered safe compared to other antibiotics, overdose can cause serious developmental problems in the offspring.
Please note! Do not combine this medication with other antibiotics.
Swelling may occur at the injection site. This usually resolves on its own within 1-2 days and does not require special treatment. To prevent swelling, gently massage the injection site after administering the medicinal solution.
If intolerance occurs, an allergic reaction may develop. In this case, discontinue use of the medication. The animal is prescribed glucocorticosteroids and symptomatic treatment. The drug sometimes causes side effects:
- vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- tachycardia;
- impaired coordination of movements, etc.
The risk of side effects arises from overdose. If the above symptoms occur, discontinue use of the drug. The animal is prescribed symptomatic treatment.
When using Amoxicillin, dysbacteriosis and decreased immunity can develop, so the animal is additionally prescribed vitamin complexes or immunomodulators, as well as products containing lacto- and bifidobacteria to restore intestinal microflora.
Owner reviews
Tatyana, owner of a 3-year-old cat:
"We used Amoxicillin on our cat twice. The first time it was prescribed to us for cystitis, the second time after spaying to prevent complications. Marquise tolerated the injections well both times. We administered the injections subcutaneously (ourselves). It's an inexpensive but effective medication."
Marina, owner of a British cat:
"I had no idea cats could get pneumonia. When our British cat developed a cough, we didn't think much of it at first, but when breathing became difficult, we went to the hospital. The doctor prescribed a comprehensive treatment, but the mainstay was the antibiotic Amoxicillin. Two hours after the first injection, the cat began breathing more evenly and easily, and became more active (before that, he'd been lying almost motionless). It took two more injections for him to fully recover. Now, there's no trace of the unpleasant event."
Veterinarian Reviews
Lyudmila Anatolyevna, a veterinarian with 16 years of experience:
"Amoxicillin is an effective, broad-spectrum antibiotic. I consider this medication one of the best options for animals because it's gentle. In my practice, allergic reactions have been rare, and I've never had any deaths from this medication, even though I've used it on small kittens."
Victor, a veterinarian with 7 years of experience:
"An excellent antibacterial agent. I often prescribe it to both cats and dogs. Among its advantages, I would note its broad spectrum of action, rare side effects, high effectiveness, and affordability (available in all veterinary pharmacies). However, it is still not recommended to use it without a doctor's prescription."
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2 comments
Dyudyuka of Barbidos
The tablets in the photo are very bitter. Pharmacies sell Solutab or dispersible tablets, which can be dissolved and are not bitter, and animals accept them better.
Sasha
The kittens I found were about three months old and had green snot and were breathing through their mouths. I learned about amoxicillin and decided to give it to them. There were no results in the first week, as the kittens were still sneezing and wheezing, spraying snot. But the second week started to show results, and now they are two handsome young males, now eighteen months old. I used the following dosage: I crushed a quarter of a tablet (250 mg) and mixed it with 5 milliliters of water in a syringe (that's 1 ml per 1 kg of body weight, 5 ml = 5 kg). I gave them amoxicillin every 12 hours, along with Gamavit (I don't know how to give injections).
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