A frequent question that people often have about their pet is whether it can be administered some type of antibiotic or other medicines used by humans, in order to help you get well when you are sick. Felines predispose to contracting bacterial diseases and this possibility increases if the animal was recently abandoned in the street, since it could be infected by any other cat or environmental factor.
Any disease with a bacterial characteristic must be treated with drugs, such as amoxicillin, but this does not mean that you can administer an antibiotic on your own, since you could cause a greater evil. So if you were wondering if amoxicillin can be given to a cat Or not, keep reading because, below, we will tell you all about this antibiotic so that you can help your feline friend as best as possible.
Can a cat be given amoxicillin? – the answer
The answer to your question is that yes you can give amoxicillin to your cat under the vet’s prescription, as it is absorbed faster and easier than other antibiotics and, in addition, cats tend to tolerate it well. Thus, never try to administer it on your own, since it will be the vet who will prescribe it depending on the weight of the cat and the severity of the infection. If a higher dose is administered, it could damage the animal’s body in general, especially the digestive system and organs that are responsible for cleaning the body, such as the kidneys and liver. If you are going to use this medicine, keep in mind that amoxicillin exists in pills and in liquid suspension.
Surely if you had this doubt you will also ask yourself in general, “¿can i give my cat an antibiotic? “The answer is similar to the previous one, since amoxicillin is an antibiotic. It’s very important do not give the cat antibiotics yourself under no circumstances, since, normally, the antibiotics used for these are the same as those indicated for humans and, due to the great differences between human and animal metabolism and physiology as well as their weight, you can cause serious damage, That’s why it’s so important always visit the vet to prescribe an antibiotic adapted to the dose and metabolism of your feline. Always follow their guidelines both in the type of antibiotic, as in the dose, the frequency of the doses and the duration of the antibiotic treatment.
In this other oneHOWTO article we explain how to give a cat medicine.
Amoxicillin for cats: what is it for
If you were wondering what is amoxicillin for cats for pay attention: it is an antibacterial drug, so it is used to fight bacterial infections.
In fact, amoxicillin is a antibacterial drug well known, since, in addition to using it by people, veterinarians frequently prescribe it to feline patients, and of other species, who have contracted a bacterial infection because it is effective and safe, so it is very successful at the time to make the infection disappear.
This antibiotic is part of the group of aminopenicillins, which are sometimes also called ampicillins or penicillins.
The goal of amoxicillin is to kill bacteria that are sensitive to it, which are responsible for the infection of the cat. It eliminates a considerable amount both of bacteria that need oxygen to live and reproduce and those that do not need it, but not effective against any type of bacteria.
Amoxicillin for cats is used against a wide variety of urinary, respiratory and ear infections or otitis, as well as for skin diseases (feline miliary dermatitis and pyoderma).
Amoxicillin dosage for cats – general indications
Generally, the Amoxicillin dosage for cats recommended by veterinarians is 10 mg of amoxicillin per 1 kg of body weight 2 times a day if administered orally. This is normally 1 tablet or lozenge for every 5 kg of the animal’s weight every 12 hours. Following these indications, we can deduce that the recommended doses, generally, for each intake, that is, twice a day or every 12 hours, are:
- From 1 kg to 2.5 kg: 1/2 tablet.
- From 2.6 kg to 5 kg: 1 tablet.
- From 5.1 kg to 7.5 kg: 1 tablet and 1/5.
- From 7.6 kg to 10 kg: 2 tablets.
However, in each feline it can vary for various reasons, such as other factors of health, age, and so on. Therefore, it is vital that prescribed by a vet and you indicate the exact dose for your cat in every situation.
Side Effects of Amoxicillin in Cats
Although most cats do not suffer any side effects and if they do occur they are usually not serious. However, you have to take it into account and go to the vet before any of these Adverse Effects of Amoxicillin in Cats:
- Hypersensitivities There have been cases where allergic reactions to amoxicillin have occurred, so if the cat is known to have allergies, this antibiotic will not be administered. Faced with an allergy like this, it is necessary to go to the vet at the moment it is detected.
- Gastrointestinal problems can appear that lead to vomiting and diarrhea, so if this happens it is best to administer amoxicillin with food, which can reduce these symptoms.
- Very rare, cases of neurotoxicity have been seen, which happens with very high doses or long-term taking of amoxicillin.
- Although this antibiotic is not toxic to the liver, a high level of liver enzymes has been seen after the use of amoxicillin.
- Shortness of breath and increased heart rate (very rare).
Now that you are a great connoisseur of this antibiotic, remember to always go to the vet if you notice any symptoms that your cat could be sick and remember not administer medications on your own.
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