Amoxicillin for cats: what is it for and dosage
A common question that people often have about their pet is if they can administer some type of antibiotic or other medicines used by humans, in order to help them improve when they get sick. The cats predispose to contract bacterial diseases and this possibility increases if the animal was recently abandoned in the street, as it could be infected by any other cat or environmental factor.
Any disease with a bacterial characteristic should be treated with drugs, such as amoxicillin, but this does not mean that you can administer an antibiotic on your own, since you could produce a greater disease. So, if you were wondering if you can give amoxicillin to a cat or not, read on because, then, we'll tell you all about this antibiotic so you can help your feline friend as much 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 veterinarian's prescription, because it is absorbed faster and easier than other antibiotics and, in addition, felines usually tolerate it well. So, never try to administer it on your own, since it will be the veterinarian who will prescribe it depending on the weight of the cat and the severity of the infection. If given a higher dose could cause damage to the body of the animal in general, especially in 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 medication, keep in mind that amoxicillin exists in pills and in liquid suspension.
Surely if you had this doubt you will also ask in general, "Can I give my cat antibiotic ?" The answer is similar to the previous one, since amoxicillin is an antibiotic . It is very important not to give antibiotics to the cat in any way, since, normally, the antibiotics used for these are the same as those indicated for humans and, due to the great differences between the metabolism and human physiology and that of the animal as well as its weight, you can cause serious damage, so it is so important to always visit the veterinarian to prescribe an antibiotic adapted to the dose and metabolism of your cat. It always follows its 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 article we explain how to give a medicine to a cat.
Amoxicillin for cats: what is it for?
If you were wondering what amoxicillin is for cats pay attention: it is an antibacterial medicine, so it serves to fight bacterial infections .
In fact, amoxicillin is a well-known antibacterial drug, since, in addition to people, veterinarians often prescribe feline patients, and other species, who have contracted a bacterial infection because it is effective and safe, so it is very successful at making that 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 the bacteria that are sensitive to it, which are responsible for the cat's infection. It eliminates a considerable amount of bacteria that need oxygen to live and reproduce as well as those that do not need it, but it is 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).
Dosage of amoxicillin for cats - general indications
Generally, the dose of amoxicillin for cats recommended by veterinarians is 10 mg of amoxicillin per 1 kg of weight 2 times a day if administered orally. This, normally, is 1 tablet or tablet for every 5 kg of animal weight every 12 hours. Following these indications, we can deduce that the recommended doses, generally, for each shot, 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 status, age, and so on. Therefore, it is vital that a veterinarian prescribes it and indicates the exact dose for your cat in each situation.
Side effects of amoxicillin in cats
Although most cats do not suffer any side effects and if they happen they are usually not serious. However, it must be taken into account and go to the veterinarian before any of these adverse effects of amoxicillin in cats :
- Hypersensitivities There have been cases where allergic reactions to amoxicillin have occurred, so if you know that the cat has allergies, you will not be given that antibiotic. Faced with an allergy like this, it is necessary to go to the veterinarian at the moment it is detected.
- Gastrointestinal problems may arise that result in vomiting and diarrhea, so if this happens it is best that you administer amoxicillin with food, which can reduce these symptoms.
- Very rare, cases of neurotoxicity have been seen, which happens with very high doses or taking long-term amoxicillin.
- Although this antibiotic is not toxic to the liver, a high level of liver enzymes has been seen after the use of amoxicillin.
- Difficulty breathing and increased heart rate (very rare).
Now that you are very knowledgeable about this antibiotic, remember to always go to the veterinarian if you notice any symptoms that your cat might be sick and remember not to administer medications on your own .