can i give my cat expired amoxicillin

Share Improve this answer Follow answered Apr 22, 2017 at 17:55 Harry V. 5,989 2 16 35 CANT FIND A VET NEAR ME TO LOOK AT MY KITTEN I HAVE SEVERAL OF THEM MOST ARE FERRAL THEY HAVE COLDS SMUCKED EYES AND STUFFED AND RUNNING NOSE AMOXICILION WOULD HELP THEM BUT CANT GET ANY HOW DO I TREAT THEM THEY KEEP GETTING WORSE THERE GOING TO DIE IF I DONT GET SUM HELP CALLED THREE DIFFERENT VETS WONT CALL BACK. Please help me. This can be a reaction, where it causes them to be nauseated, or it can just be because they don't like the taste. For this reason, it is not possible to give a dosage for amoxicillin for cats as it will depend on each individual clinical case. 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. -Other cats dont have the same symptoms Can I Give my Cat Antibiotics If our cat is taking any other medication or has any underlying medical condition, the veterinarian needs to be informed. Get it on Chewy Clavamox (Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid). It would be much too high a dose and because of how it kills bacteria and works in the body, must be given at least twice a day for several days at least. Also, like I said, last years vet didnt have us do a 12 hr fast for Willys dental cleaning. While you can safely store the medication after its expiration date, it is not recommended. the amount in the blood) in one to two hours. Yesterday's Morning Edition on NPR featured Joanne Silberner's report on human drugs and their expiration dates. Often extra-label higher doses are used by vets. font-size: 14px; 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. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that is related to penicillin. Before you use any liquid medication make sure that the color is the same and there are no abnormalities. So your vet will be careful about the dose they give you for your cat. @media screen and (max-width:480px) { Furthermore, Amoxicillin is only effective for specific bacteria. Severe allergic reactions to amoxicillin are extremely rare but can include rashes, hives, fever, and changes to red and white blood cell counts. .medication-table .table-row .item{ This type of antibiotic for cats is also used in the treatment of urogenital problems, often affecting males due to their protruding genitals. Additionally, hypersensitivity may occur in some cats. 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. Dr. Patty Khuly Giving an antibiotic willy nilly or stopping short of the whole course can prove far worse than not using antibiotics at all. Image from Instagram:@petdiseasealerts It would be prudent not to give your dog any human amoxicillin. Antibiotics are slowly losing their effectiveness, this is called antibiotic resistance. -My mom said, she spotted him possibly dripping } While it may not directly cause harm, using an expired drug may have some negative effects including: Often when people utilize old medications, they are doing so without guidance from a veterinarian. We just got our cat,Willy, back from the vet for a dental cleaning. If there is any swelling, pain or discharge at that digit, veterinary care would be needed for sure. It Might Be Time for a Pet Diet Change, Thanksgiving Food for Pets: What to Avoid and What to Share, Not So Fun in the Sun: Dog Skin Issues You May Encounter This Summer, Contribution to problems, such as antibiotic resistance (hint: you should never have leftover antibiotics if using as prescribed), Over-the-counter and prescription medication exposure are a common cause of pet (and people) poisonings, Septic tanks and sewage treatment plants are unequipped to remove all pharmaceutical residues from the water. This makes it more important to keep close tabs on the the expiration date. The recommended dosage is 50 mg (510 mg/lb) once a day. Catheterization, medication and special food are indicated. Most people have been on antibiotics at some point, as well. Gallon of milk that expired yesterday? If so, your veterinarian may have prescribed antibiotics. Many respiratory illnesses are caused by viral infections which cannot be treated by amoxicillin, although it may be prescribed to treat secondary bacterial infections. Copyright 2023 Animal Medical Hospital and 24 Hour Urgent Care. 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. Then, put one-fifth in the cats food. Epi-pens (epinephrine injections for anaphylaxis), for example. We work to make the world a better place for cats, and we're getting better for you. It was penicillin, which makes this an important medication. This being the law and all that. It may be tempting just to toss them in this weeks garbage collection or flush them, but that often isnt the responsible choice because: Instead, you should take them to a facility with a drug take back program in the area or find a drug disposal facility. 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. There are a wide variety of antibiotics that might be used, and one of the most common is amoxicillin. Typically, vets can prescribe Amoxicillin for cats to treat skin infections, and urinary tract infections. The labelled dosage of Clavamox for UTI in cats is 62.5 mg per cat twice daily for 10-14 days. The usual dose of amoxicillin in dogs and cats is 5-10 mg/lb every 12-24 hours. This is like you getting a sinus infection is often more likely than bronchitis. Lyme Disease & Its Effects To, Best and Worst States for Cats and Their Owners, I and Love and You Cat Food Review 2023: Made with Love. The generic human liquid suspension could be used, however the volume of medication in some available preparations may be far more than what is needed for a cats typical dosage period, making them less practical. WebSo, can I give my cat amoxicillin? It can be nearly impossible to tell when the chemical stability of a product is altered. First, fasting prior to bloodwork in veterinary medicine is uncommon, except for certain types of testing. } line-height: 50px; If side effects like these continue, its important to ask your vet for further advice. While human amoxicillin is actually the same medication, the dosage forms available for people may be problematic for use with cats. Many drugs, such as antibiotics, are intended to be given as a full course with no leftovers. It is the same antibiotic, but in a completely different dosage and mixture and is specifically designed for our pet friends. Answer: Only if Approved by Your Vet Amoxicillin specifically targets certain strains of bacteria and therefore is not prescribed for all kinds of infections. Longer than 2 years, then Id replace. This is what I would do and does not mean that it is right or wrong. As a bactericidal antibiotic, amoxicillin has the ability to kill certain kinds of bacteria causing infections. 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. Amoxicillin will only work against certain bacteria. As odd as it might sound, human amoxicillin can be used for cats. Amoxicillin for cats Dosage Chart by weight. wants you to know why the dates on your pets medications matter. Please correct me if I am wrong. Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic does not provide any veterinary medical services or guidance via the Internet. For some medications, I would feel comfortable using on my own pets if they were expired by 1 to 2 years. Given the wide spectrum of applications, it can be used to treat a wide range of infections. Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid is common in these circumstances. Turns out that my veterinary hospital employer follows the pharmacy rules. Amoxicillin for cats is often one of the first drugs of choice. Doing so frequently can make the medication ineffective. In veterinary medicine, the most common forms are liquid and pills. Liquid } The labelled dosage of Clavamox for UTI in cats is 62.5 mg per cat twice daily for 10-14 days. Your furry friend might have pain when she urinates, causing discomfort. In your experience, does this seem unnecessary and far afield? Yes, in an ideal and safe dose Amoxicillin is safe for your cat. Cats should never be given Amoxicillin prescribed for human use, however convenient it may be for pet owners. But then, there are plenty of times I'll ask an owner to stop a med and start it again. Kittens can also have certain viral infections that are routinely tested for that can contribute to poor growth and health problems. Potential Side effects of Amoxicillin for Cats, Amoxicillin for cats without vet prescription, How much Diazepam is safe for cats? Give all of the amoxicillin that is prescribed for your pet, since symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated. Cats are prone to contracting bacterial, fungal or viral diseases that left untreated can lead to significant health complications. Yes and no. Unfortunately its not clear that your cat truly has a UTI with what youve described, or that a UTI if present, is the only issue your cat has. It does so by blocking bacteria's protein-creating process, a process on which the bacteria depend for survival. If we do see any adverse side effects from amoxicillin for cats, we need to inform the vet. The best I could suggest generally for something like that is to use very dilute chlorhexidine as a soak for 5-10 minutes at least twice a day. Liver and kidney damage may occur. Also, side effects will occur in any cat if too much has been ingested. .medication-table{ July 3, 2018 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. WebSo, can I give my cat amoxicillin? 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. 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. Other precautions to guard against this are taken as well, including the placement of the endotracheal tube that seals off the airway and is only removed once the pet can start swallowing again. Antibiotics are a class of medication used to treat bacterial infections. Always, Disposing of drugs, particularly controlled substances, is not always straightforward. shes 8 years old and has been healthy until recently (blood in urine). Giving the medicine in the safe amount will not harm your kitty, however amoxicillin can cause the below mentioned side effects in your tom or queen. To be honest, many worry that there are liability issues involved if they tell you a medication is okay to use and it is not. WebHowever, a lot of cats may be allergic to penicillin and can develop side effects: Chronic diarrhea. As the NPR report finally concluded, there's no need to trifle with meds that potentially offer immediate, life-saving benefits. Obviously for very small or very large cats this dose needs to be adjusted at a veterinarian's recommendation. Does amoxicillin expire? Are they safe Scheduling an appointment with your vet would be the best thing to do here. Do not overdose on the medicine. Amoxicillin For Cats Overview Like regular amoxicillin, Clavamox also comes in liquid and pill formulations. Amoxicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic, But blood tests only reveal evidence of kidney failure in pets once 72% or more of the kidneys have been lost. Common Names: Common Veterinary Antibiotics In that case, you can skip the missed dose. If not 50mg available, open the 250 mg capsule and divide it into fifths. text-align: center; It has been opined that a significant percentage of humanity are infected, without overt signs or symptoms. The best thing is to have your kitty checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible. This article is a complete and comprehensive guide about the use of Amoxicillin(Aminopenicillin) for felines. However, if your furry friend is the type that will eat everything in the bowl but the tablet and leave it at the bottom, you may need to consider liquid if you are not adept at administering a pill directly into your cats mouth for her to swallow it. WebThe easiest way to give your cat liquid medication is to mix it in with some canned food. Studies have shown that amoxicillin is effective against bacteria found in the skin and mouth. Due to this, antibiotics are only prescribed by vets if it is absolutely necessary and other medical options have been exhausted. Tetracycline for cats is a multipurpose antibiotic typically available as a capsule or tablet. Antibiotics for Cats If you miss a dose, give it to your cat unless it's almost time for the next dose. 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This antibiotic has been around for a long time and is very effective against many types of bacteria. overdose } 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. Any potential risks of those decisions should always typically be discussed. Dr. Vanderhoof lives in the Northern Virginia area with his family, including 3 cats. In cats, these can occur as hives or labored breathing. Please rush him to vet or hospital, as uric acid crystals block the urethra (which will kill your cat within a few days). font-size: 24px; Amoxicillin typically comes in both a liquid form as an oral suspension as well as tablet form. Amoxicillin has many brand names as well as generic forms. This is the safest way to use the expiration dates on the package. As with any medication, there is a possibility of side effects. (amoxicillin?) 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? It can also be used for gastrointestinal infections. Incomplete antibiotic courses, even if not expired, can result in lack of treatment, subjecting the pet to relapse or even antibiotic resistance. flex-wrap: wrap; Hi Dominique, thanks for your question. One human dose equals ~10 cat doses. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. 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. Cats can be given amoxicillin. Therefore, its always important for a vet to decide if use of an antibiotic is warranted. Generally, an antibiotic injection is fast acting, which means it might help your pet feel better soon after she receives the shot. The result is that antibiotics may not be effective in the future when they are really needed. Your local environmental authorities, department of public health, or DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration) can also be helpful in determining the best way to dispose of expired medications. It is an antibiotic prescribed for human use to treat urinary tract infections, pneumonia and bronchitis, skin infections, and infections of ear, nose, and throat. Today it isn't used as commonly. 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. Copyright 2022 by FelineLiving.net -Designed by Thrive Themes Expiration Dates on Veterinary Drugs: Do They Matter? Apart from feeling pretty stupid for not knowing of this basic law (it's an FDA regulation), I had this immediate, visceral reaction to this information: That's just wrong! As mentioned before, amoxicillin isn't used in cases where viruses or fungal infections are suspected. Hi Jennifer, thanks for your question.