In veterinary practice, antiviral drugs for cats are often used, which can be released both in injections and in tablets. Medicines are designed to combat viral infection, and contribute to the speedy recovery of the animal. However, each medication has an individual degree of effectiveness, a spectrum of exposure and refers to different types of chemical compounds. Antimicrobial medicines intended for humans can be used to treat cats and other pets. But the appointment, in any case, should be done by a specialist.
Why prescribe?
An antiviral drug for cats helps to quickly stop the dangerous symptoms of bacterial-viral and infectious pathologies of various etiologies. Veterinarians have gained extensive practice with the use of such drugs and often recommend them for the following diseases:
- Aujeszky's disease;
- coronavirus infections;
- adenoviruses;
- viral leukemia;
- leptospirosis;
- panleukopenia.
Antiviral for cats is usually not prescribed alone, but is used in complex therapy. Most often, medications are combined with specific medicines used to relieve symptoms. It can be hyperimmune serums and vaccines. These funds directly affect the growth and development of viruses.
Exposure spectrum
All antiviral drugs for cats have a different mechanism of action. Some affect the process of reproduction of microorganisms directly, while others affect the cellular processes responsible for the development of dangerous cells.
Antiviral medicines used in veterinary practice can also be represented by biologically active substances:
- interferon inducers;
- interferon;
- interferon-based drugs.
Interferon is a universal action substance that has a detrimental effect on the envelope of the virus. They can be both natural and synthetically produced. If you enter drugs based on them, then in the body of the animal begins to actively produce its own interferon protein, which is intensely struggling with the disease. As a result, a pronounced antiviral, antihumorogenic and immunocorrective reaction can be expected.
Veterinarians often prescribe an antiviral for cats and for prevention. In any case, there are a lot of similar medicines. They are presented in the form:
- pills
- injection
- suspensions;
- creams;
- gels;
- ointments.
Depending on the severity of the disease and its type, the veterinarian must choose the necessary remedy.
Need for application
Antiviral drugs for cats have found widespread use in the treatment of respiratory viral and bacterial pathologies, as well as in therapy:
- gastrointestinal diseases;
- urinary tract infections;
- eye diseases;
- skin problems;
- soft tissue damage.
This group of drugs often has a wide spectrum of effects, so it can be used in combination with the following problems;
- infection by worms;
- allergic manifestations;
- cold symptoms;
- in chronic liver and kidney failure.
Many veterinarians prescribe antiviral drugs for cats (injections) after surgery to avoid complications caused by the active reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms.
Commonly prescribed antiviral agents
All such medicines have a different biochemical composition. Depending on this, they can be effective only with a certain type of disease. However, there are antiviral drugs for cats with a wide spectrum of action. In this case, the drugs will be effective against many common stamps of microorganisms, both gram-negative and gram-positive.
Among the large number of drugs successfully combating viral pathologies of cats, often prescribed are:
- Anandin
- Cycloferon;
- Milbemax
- "Forvet";
- "Kanamycin";
- Ribaflox;
- "Comedon";
- "Polliferin A";
- Fosprenil.
Despite the general availability of such drugs, it is important that they be prescribed by a specialist. Only a veterinarian will be able to assess the degree of complexity of the pathology, the general condition of the animal, its age and related health problems.
Treatment of pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract
For the treatment of diseases associated with problems of the gastrointestinal tract, Forvet is often prescribed - an antiviral drug for cats of a wide spectrum. The medicine is available in the format of a sterile solution, which is used for injection. The drug is low toxic, therefore, it is often prescribed for weakened pets, young individuals.
The main active ingredient is panavira. The component is produced from shoots of Solanum tuberosum and is an extract of the polysaccharide complex, which contains the following components:
- ramnose;
- xylose;
- arabinose;
- glucose;
- mannose;
- galactose;
- organic acids.
Also, the drug has auxiliary components: water for injection and sodium chloride.
The drug "Forvet" stimulates the synthesis of an animal’s own interferon, which successfully fights against microorganisms. In addition, the effect of the drug is based on the inhibition of the attachment of viruses to the affected cells, which leads to a decrease in their pathogenic effects and a speedy recovery.
Antiviral drug for cats with rhinotracheitis
The Fosprenil drug is very popular in veterinary practice. It is a medication of a wide range of effects. In addition to the antiviral effect, it has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. This antiviral drug is available for cats in injections. The sterile solution is represented by the main active ingredient - the disodium salt of polyprenol phosphate.
The main purpose of the injection is to cure rhinotracheitis in domestic animals. Also, veterinarians often prescribe it for the following diseases:
- viral hepatitis;
- calcinovirus infection;
- peritonitis;
- infectious enteritis.
Veterinarians warn that rhinotracheitis is a fairly complex disease. With delayed or illiterate treatment, the death of a pet is possible. Therefore, if this pathology is suspected, it is important to show the cat in time to the doctor, who will prescribe Fosprenil.
To improve the quality of treatment and accelerate the healing process of a pet, interferon preparations can be used, which combine well with Fosprenil. Introduce it intramuscularly. The dosage is determined by the veterinarian, but in the absence of other prescriptions use 0.2 ml of solution per kilogram of cat's weight. The drug is canceled only on the second day of normalization. There are no special contraindications for the drug. It is worth highlighting only the hypersensitivity of the cat to the individual components of the drug.
The drug for treatment and prevention
Often, not only for treatment, but also for prevention, antiviral drugs for cats are used. One such medicine is Kamedon. It is indicated for animals weakened after illness to avoid a recurrence of infection. Also, veterinarians advise using the drug after treatment for severe viral or bacterial infections, or during the treatment of complications.
The drug has two properties:
- interferon-inducing;
- immunomodulatory.
A medication is produced in the form of a transparent sterile solution, which is used to administer injections. The active composition of the drug is as follows:
- 10-methylenecarboxylate-9-acridone sodium salt;
- water for injections.
After injection, the solution quickly spreads through the bloodstream and produces its own interferons in the cat’s body. After 20 minutes, the maximum concentration of the active component in the blood of the animal is noted.
"Kamedon" is indicated for the prevention of especially dangerous animal diseases, and also has proven itself in the treatment of:
- all forms of plague;
- tumor processes.
The drug is prescribed to be administered once a day. To calculate the required dosage, you should adhere to the data: 0.16 ml of solution is taken per kilogram of cat's weight. Usually, the course of treatment lasts 7 days, but with obvious signs of illness or delayed therapy, treatment can be extended up to 10 days. Contraindications include severe renal failure.
Antiviral for chronic pathology and acute course of the disease
In veterinary practice, "Anandin" is often used, which has proven itself in the treatment of acute infectious pathologies and the chronic course of viral infection.
The medication is listed as an antiviral drug for cats with a wide spectrum of action. It contributes to:
- rapid healing of wounds;
- suppression of pathogens of any type;
- anti-inflammatory effect;
- immunomodulatory effect.
"Anandin" is available in the form of a solution for injection, but also in pharmacies ointment for external use and ear drops are presented.
Drops "Anandin"
Drops are needed to cure acute otitis media, and are also indicated for getting rid of ear mites. The dosage is three drops in each ear canal. In this case, the procedure must be repeated three times a day. The course of treatment usually lasts up to seven days.
Ointment "Anandin"
The medicine is prescribed if there are damaged areas on the cat's body. The ointment is rubbed directly onto the affected area and near the wound. Usually the course of therapy lasts a week, after which recovery is observed.
Intramuscular injection
Anandine may be administered by intramuscular injection. A sterile solution is used for this. To calculate the dosage, the following scheme is used: for one kilogram of the weight of the cat, you need to take 0.2 ml of the product. The necessary course is determined by the doctor. On average, it is from four to seven days.
Antiviral drug for cats in tablets
Milbemax drug gained great popularity among pet breeders. It is available in tablet format, so the owner can independently treat his pet. The medication is intended for:
- successful cure for helminthic invasion, which was provoked by cystodes and nematodes;
- prevention of infection by worms.
Melbimax has the following composition:
- praziquantel;
- milbemycin oskoy.
- microcrystalline cellulose;
- povidone;
- magnesium stearate;
- sodium carmellose;
- hypromellose, macrogol;
- talc.
In order for the animal to swallow the proposed medicine, a food supplement is added to it, which gives the tablet the aroma and taste of meat.
Dosage will depend on the weight of the cat:
- 2-4 kg - half a pill;
- 4-8 kg - one tablet;
- more than 8 kg - 1.5 tablets.
Milbemax is produced with a different dosage of the active substance. The antiviral drug for kittens in tablets is colored pink, while red pills are intended for adults. However, it is forbidden to offer medication to kittens whose weight is less than 500 g. When treating young individuals, one pink pill is used.
Antiviral drugs - runny nose in a cat for a long time
A cat may also have a runny nose. The causes of the pathology can be different: from viruses to the introduction of allergens. It is possible to cure the pathology at home, but a doctor’s consultation is necessary. The veterinarian will be able to make an accurate diagnosis, establish the source of the problem and recommend the necessary drugs.
If the animal has abundant secretions that worry him for a long time, then the introduction of immunomodulating and antiviral medications is necessary. The animal is also shown physiotherapy. The usual treatment regimen for a cold in a cat is as follows:
- "Doxycycline." On the first day they give one tablet per kilogram of weight. The next two days - 1/10 pills per kilogram of weight.
- Fosprenil. Intramuscularly administered, due to the calculation of 0.5 ml per kilogram of weight for seven days.
- You can dig in the nose "Naphthyzinum" for children.
Do not forget about good nutrition and regular hygienic processing of bedding.
When a serious problem overtakes
Sometimes a cat develops a disease similar in symptoms to human AIDS. However, such a pathology can in no way harm the breeder, which is confirmed by numerous laboratory studies.
VIC is an immunodeficiency virus that affects cats. Infection usually occurs through the bites of sick animals. The host may notice the first symptoms of pathology about a month after infection. But at this stage they appear very weakly and do not pose a threat to the cat. Basically, the pet looks more depressed, his apathy is fixed. Further, the condition normalizes and the disease may not manifest itself for several years. Only after 5-7 years, you can observe certain health problems that will be more pronounced if the cat has experienced stress or has reduced immunity due to frequent illnesses. Mortality is caused not so much by the virus itself as by complications of secondary diseases, against which a weakened organism cannot cope.
How does VIC treat a cat?
The main treatment method is to prescribe antiviral drugs for cats with VIC. But the difficulty lies in the fact that the animal needs to take them throughout life. If you start therapy as soon as possible, then you can achieve positive results, with the cancellation of all the symptoms increase with a vengeance. But such drugs have a significant drawback. They provoke the development of anemia and the development of hepatitis. There is no universal cure for VIC in cats. All the means offered by the veterinarian can only reduce symptoms, slow down the development of the disease, but not destroy the virus.
Antiviral for VIC
If a cat is diagnosed with this, then only the veterinarian will be able to accurately prescribe treatment and calculate the dosage. It should be understood that the virus itself basically does not manifest itself in any way. It is always necessary to treat the underlying disease. The main medicines are as follows:
- "Azidothivudine." It is effective if the cat has stomatitis or neurological disorders are recorded.
- Didanosine. It is used for disorders of the nervous system. It has pronounced side effects.
- Interferon Used in high doses. It does not have a strong effect on infected cats, but it is useful in certain diseases.
- "Zidovudine." Designed for humans, but can be applied to pets.
Of course, not one of the suggested medications will heal the cat completely, but with correctly formulated therapy it will help it to remain cheerful and active for a long time.