Unfortunately, pets can also be sick. And in some situations, it is simply impossible to cure them without the use of antibiotics. The drug "Amoxicillin" (for cats) will be considered in this article.
Let's talk about its pharmacological properties, indications and contraindications for use, as well as reviews of people who have tested the effect of the drug on their pet.
general information
Amoxicillin (for cats) is a semi-synthetic antibacterial drug. It is produced in Spain by Invesa.
The tool refers to penicillin antibiotics .
There are three forms of drug release:
- Suspension for intramuscular administration.
- Powder for mixing with feed or water.
- Tablets.
All types of funds are equally effective and differ only in the method of application and the dosages necessary for treatment.
Amoxicillin tablets must be kept in a dry, dark place. The suspension is stored in the refrigerator. At the same time, the shelf life of an open bottle is 14 days. At the end of this period, the drug is not suitable for use and must be disposed of. The powder is considered by many to be inconvenient to use, so they rarely buy it.
Pharmacological properties
"Amoxicillin" (for cats) is able to slow down the formation of the cell wall of the microorganism, inhibit the synthesis of transpeptidase and carboxypeptidase enzymes, which leads to the death of bacteria that caused the development of the disease.
The drug has a fast onset of action (already 1-2 hours after its introduction into the body) and its duration (up to 48 hours), which is achieved thanks to a special oily filler.
The tool is able to accumulate in the body. The highest concentrations are achieved in the muscles, intestines, stomach, kidneys and liver. A slight accumulation is also observed in blood plasma.
The active substance of the drug is able to penetrate into the brain and bone fluid, therefore, the drug is not prescribed if there are suspicions of inflammatory diseases of the meninges.
The product is excreted from the body of the animal with urine, bile and milk.
Indications for use
In what situations do veterinarians prescribe Amoxicillin for cats? Its use is necessary in the presence of bacterial infections in the animal with the following diseases:
- in the respiratory system: bronchopneumonia, rhinitis, pneumonia, bronchitis;
- in the gastrointestinal tract: enterocolitis, enteritis, gastroenteritis;
- in the genitourinary system: pyelonephritis, urethritis, endometritis, metritis, cystitis.
In addition, the drug is used as a prophylactic after surgery, as well as with actinomycosis, leptospirosis, abscesses, agalactia, various wounds, diseases of soft tissues and skin, inflammation of the joints, mastitis.
Contraindications
In some cases, Amoxicillin (for cats) may be contraindicated. This happens if the animal has hypersensitivity to the main active substance or to any other penicillin antibiotics.
The use of the drug during lactation is also undesirable, since it is also excreted through milk. The exception is only the treatment of mastitis .
Side effects and overdose
Amoxicillin is generally readily tolerated by animals. Side effects can occur only in the form of allergic reactions, which disappear soon after drug withdrawal. In some situations, corticosteroids and adrenaline may be given to the cat to eliminate unforeseen symptoms.
An overdose of the drug is not accompanied by intoxication of the animal.
Method of use of "Amoxicillin" in the form of a solution
How to use Amoxicillin suspension for cats? The manual provides the following information.
Immediately before use, the drug bottle should be shaken well.
Needles and syringes should be dry, moisture should be avoided in the drug.
Injection to the pet can be done subcutaneously or intramuscularly. After this, you need to do a light massage at the injection site. It will prevent the appearance of a post-injection abscess and at the same time contribute to the rapid absorption of the suspension.
How much is a drug like Amoxicillin needed for cats? The dosage required for the injection depends on the weight of the animal, it is equal to 1 ml of suspension for every 10 kilograms of its weight.
If such a need arises, a second injection can be done after 48 hours.
The use of "Amoxicillin" in tablets
If for some reason you can’t treat your pet with the described drug, the veterinarian can recommend such analogues as Amoxin, Xiclav, Amoxiclav and so on.
Tablets differ from the suspension by the presence of clavulanic acid in their composition, which enhances the effective action of the agent.
This form of release is especially convenient in the treatment of small kittens and aggressive animals.
As for pills such as Amoxicillin, the dose for the cat should be calculated by the veterinarian clearly according to the attached instructions. This is done taking into account the weight of the animal: 12.5 mg of the drug per kilogram of weight. For example, if a cat weighs 2.5 kg, she will need only 1/4 tablet, if 3-5 kg - 1/2, if 5-7.5 kg - 3/4, if 8-10 kg - a whole pill.
It is possible to give medicine to an animal both with food and after a meal.
special instructions
It is worth paying special attention to several important points.
Firstly, the intravenous use of Amoxicillin is strictly prohibited.
Secondly, the product should not be mixed in one syringe with any other drug.
Thirdly, the use of a medication cannot be prescribed for the treatment of diseases caused by microorganisms that produce penicillinase.
The fourth point concerns the appointment of such a drug as Amoxicillin, a pregnant cat. Penicillins are known to penetrate the placental barrier. However, information about whether they harm the fetus in any way does not exist. Therefore, the use of antibiotics of this type should be approached with extreme caution, first weigh the pros and cons.
Reviews about the drug "Amoxicillin" for cats
Is the product really as effective as the manufacturer claims? The answer to the question can be found in the reviews of people who used the drug to treat their pets.
Cat lovers note the high effectiveness of Amoxicillin.
Reviews of the owners of the animals suggest that the tool copes with many infectious diseases. Pets, which even today refused food, were also lethargic and inactive, a few days after the start of treatment with the drug returned to normal life and completely got rid of the disease.
The low cost of the product cannot be ignored. For example, the price of Amoxicillin tablets is in the range of 65-100 rubles per pack. Suspension is a little more expensive - from 105 to 200 rubles per bottle.
The variety of release forms is also pleasing, since in some cases it is convenient to simply mix the tablet with food, while other situations require extra-muscular administration of the drug.
But Amoxicillin has some drawbacks. Like any other antibiotic, the tool kills not only pathogenic, but also beneficial bacteria in the body. This threatens the animal with the occurrence of dysbiosis. Therefore, it is recommended that, along with Amoxicillin, give your pet medications that help restore microflora.