can i give my cat expired amoxicillin

Often extra-label higher doses are used by vets. Antibiotics: 5 Things Cat Owners Should Know It can also be used for gastrointestinal infections. Get new medication. As a bactericidal antibiotic, it has the ability to kill certain strains of bacteria causing infections. Some, like amoxicillin, are bactericidal, which means they kill the bacteria. Fresh Breath. Cats should never be given Amoxicillin prescribed for human use, however convenient it may be for pet owners. Knowing about the safe Amoxicillin dosage for cats is essential for every pet owner. Share Improve this answer Follow answered Apr 22, 2017 at 17:55 Harry V. 5,989 2 16 35 DONT skip doses or fail to use the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed to your cat. While we should always take the prescribed dosage, some people either do not or for whatever reason have some extra in their medicine cabinet. Your furry friend might have pain when she urinates, causing discomfort. Because Amoxicillin is only effective for very specific strains of bacteria only a veterinarian would know which antibiotic to prescribe for your cat for its specific affliction. This antibiotic drug binds directly to certain parts of the cell membrane that are infected by bacteria and fight to stop and inhibit the development of the cell wall and thus weaken the kills staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria stability and kill them. The liquid amoxicillin is generally at a concentration of 100 milligrams per milliliter. Hopefully, there may be a vet in your area that could help provide some more specific guidance. Most vets are using it off-label at every 8-12 hours, similar to the labeled dosage for dogs. A common question that clients ask iscan they use expired medications for their cats? Antibiotics, including amoxicillin, can cause a range of side effects for cats. Your veterinarian may help prescribe the antibiotic dose for your kitty after observing physically. Liquid I poured 90% of the capsule out and she swallowed the other 10%. Dr. Patty Khuly For more information, or to ask about an expired veterinary medication, please call us. How much amoxicillin can I give my cat? If so, your veterinarian may have prescribed antibiotics. If you miss a dose, give it to your cat unless it's almost time for the next dose. Directions. Most people have been on antibiotics at some point, as well. Does amoxicillin expire? Are they safe We just got our cat,Willy, back from the vet for a dental cleaning. Giving this single dose would be more likely to cause GI upset, have minimal effect on a UTI, and promote bacterial resistance to amoxicillin. : Given the wide spectrum of applications, it can be used to treat a wide range of infections. Giving an antibiotic willy nilly or stopping short of the whole course can prove far worse than not using antibiotics at all. Salivation in excess. A Last Recourse Prescribed by Veterinarian This commentary allows vets to say what they think and give you, the pet owner, the opportunity to consider another view. WebAntibiotics for cats. Antibiotics, including amoxicillin, can cause a range of side effects for cats. Studies have shown that amoxicillin alone is often effective at a dosage of eleven to twenty-two milligrams per kilogram of body weight. Medication Type: While there are many medicines suitable for human use which are unsuitable for cats, amoxicillin is not one of them. Hello Loreen, thank you for commenting! Obviously for very small or very large cats this dose needs to be adjusted at a veterinarian's recommendation. But beyond that, I cannot assist with specific dosing for your cat beyond what is generally found in the article. Many drugs, such as antibiotics, are intended to be given as a full course with no leftovers. Often extra-label higher doses are used by vets. We brought him the blood work-up results for a dental cleaning last year from another vet. Amoxicillin is a highly effective antibiotic, but it will not work as well after its expiration date if you have already taken it. The reason is that it will lose its potency over time, and it may even cause your symptoms to worsen. I need to do something instead of waiting till next week. Your email address will not be published. Then, put one-fifth in the cats food. WebHowever, a lot of cats may be allergic to penicillin and can develop side effects: Chronic diarrhea. Is Amoxicillin something you should give your cat? Most liquid medications that are not reconstituted also have a shelf life of 1 to 2 years but once reconstituted (mixed with water such as powered amoxicillin is mixed with water) most expire in about 7 to 14 days depending on the specific product. It can also cause bacterial resistance to develop. Read between the lines: We don't want to be legally responsible. Amoxicillin } Pretty sure my cat has a UTI But this is Some medications must be kept within a certain temperature range, while others might be light sensitive. There are liquid medications (such as insulin) that are made in smaller vials so if you are using small quantities in a month consider asking the pharmacist if it is available in smaller portions (which are generally less expensive) to minimize waste. : Give double dose for first dose. Amoxicillin For Cats Usage, Dosages And Side Effects, Buprenex For Cats - Usage, Dosage and Side Effects, Melatonin for Cats Uses And Potential Side Effects, Are Laser Pointers Bad For Cats? In your experience, does this seem unnecessary and far afield? Amoxicillin administered to humans is very different from the veterinary formulation.This variation arises from the chemical components used in making human-grade amoxicillin that can be toxic to canines.These chemicals include Many respiratory illnesses are caused by viral infections which cannot be treated by amoxicillin, although it may be prescribed to treat secondary bacterial infections. @media screen and (max-width:1024px) { Your veterinarian can better decide the safe dose of Amoxicillin for your feline after observing the severity of the illness and your cat physically. Amoxicillin for cats is often used. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Antibiotics: 5 Things Cat Owners Should Know The price for weekend vet visit is crazy. Use of Antibiotics Potent Immunity. Use of antibiotics and antiinflammatories for dental procedures may vary based on an individual veterinarians judgment in a particular case. The best and ideal way to give Amoxicillin to Cats is to follow your vets guidelines and prescription. the amount in the blood) in one to two hours. In fact, rhinotracheitis is particular prevalent in kittens. Yesterday's Morning Edition on NPR featured Joanne Silberner's report on human drugs and their expiration dates. Turns out that my veterinary hospital employer follows the pharmacy rules. Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic Staff, Sluggish Pet? Amoxicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic, Liquid amoxicillin needs to be kept in the refrigerator except when you are giving it to your cat. Probiotics for Cats Because this way people are less likely to stop their drugs and start them up again whenever they please. And an employee who'd worked at yet another hospital reported the same about her previous employer's policy. Since every cat is an individual, each cat will respond differently to amoxicillin. MondayThursday: 7 a.m.8 p.m. Dont make your cat suffer any longer! Our veterinarian will decide on the most suitable administration method and an injectable form is also available. All opinions are those of the Irreverent Veterinarian and not the views of PetPlace.com and are not endorsed by PetPlace.com. Essential Considerations, Why Do Cats Rub Their Faces On Corners? 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. 1. Your veterinarian might want to culture the abscess or wound. PetPlace may be compensated when you click on or make a purchase using the links in this article. Doing so frequently can make the medication ineffective. So why make them come in again for a "fresh" round? Amoxicillin for humans is usually prepared in tablet form, but it is often administered to cats in a paste or oral suspension, as well as pills. Changes in health status, other concurrent conditions, and the addition of new medications or supplements could make an old prescription inappropriate. Give all of the amoxicillin that is prescribed for your pet, since symptoms may begin to improve before the infection is completely treated. The labelled dosage of Clavamox for UTI in cats is 62.5 mg per cat twice daily for 10-14 days. But this isnt the main point of my question). In any case, when no improvement is seen after the first few days of treatment, the veterinarian needs to be informed. If your vet mixes the liquid and says it expires in 7 or 14 days then Id honor that. Regular use of probiotics for cats can prevent digestive issues and ease symptoms like vomiting, stomach irritation, constipation, and diarrhea. This being the law and all that. Dont worry, Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic has the scoop on expiration dates on veterinary drugs, so that you can stay on task with your decluttering resolutions. wants you to know why the dates on your pets medications matter. Adding the fish amoxicillin capsules to the feral colonys canned food is unlikely to be providing any significant benefit, and is more likely to be contributing to amoxicillin-resistant bacteria. Required fields are marked *. Often extra-label higher doses are used by vets. Using a medication that is not as potent as intended could result in the medication being ineffective. It does so by blocking bacteria's protein-creating process, a process on which the bacteria depend for survival. Again, this will depend on the above factors, but it needs to be taken with food to avoid digestive problems. Giving amoxicillin to your kitty around the time of a meal can help to offset these possible effects. Dosage should be continued for 57 days or 48 hours after all symptoms have subsided. Im confused and worried. If used to treat other bacterial infections it will have no effect at all. you might argue. There are also other formulations, such as Clavamox. Also, like I said, last years vet didnt have us do a 12 hr fast for Willys dental cleaning. My cat had some expired amoxicillin.it is expired Yes and no. align-items: center; Anyhow, online says Cats: The recommended dosage is 50 mg (510 mg/lb) once a day. Expiration dates on veterinary drugs are important because, as time marches on, drugs lose efficacy and potency due to chemical changes that take place. Only give the safe and ideal dose by weight or as prescribed by your veterinarian. The shelf life once reconstituted is real. www.felineliving.net is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. If no date can be found, it is safest to consider a medication expired six months after being dispensed. However, since kittens are vulnerable and are yet to establish a clinical history, a veterinarian will need to determine the right course of action. Many medications can cause significant negative health effects if very high doses inappropriate for the patient are ingested. The shelf life once reconstituted is real. While a UTI may be more likely in a female cat, we can also see conditions like bladder stones, and stress-related urinary conditions like idiopathic cystitis, which arent treated with antibiotics. This article is purely informative. The most common potential side effects are gastrointestinal problems. However, this dosage is generally no longer considered in veterinary medicine to be effective for most infections. Amoxicillin typically comes in both a liquid form as an oral suspension as well as tablet form. The consequences to using insulin that is bad can be dangerous. Most cats take a 62.5 milligram dosage twice daily for a set amount of days. The liquid form typically needs to be refrigerated. Amoxicillin Amoxicillin is a type of broad-spectrum beta-lactam (-lactam) antibiotic, types of antibiotics which contain a common type of organic compound. Therefore it should be left to a veterinarian to determine when and which antibiotic should be used. At AnimalWised, we ask can you give cats amoxicillin? Always remember you can go to another veterinarian for a second opinion. Epi-pens (epinephrine injections for anaphylaxis), for example. font-size: 24px; .table-footer{ Expiration Dates on Veterinary Drugs: Do They Matter? But unfortunately, I would feel that the addition of the fish amoxicillin capsules is misguided for two reasons. I think so, anyway. .medication-table a{ Your Veterinarian can better decide about the safe dose of any medication, including Amoxicillin for cats, after observing your feline physically. Tetracycline for cats is a multipurpose antibiotic typically available as a capsule or tablet. Not active at all. Disposing of drugs, particularly controlled substances, is not always straightforward. That's wasteful! Everything You Need To Know, Is It Safe To Have Cats Around Newborns? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Cats.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you miss a dose, give it to your cat unless it's almost time for the next dose. Antibiotics Obviously for very small or very large cats this dose needs to be adjusted at a veterinarian's recommendation. But this is not a medication that will last long. Amoxicillin dosage of 5-10mg per pound. Cats should never be given Amoxicillin prescribed for human use, however convenient it may be for pet owners. If your veterinarian doesn't have it in stock, they may write a prescription. Antibiotics are slowly losing their effectiveness, this is called antibiotic resistance. So your vet will be careful about the dose they give you for your cat. FridaySunday: 7 a.m.6 p.m. 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. The licking of private areas and urinary pain could be concerning for this. Others, though, may be prescribed on an as needed basis. 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 is primarily used in cats and is commonly prescribed for urinary tract infections (kidneys, bladder, and prostate) and skin infections (mainly post-traumatic wounds and abscesses). Studies have shown that amoxicillin for cats can be very effective against some of the most common bacteria found in these wounds. Copyright 2023 Upgrade Your Cat | UpgradeYourCat.com | As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. But this is Cats can be given amoxicillin. The goal is to add a balanced and alternative view of some controversial pet issues. It can decrease her willingness to use the litter box. It is frequently combined with clavulanic acid as this helps to beat bacterial resistance. They can come as tablets, in liquid form, drops, cream or an injection. These are also often treatable with amoxicillin. This last is the part that can be hard to determine with many products. This makes it more important to keep close tabs on the the expiration date. Always, Disposing of drugs, particularly controlled substances, is not always straightforward. .medication-table{ 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! It can also cause bacterial resistance to develop. Share Improve this answer Follow answered Apr 22, 2017 at 17:55 Harry V. 5,989 2 16 35 Some unopened medications can chemically be stable for at least 1 year beyond the expiration. How long before it takes effect and what symptoms should I look for? 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. So, your pets expired meds dont exactly turn into a pumpkin after they reach their expiration date, but there are some good reasons to dispose of them. It does so by blocking bacteria's protein-creating process, a process on which the bacteria depend for survival. Follow the recommendations on the bottle for best results regarding the shelf life. This product is Clavamox. All medications have an expiration date on their label. 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. Dr. Vanderhoof lives in the Northern Virginia area with his family, including 3 cats. 2023 Cliverse Media Ltd. Be the first to get our latest updates, insider videos, cat health resources, and more. Can I Give My Cat Amoxicillin Amoxicillin has no effect against worms in any way, only against bacteria, as I mentioned in the article, so the amoxicillin youre adding would not be helping with the problem youre trying to address. It's not exactly consumer friendly to arbitrarily set higher bars on some products especially when they are so transparently yielding bigger bottom lines for those who lobby in their favor. -Other cats dont have the same symptoms As happens with all of us, veterinarians cant always say what they really think without offending some clients. It inhibits the growth of bacteria by preventing the cell wall formation of the bacterial cells. While some medications may change color or texture, this does not always happen. Animal Medical Hospital, Animal Medical Hospital and 24 Hour Urgent Care. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid may cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. Common Veterinary Antibiotics 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. Liver and kidney damage may occur. flex-basis: 50%; Make sure to follow your veterinarians prescription to avoid health complications. Make sure to give any medication to your kitty with vet advice only. font-weight: 700; Also, inform your veterinarian about any kidney or stomach problems your cat may have or had in the past as Amoxicillin may cause further damage of these organs. Two, fish amoxicillin is designed to be added to the water of a fish tank and absorbed by fish. When give to a vulnerable kitten, the risk is even higher. Because amoxicillin-clavulanate, commonly known as the brand Clavamox, has a broader spectrum of action against some bacteria, it is more commonly used than regular amoxicillin, especially for cats. display: block; The expiration date is always one year out unless the manufacturer's expiration date precedes it. It is also one of the most commonly used antibiotics in the world. However, if there is no color or odor change and it is a few days beyond that date it is probably okay. Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet develops severe or bloody diarrhea. 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. Common Veterinary Antibiotics If you suspect that your cat has an illness warranting an antibiotic, such as amoxicillin, make an appointment with your vet for a thorough evaluation. 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. Severe allergic reactions to amoxicillin are extremely rare but can include rashes, hives, fever, and changes to red and white blood cell counts. While there are many medicines suitable for human use which are unsuitable for cats, amoxicillin is not one of them. Common illnesses in which Amoxicillin is given to cats are: Every medicine include antibiotic may have mild to severe side effects. Can This vet did advise us to do Willys 12 hour fast.