can i give my cat expired amoxicillin
However, if there is no color or odor change and it is a few days beyond that date it is probably okay. 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. By that, I assume youre referring to intestinal worms like roundworms, hookworms, or tapeworms, which these kitties could certainly have. One of the most common injuries seen in these kitties are abscesses because bacteria gets trapped under the skin from the other cat's tooth or nail. } Interestingly, the labeled dosage for cats for amoxicillin calls for giving it just once a day. 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. Your vet can run a stool sample to help make sure none have been missed. Before you just toss them in the trash, refer to the. Image from Instagram:@petdiseasealerts It would be prudent not to give your dog any human amoxicillin. Severe allergic reactions to amoxicillin are extremely rare but can include rashes, hives, fever, and changes to red and white blood cell counts. If there was extra gingivitis present that led to more bleeding during cleaning or if a lot of extra scaling under the gums was needed, your vet may have felt that an anti-inflammatory was warranted to ensure your kitty was more comfortable after going home. If not 50mg available, open the 250 mg capsule and divide it into fifths. While there are many medicines suitable for human use which are unsuitable for cats, amoxicillin is not one of them. And an employee who'd worked at yet another hospital reported the same about her previous employer's policy. However, some vets may adjust this based on their own discretion, which may depend on a patients age and any prior health history. You can use diatomaceous earth food grade only. I cant comment more as its impossible for me to know if this is a typical delay in healing that can be seen with nail trauma even without infection present, or something more concerning. These are also often treatable with amoxicillin. An extended treatment with antibiotics can lead to yeast infections, especially if the cats immune system is The ideal and safe dosage of Amoxicillin tablet for cats is 5-10 mg/lb or 10-15 mg/kg, and liquid oral suspension is 2-9 ml/lb every 12-24 hours. There are various reasons why. Make sure to follow your veterinarians prescription to avoid health complications. 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. Many insulin medications expire 30 days form the date you open them. Follow the recommendations on the bottle for best results regarding the shelf life. Giving Amoxicillin to your cat without your veterinarians prescription is not considered safe and ideal. Its very important to note that amoxicillin is not effective against viral infections, a common cause of upper respiratory conditions in cats. Read between the lines: We don't want to be legally responsible. Form: Thank you. In the case of pregnant or lactating cats, the veterinarian will have to assess administration based on risks versus benefits. While some medications may change color or texture, this does not always happen. Amoxicillin for cats is often used. Dont make your cat suffer any longer! Some, like amoxicillin, are bactericidal, which means they kill the bacteria. Be sure to use and care for your pets medication responsibly, and when in doubt, throw it out! Add them to the Cats Food: The Fish-Mox capsules are 250 mg. amoxicillin, recommended dosage one capsule twice per day, in food. display: flex; Yesterday's Morning Edition on NPR featured Joanne Silberner's report on human drugs and their expiration dates. Wish my cat good luck as I cannot take her to the vet until the end of the month. However, since kittens are vulnerable and are yet to establish a clinical history, a veterinarian will need to determine the right course of action. Doing so frequently can make the medication ineffective. Most vets call for a dose every 8-12 hours. Most will have a longer shelf life if they are refrigerated. It is administered orally and reaches its maximum plasma concentration (i.e. If only a month and year are listed, the medication is expired on the last day of the listed month. Anyhow, online says Cats: The recommended dosage is 50 mg (510 mg/lb) once a day. 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. 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. This could mean that if one of the kitties truly became ill, a medication like Amoxi-Drops or Clavamox may not be as effective as it would otherwise be. This is because they are more likely to get into fights with other cats or injure themselves on hazardous material leading to an infected wound. Respiratory infections are also treated by amoxicillin, but it will depend on the specific infection. I hope that information helps. The American Veterinary Medical Association mandates that veterinary drug expiration dates be provided on all dispensed medications when appropriate. Doing your part to observe and honor them helps us know that your pet is treated according to the highest standards of veterinary medicine, and we are proud to help achieve that. Fresh Breath. Neurologic changes, like an inability to walk normally (termed ataxia) have been reported in dogs, as well as elevated heart rate and breathing changes. That is the human form of amoxicillin with clavulanic acid. If the cat is getting well, continue for at least 5 days more. 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. They look for white blood cells and bacteria in her urine. The answer is: No, not without the express consent and direction of your veterinarian. The concentration is much too high for cats unique livers to process and it could seriously harm your cat. Before you just toss them in the trash, refer to the FDAs safe drug disposal information to be sure that you are doing things properly. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. Tetracycline for cats is a multipurpose antibiotic typically available as a capsule or tablet. If your cat is sick or not acting like herself, a trip to your family veterinarian is recommended. It can be used alone or as a combination antibiotic like Clavamox. Once opened, it is best to honor the labeled expiration date. It tends to be an inexpensive option that is very safe and generally well tolerated. In kitties, it may be used most often for upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, skin infections, or infections resulting from a bite wound or injury. 16429 7th Place West If your cat spends time outside or around other cats, she might get into a fight. Your email address will not be published. I clipped my cats claw to deep now it seems infected and is swollen I have been cleaning and wrapping it some times it looks to be getting better then it doesnt A Vet is out of the question as they charge to much up front and wont do payment plans Can I give him a small dose of amoxicillin? It is not worth the risk of a reaction or problem from using expired medications. Generally, an antibiotic injection is fast acting, which means it might help your pet feel better soon after she receives the shot. Get practical pet health tips, articles, and insights from our veterinary community delivered weekly to your inbox. Amoxicillin may be used for infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract and bladder, some gastrointestinal infections, and infections of the skin and soft tissues. } margin: 0!important; He completed a rotating internship with Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey and now works as a general practitioner in the Washington D.C. area. Incorrectly giving any medicine to your pet will harm more than benefit. display: flex; If no date can be found, it is safest to consider a medication expired six months after being dispensed. This article is purely informative. In cats, these can occur as hives or labored breathing. They may need to suspend treatment or treat any secondary problems. Many respiratory illnesses are caused by viral infections which cannot be treated by amoxicillin, although it may be prescribed to treat secondary bacterial infections. 6 Pet Medication Storage Tips to Avoid Danger, Off Label Use of Drugs in Veterinary Medicine, Holistic Medicine and How it Can Help Your Pet, Don't Make These Dangerous Mistakes With Your Pet's Medicine. Pretty sure my cat has a UTI So what do I recommend YOU to do? Your veterinarian might want to culture the abscess or wound. Directions. If a medication is past the expiration date determined by the manufacturer, it is best not to use it. 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. 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. We just got our cat,Willy, back from the vet for a dental cleaning. Certified Content. Can I Give My Cat Amoxicillin? Share Improve this answer Follow answered Apr 22, 2017 at 17:55 Harry V. 5,989 2 16 35 Salivation in excess. But only your vet can properly diagnose an infection and its root cause and thereby prescribe the right kind of antibiotic and the right dose. Regular use of probiotics for cats can prevent digestive issues and ease symptoms like vomiting, stomach irritation, constipation, and diarrhea. So why then does the FDA feel justified in placing limits where they previously did not exist? Obviously for very small or very large cats this dose needs to be adjusted at a veterinarian's recommendation. If only a month and year are listed, the medication is expired on the last day of the listed month. margin: 0; Often referred to as a UTI, they can occur in female and male cats. They can also be seen on or in the stool. Amoxicillin typically comes in both a liquid form as an oral suspension as well as tablet form. As happens with all of us, veterinarians cant always say what they really think without offending some clients. Amoxicillin. The materials offered on this website are intended for educational purposes only. Hopefully, there may be a vet in your area that could help provide some more specific guidance. For more information, or to ask about an expired veterinary medication, please call us. Amoxicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic, Sometimes I think the pharmacy industry protests too much on their own behalf. If my pet wasitching and it was 3 am and all I had was some expired Benadryl Id probably try it. flex-direction: column; WebAntibiotics for cats. These 7 Signs Will Help You Find Out, Eyelid Agenesis In Cats: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment. Sometimes, though rarely, changes can take place that cause the medication to be harmful to your pet. Amoxicillin for cats is often one of the first drugs of choice. Antibiotics are slowly losing their effectiveness, this is called antibiotic resistance. It can also be helpful to discuss diet and nutrition as well. (hopefully). It's the exact same medication. Many veterinarians consider having updated lab work within 30 days of an anesthetic event to be a standard of care. The shelf life once reconstituted is real. You should always consult with the vet about the best antibiotic to be used and its potential side effects. Can I Give My Cat Amoxicillin? Amoxicillin For Cats: Dosage, Safety & Side Effects. If a medication is past the expiration date determined by the manufacturer, it is best not to use it. So your vet will be careful about the dose they give you for your cat. The bacteria then die. Cats should never be given Amoxicillin prescribed for human use, however convenient it may be for pet owners. Liquid amoxicillin needs to be kept in the refrigerator except when you are giving it to your cat. Laser Toys & Its Effects On, Can Cats Get Lyme Disease? Make sure to follow your veterinarians prescription to avoid health complications. It is important to keep in mind that some infections may not be bacterial. Only stop the antibiotic with your vets prescription to avoid antibiotic resistance. Potent Immunity. -Now crying in pain as he licks his privates. Throwing up. WebIf you still have a to wait a few days to see the vet I would go to a local pet store and find some probiotics or Bene-Bac to add to what he's eating It'll help provide beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract that may have been lost due to the over use of antibiotics, this is probably causing the loose stool, but a vet would dive deeper into 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. The honest answer isprobably most oral pill or capsule medications are good for longer than their expiration dates. Cats that suffer from a serious condition will have weaker immune systems and will therefore be more likely to contract bacterial and other infections. The vet will take a look at your cats medical history, body weight, sex and other factors and will give a very specifically concentrated dose for your cat. Therefore it is a common mistake to search for information on the dose of amoxicillin required for a cat and then administer it to them straightaway, because:. Yes How long? WebThe easiest way to give your cat liquid medication is to mix it in with some canned food. Ironically, a fungal or yeast infection may develop. Doing so frequently can make the medication ineffective. Overdosing is toxic however. Turns out I was right. However, its really important to make sure it is only used when dispensed or prescribed by a veterinarian, and that all prescribing instructions are followed. Amoxicillin interacts with some other drugs which may be given to cats. You can give your cat Fish Mox (50mg 2-3 times per day). Liver and kidney damage may occur. Antibiotics, including amoxicillin, can cause a range of side effects for cats. It is not appropriate to medicate the cat with amoxicillin of our own volition. As odd as it might sound, human amoxicillin can be used for cats. All medications have an expiration date on their label. It does so by blocking bacteria's protein-creating process, a process on which the bacteria depend for survival. by It makes it even more potent and long-lasting. My vet cant physically see him 2 weeks because of the holidays. They can come as tablets, in liquid form, drops, cream or an injection. However, overdosing or giving it incorrectly is toxic for the felines. This means administering them for the wrong type of infection, providing inadequate doses, not completing the full prescription or giving them to an otherwise healthy cat. WebHowever, a lot of cats may be allergic to penicillin and can develop side effects: Chronic diarrhea. Antibiotic use during and after dentals is hotly debated in our field. The other argument is that unless extractions are being performed which requires tissue healing, or unless a pet has heavy dental disease with concern for pre-existing infection, that antibiotic use during or following a dental cleaning is not needed and would only contribute to antibiotic resistance. But this isnt the main point of my question). It is often reconstituted with water at your vets practice when you receive it. And always remember that even if your kitty appears to be feeling better, to always finish out a prescribed course of antibiotics, as this helps to reduce the risk for development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. But then, I've only ever prescribed Epi-pens for three patients. Expiration dates on veterinary drugs are there for good reason: to keep your pet safe and to treat them in the most effective way possible. There are several factors that can affects the shelf life including exposure to light, lack of appropriate refrigeration, and eventuallythe chemical instability of the product that can occur with time. But blood tests only reveal evidence of kidney failure in pets once 72% or more of the kidneys have been lost. FDA Approved? 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. Amoxicillin typically comes in both a liquid form as an oral suspension as well as tablet form. Email: info@animalmedical.net. Potent Immunity. Like regular amoxicillin, Clavamox also comes in liquid and pill formulations. WebIs Amoxicillin Safe for Cats? Each time you make a purchase through one of our independently-chosen links, well receive a percentage of the proceeds. } Amoxicillin usually comes in both pills and liquid suspension forms. You can give your cat Fish Mox (50mg 2-3 times per day). 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. Your veterinarian can better decide the safe dose of Amoxicillin for your feline after observing the severity of the illness and your cat physically. Please note that the above Amoxicillin for cats dosage Chart is well researched but can only be used for educational purposes and will not replace your veterinarian prescription and advice. That is the safest way to ensure that the medication is stable. Giving amoxicillin to your kitty around the time of a meal can help to offset these possible effects. And get this they're legally enjoined to do so regardless of the manufacturer's expiration dates. Giving amoxicillin to your kitty around the time of a meal can help to offset these possible effects. Inappropriateness Even a medication that was once prescribed to an individual pet may no longer be appropriate. Bacteria come in different types, usually classified as Gram-positive or Gram-negative. PetPartners, Inc. is an indirect corporate affiliate of PetPlace.com. These medications are called aminopenicillins and prevent the bacteria from making or keeping their cell wall intact. align-items: center; This is why its always important to follow the prescribed directions and to finish out all of an antibiotic even if your kitty is looking much better. All drugs originating from. Therefore it should be left to a veterinarian to determine when and which antibiotic should be used. All rights reserved. Antibiotic Please consult your pets veterinarian in matters regarding the care of your animals. DONT skip doses or fail to use the entire course of antibiotics as prescribed to your cat. Finding the safe dosage of Amoxicillin for the kitten is a challenging task. Amoxicillin works by binding directly to certain parts of the cell membrane of susceptible bacteria, inhibiting development of the cell wall and making the bacteria unstable, thus killing them. These can occur as upper respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and even skin infections. Giving amoxicillin to your kitty around the time of a meal can help to offset these possible effects. } This is because the bacteria often present in these cases is sensitive to amoxicillin. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that is related to penicillin. Get it on Chewy Clavamox (Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid). Avoid giving your pet any medication that contains a corticosteroid unless it has been prescribed by your veterinarian to treat your pets current medical problem. Liquid and other mixed prescriptions should be discarded after two weeks. Abscesses are swollen regions of infected tissue within a pet or person. Thank god his appetite is very good and he eats everything so the infection is not affecting his eating. It is also one of the most commonly used antibiotics in the world. Should I be doing this because it takes care of their worms. They may diagnose a bacterial infection, and if so, amoxicillin might be used. We have seen that several antibiotics for humans that are commonly used in cats and dogs, one of the most commonly used is amoxicillin. To ensure that your cat swallows all of the medication, it is best to mix it into a small amount of canned food that you feed by hand, rather than mixing it into a full bowl of food that the cat may not completely eat. While discontinuing an antibiotic may relieve the side effects, this will also leave the original bacterial infection untreated. That yogurt in the back of the fridge probably has at least a week or two past the stamped date, right? Precautions Throwing up. Yes and no. 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. Amoxicillin is a highly effective antibiotic, but it will not work as well after its expiration date if you have already taken it. } .medication-table h2{ A large and important part of the immune system is located in the gut. (amoxicillin?) you might argue. They knew that I would speak the truth regardless of pet owners or other veterinarians liked it or not. Also he is playful and hyper as he always has been so he doesnt seem in pain. Giving an antibiotic willy nilly or stopping short of the whole course can prove far worse than not using antibiotics at all. With Amoxicillin taking expired ones would just mean they might not work, other antibiotics, like the tetracyclines can actually cause kidney damage if they are old.