can i give my cat expired amoxicillin can i give my cat expired amoxicillin

Not the original writer, but While amoxicillin would likely be prescribed to a cat in this condition, you will have to get a vets approval to use the antibiotic. All rights reserved. Thankfully, amoxicillin tends to be very well tolerated by cats. } While discontinuing an antibiotic may relieve the side effects, this will also leave the original bacterial infection untreated. Get new medication. An extended treatment with antibiotics can lead to yeast infections, especially if the cats immune system is You're free to offer your own below. It can be nearly impossible to tell when the chemical stability of a product is altered. Giving amoxicillin to your kitty around the time of a meal can help to offset these possible effects. Amoxicillin antibiotic is not approved by FDA for pet use but still veterinarians around the world often prescribe it for cats due to its tonic health properties. This can be dangerous if there are other factors, such as different medications or supplements being used, that make administration inappropriate. 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:. Precautions We just got our cat,Willy, back from the vet for a dental cleaning. Most cats take a 62.5 milligram dosage twice daily for a set amount of days. As this is too late to be of use, I hope your cat survived. Amoxicillin is one of the oldest, tried and true antibiotics we have and although newer antibiotic classes have been developed, amoxicillin still has valuable clinical uses. Urinary tract infections can plague some cats. Before you use any liquid medication make sure that the color is the same and there are no abnormalities. 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. As with any medication, there is a possibility of side effects. The labelled dosage of Clavamox for UTI in cats is 62.5 mg per cat twice daily for 10-14 days. Administering Amoxicillin prescribed for human use to your cat may do serious harm. However, overdosing or giving it incorrectly is toxic for the felines. So why make them come in again for a "fresh" round? An extended treatment with antibiotics can lead to yeast infections, especially if the cats immune system is Giving this single dose would be more likely to cause GI upset, have minimal effect on a UTI, and promote bacterial resistance to amoxicillin. border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; Allergic reactions do have the possibility of occurring. If only a month and year are listed, the medication is expired on the last day of the listed month. Make sure to keep all the medicine away from the children and your pet reach. 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. Hopefully, there may be a vet in your area that could help provide some more specific guidance. For susceptible bacterial infections, you will typically see noticeable improvement within 2-3 days of use. Since every cat is an individual, each cat will respond differently to amoxicillin. Only stop the antibiotic with your vets prescription to avoid antibiotic resistance. Regular use of probiotics for cats can prevent digestive issues and ease symptoms like vomiting, stomach irritation, constipation, and diarrhea. If you miss a dose, give it to your cat unless it's almost time for the next dose. Good luck! DONT start using an antibiotic you happen to have left over from the last time. In your experience, does this seem unnecessary and far afield? If you have been a pet medication hoarder, you likely have a pile of stuff to trash at this point. Fish amoxicillin is not intended to be used for other species of animals and it is in fact, not the same strength or formulation as what we use for pets or even people. All antibiotics, for human or pet use, have side effects. But it's not fair! Add them to the Cats Food: The Fish-Mox capsules are 250 mg. amoxicillin, recommended dosage one capsule twice per day, in food. However, if there is no color or odor change and it is a few days beyond that date it is probably okay. Liver and kidney damage may occur. Self-educated pet care nerd. 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. 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. While some respiratory infections are caused by viruses, many are at least compounded by bacterial infections. Hi Dominique, thanks for your question. - Uses, Dosage and Side Effects, we recommend you visit our Medicine category. While there are many medicines suitable for human use which are unsuitable for cats, amoxicillin is not one of them. That's my take, anyway. 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. Full resolution for an infection depends a lot on the location and severity. Expiration dates on drugs exist to help keep you and your pet healthier and happy. In the case of pregnant or lactating cats, the veterinarian will have to assess administration based on risks versus benefits. The price for weekend vet visit is crazy. If my pet wasitching and it was 3 am and all I had was some expired Benadryl Id probably try it. Additionally, hypersensitivity may occur in some cats. Common illnesses in which Amoxicillin is given to cats are: Every medicine include antibiotic may have mild to severe side effects. Severe allergic reactions to amoxicillin are extremely rare but can include rashes, hives, fever, and changes to red and white blood cell counts. Common signs or symptoms of an upper respiratory infection include runny eyes, sniffling, sneezing, and sometimes even coughing. Changes in health status, other concurrent conditions, and the addition of new medications or supplements could make an old prescription inappropriate. The materials offered on this website are intended for educational purposes only. After all, the drug manufacturers are required to test the safety and efficacy of their drugs under warm, humid environments (read: bathroom) for years beyond their manufacturing date. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. It is not appropriate to medicate the cat with amoxicillin of our own volition. Those outdoor kitties need our help too. Lack of appetite and refusal to eat. No matter whether it is given orally or topically, tetracycline destroys bacterial infections. Amoxicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic, Therefore, its always important for a vet to decide if use of an antibiotic is warranted. Independence America Holdings Corp. All Rights Reserved. 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. Some last a very long time, up to several years. Amoxicillin comes in a liquid suspension, tablet, and capsule forms. Always discard medications that have obvious changes to color, texture, etc. Once opened, it is best to honor the labeled expiration date. 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. If your kitty will take a pill mixed with or hidden in food or a treat, this is often easiest and involves the least amount of struggle. 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. Laser Toys & Its Effects On, Can Cats Get Lyme Disease? This vet did advise us to do Willys 12 hour fast. You might need to repeat blood tests to check for this type of disease process. While there are many medicines suitable for human use which are unsuitable for cats, amoxicillin is not one of them. Generally, an antibiotic injection is fast acting, which means it might help your pet feel better soon after she receives the shot. justify-content: space-between; But then, I've only ever prescribed Epi-pens for three patients. } Amoxicillin is a highly effective antibiotic, but it will not work as well after its expiration date if you have already taken it. Our customer service department gets a lot of emails from cat lovers about every type of question you can imagine about cats. 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. 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). Antibiotics are slowly losing their effectiveness, this is called antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic However, if there is no color or odor change and it is a few days beyond that date it is probably okay. When give to a vulnerable kitten, the risk is even higher. Thank you. Some veterinarians may make this a longer interval, and others may even make lab work optional. While it may not directly cause harm, using an expired drug may have some negative effects including: Delay in appropriate treatment Subpar management of the problem at hand 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. Incorrectly giving any medicine to your pet will harm more than benefit. Google Neighborhood Cats and email or call them, tells them whats going on and they probably can direct you to resources that can help. Your vet can run a stool sample to help make sure none have been missed. WebHowever, a lot of cats may be allergic to penicillin and can develop side effects: Chronic diarrhea. Allergic reactions are not as common as with people. Alexander Fleming developed the first antibiotic in 1928. Liquid amoxicillin needs to be kept in the refrigerator except when you are giving it to your cat. Like you, your cat might get a respiratory infection. Copyright 1999 - 2023. These are also often treatable with amoxicillin. But blood tests only reveal evidence of kidney failure in pets once 72% or more of the kidneys have been lost. For some medications, I would feel comfortable using on my own pets if they were expired by 1 to 2 years. The bacteria typically found in your cat's airways is often sensitive to amoxicillin, making it a great choice for your kitty's illness. Amoxicillin specifically targets certain strains of bacteria and therefore is not prescribed for all kinds of infections. 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. As you alluded to, this is primarily to reduce the risk of regurgitation or aspiration during a procedure, since the pet cannot swallow on their own. Indiscriminate use of any antibiotic can lead to resistant bacterial populations, which make treating infections more difficult. WebIs Amoxicillin Safe for Cats? Pretty sure my cat has a UTI For more information, or to ask about an expired veterinary medication, please call us. As happens with all of us, veterinarians cant always say what they really think without offending some clients. 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. 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. The result is that antibiotics may not be effective in the future when they are really needed. 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. This commentary allows vets to say what they think and give you, the pet owner, the opportunity to consider another view. WebSo, can I give my cat amoxicillin? This being the law and all that. If your cat is sick or not acting like herself, a trip to your family veterinarian is recommended. } This can be a reaction, where it causes them to be nauseated, or it can just be because they don't like the taste. The best thing is to have your kitty checked by a veterinarian as soon as possible. The tablets typically come in 50, 100, 150, 200, and 400 mg, while the liquid oral suspension usually comes in 50-mg/ml. Copyright 2022 by FelineLiving.net -Designed by Thrive Themes .cliverse-medication-title{ 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. It can be used alone or as a combination antibiotic like Clavamox. width: 115px; Even a medication that was once prescribed to an individual pet may no longer be appropriate. I also noticed a jelly like bloody discharge in her urine (a little amount but its definitely there). Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain. Your email address will not be published. The most common potential side effects are gastrointestinal problems.