can i give my cat expired amoxicillin

While it may not directly cause harm, using an expired drug may have some negative effects including: Often when people utilize old medications, they are doing so without guidance from a veterinarian. Sometimes I think the pharmacy industry protests too much on their own behalf. 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. 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. Some last a very long time, up to several years. Your veterinarian might want to culture the abscess or wound. Uncommonly, nail trauma can lead to infection of the tissues of the toe. As such, amoxicillin is readily prescribed for some very common maladies. Image from Instagram:@petdiseasealerts It would be prudent not to give your dog any human amoxicillin. 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. .medication-table .table-row .item{ For this reason, it is not possible to give a dosage for amoxicillin for cats as it will depend on each individual clinical case. Thankfully, amoxicillin tends to be very well tolerated by cats. Copyright 1999 - 2023. Giving amoxicillin to your kitty around the time of a meal can help to offset these possible effects. When it comes to veterinary drug expiration dates, it is not so safe to gamble. 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 So your vet will be careful about the dose they give you for your cat. WebSo, can I give my cat amoxicillin? Amoxicillin for cats, also known as aminopenicillin, is a well-known antibiotic medication mainly used to treat bacterial infections such as urinary tract, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal infections, and skin issues, such as acute moist dermatitis and pyoderma in felines. 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. This medication is costly. margin-bottom: 20px; Incorrectly giving any medicine to your pet will harm more than benefit. This is because the bacteria often present in these cases is sensitive to amoxicillin. The antibiotics is Amoxicillin/Clavulanate. Amoxicillin is a broad spectrum antibiotic, 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. Google Neighborhood Cats and email or call them, tells them whats going on and they probably can direct you to resources that can help. Neurologic changes, like an inability to walk normally (termed ataxia) have been reported in dogs, as well as elevated heart rate and breathing changes. Shes about 10lbs and I found a single capsule amoxicillin dosage of 500mg, is that safe to give her and will it be enough if I only giver her one? 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. Furthermore, Amoxicillin is only effective for specific bacteria. Most people have been on antibiotics at some point, as well. Giving an antibiotic willy nilly or stopping short of the whole course can prove far worse than not using antibiotics at all. Animal Skin and Allergy Clinic does not provide any veterinary medical services or guidance via the Internet. You might be wondering if Fluffy can take amoxicillin, and, unless she's allergic, she can. Indiscriminate use of any antibiotic can lead to resistant bacterial populations, which make treating infections more difficult. } A huge animal lover, born and raised around dogs, cats, chickens 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). Amoxicillin with clavulanic acid is common in these circumstances. If you miss a dose, give it to your cat unless it's almost time for the next dose. If only a month and year are listed, the medication is expired on the last day of the listed month. Animal adoption advocate. Make sure to follow your veterinarians prescription to avoid health complications. Even a medication that was once prescribed to an individual pet may no longer be appropriate. If any drug is administered improperly, it can have adverse side effects, even antibiotics. Most veterinarians, physicians and pharmacists well tell you to honor the expiration date on the package. However, overdosing or giving it incorrectly is toxic for the felines. This product is Clavamox. If the cat is getting well, continue for at least 5 days more. Though I'd never heard of this law, it seems pharmacists are required to attach a one-year expiration date to all of the drugs they dispense. 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. Lack of appetite and refusal to eat. This antibiotic has been around for a long time and is very effective against many types of bacteria. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic that is related to penicillin. In these rare cases, it is vital they are taken to an emergency veterinary hospital. Therefore, probiotics for cats also help support healthier immunity. display: flex; Therefore, probiotics for cats also help support healthier immunity. Antibiotics, including amoxicillin, can cause a range of side effects for cats. Do not overdose on the medicine. The reason is that it will lose its potency over time, and it may even cause your symptoms to worsen. Turns out that my veterinary hospital employer follows the pharmacy rules. A much more serious parasitic worm is Toxoplasma gondii, the infection of which being called toxoplasmosis. Humans can get parasitic worms, such as feline tapeworm, if infected fleas are swallowed. If your vet mixes the liquid and says it expires in 7 or 14 days then Id honor that. Amoxicillin should only be used to treat bacterial infections and not viral or parasitic infections. There are specific times with the medication might be most useful. Then, put one-fifth in the cats food. It ended up saving the lives of many soldiers in World War II after Fleming discovered that the mold killed certain bacterial cultures. Non-castrated males are also more susceptible since they are more likely to fight or get into mischief. This helps our pet parents know how to best use the medications we prescribe. If your vet prescribes two bottles, they should provide you with instructions on how to mix up the second bottle. Animal Medical Hospital wants you to know why the dates on your pets medications matter. All opinions are those of the Irreverent Veterinarian and not the views of PetPlace.com and are not endorsed by PetPlace.com. Generally, an antibiotic injection is fast acting, which means it might help your pet feel better soon after she receives the shot. I always save the last couple doses whenever I am prescribed them. Email: info@animalmedical.net. Each individual drug has its own unique shelf life determined by the manufacturer. If a medication is past the expiration date determined by the manufacturer, it is best not to use it. However, some vets may adjust this based on their own discretion, which may depend on a patients age and any prior health history. -Licks his private area a lot Reading this article until the end will solve all your queries about using this antibiotic drug for your kitty. 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. border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc; 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. By that, I assume youre referring to intestinal worms like roundworms, hookworms, or tapeworms, which these kitties could certainly have. Injectable medications are generally considered less stable and often have shorter shelf lives than oral pill or capsule medication. Get it on Chewy Clavamox (Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid). Reasons to Honor Veterinary Drug Expiration Dates. Longer than 2 years, then Id replace. Wishing your cat all the best! One of the most obvious positive sides to these antibiotics is how fast they enter your cats system. This will lead to skin rashes (not to be confused with problems like scabies in cats), fever and, in severe cases, anaphylactic shock. But this is It is not worth the risk of a reaction or problem from using expired medications. Providing some good history and having an exam performed are important starting points. The dosage and frequency can vary depending on the type of infectious condition being treated, so its always best for your kittys vet to determine what is most appropriate. 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. Always make sure to give an antibiotic prescribed by your vet for the full number of days indicated, even if your kitty looks like hes feeling better. Incomplete antibiotic courses, even if not expired, can result in lack of treatment, subjecting the pet to relapse or even antibiotic resistance. justify-content: space-between; In veterinary medicine, the most common forms are liquid and pills. You might need to repeat blood tests to check for this type of disease process. But this isnt the main point of my question). 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. Precautions We work to make the world a better place for cats, and we're getting better for you. 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. Why waste? But beyond that, I cannot assist with specific dosing for your cat beyond what is generally found in the article. Antibiotics are slowly losing their effectiveness, this is called antibiotic resistance. Once a month I open two fish amoxcillin capsules and blend it in with their food. Prescription medications are no different. To know more about various drugs which can be administered to cats, you can look at this article on Buprenex for cats. In this case, we may think giving amoxicillin to the cat will be beneficial. Common illnesses in which Amoxicillin is given to cats are: Every medicine include antibiotic may have mild to severe side effects. Scheduling an appointment with your vet would be the best thing to do here. If it was previously clear and it is now cloudy even if it has NOT expired Id question the stability of this medication. to be sure that you are doing things properly. | 9 Reasons Explained, Maine Coon Breeders Nova Scotia | Kittens & Cats for Sale. Full resolution for an infection depends a lot on the location and severity. shes 8 years old and has been healthy until recently (blood in urine). It can also cause bacterial resistance to develop. If you are concerned that your cat is not getting better or may have been misdiagnosed, go back to the veterinarian. Anyhow, online says Cats: The recommended dosage is 50 mg (510 mg/lb) once a day. Veterinarians try their best to ensure their patients are not in any pain. 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. The topic that Ill address today isHow Long Do Expired Medications Really Last? 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. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain. The Pros of Antibiotic Injections for Cats. Hello Loreen, thank you for commenting! } 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. Only give the safe and ideal dose by weight or as prescribed by your veterinarian. I poured 90% of the capsule out and she swallowed the other 10%. The expiration date is always one year out unless the manufacturer's expiration date precedes it. I'd recalled they were even more restrictive than a year. If your pet is critically ill Id say no dont use ANY expired medications. For myself and my own family, that is. DONT start using an antibiotic you happen to have left over from the last time. Amoxicillin will only work against certain bacteria. The consequences to using insulin that is bad can be dangerous. In these cases you will need to go to the veterinarian to stop the effects or even a veterinary hospital in case of emergency. However, overdosing or giving it incorrectly is toxic for the felines. All antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections and amoxicillin is no exception. But Im also concerned that treating with an antibiotic alone could be missing something more important thats going on here. Potential Side Effects However, if there is no color or odor change and it is a few days beyond that date it is probably okay. This last is the part that can be hard to determine with many products. 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. How does one properly dispose of expired veterinary pharmaceuticals? Pic of the day: "Messed up" by maggiejumps. 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). Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic prescribed by veterinarians to treat various infections in dogs and cats. As a bactericidal antibiotic, it has the ability to kill certain strains of bacteria causing infections. Throwing up. This article has been fact checked and verified by our veterinary adviser.. The more bacterial resistance increases as a society, the more powerful antibiotics need to be. An extended treatment with antibiotics can lead to yeast infections, especially if the cats immune system is This includes sticking to the timetable for giving it that your veterinarian has prescribed. Pretty sure my cat has a UTI Cats are prone to contracting bacterial, fungal or viral diseases that left untreated can lead to significant health complications. However, if there is no color or odor change and it is a few days beyond that date it is probably okay. 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:. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid may cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. 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. 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 tends to be more effective than penicillin because it lasts longer. I have treated her for worms. One human dose equals ~10 cat doses. color: #fcb040!important; They may diagnose a bacterial infection, and if so, amoxicillin might be used. Therefore it should be left to a veterinarian to determine when and which antibiotic should be used. Many respiratory illnesses are caused by viral infections which cannot be treated by amoxicillin, although it may be prescribed to treat secondary bacterial infections. Allergic reactions do have the possibility of occurring. There a lot of cat rescues. Liquid amoxicillin needs to be kept in the refrigerator except when you are giving it to your cat. Outdoor feline explorers are often more prone to catching illnesses as they may rummage through trash and dirt. 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 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. line-height: 1.2; For others, though, dates on food and other items are viewed as merely a suggestion. It is not appropriate to medicate the cat with amoxicillin of our own volition. An extended treatment with antibiotics can lead to yeast infections, especially if the cats immune system is Cat sized doses can be bought at pet supply stores. 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 A large and important part of the immune system is located in the gut. .medication-table .table-row{ 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. I would not want to tell you that a medication is still good and it doesnt work to later find out that it didnt work putting your pet at risk.