Can I give my cat amoxicillin?

Question

My cat has a pretty good size abcess on its back from a cat fight. I am treating it with NFZ wound dressing (0.2% nitrofurazone) and trypzyme-V.
It has been open for a couple of days now and the cat seems to be acting normal. Still eating fine, running around and playing. I just still worry that I should be giving it an oral antibiotic. I'm out of work and don't have any spare $. So, I do have some amoxicillin that my 4 yr old never needed to take. It is 250mg/5ml suspension. How close is it to what a vet would prescribe?

If you work with animals or with a veterinarian, can you please answer.
All you cat lovers out there, don't worry, I have not given any to the cat. I am waiting for some sound advice first. Last resort will be to take it to the vet. So don't yell at me for not being a caring owner....I am. Why do you think I'm asking and hoping someone knowledgable will answer.

Thanks for your help!

Additional Details

the amoxicillin I have has never been used....it's a brand new bottle that I ended up not needing for my son. So it is not "left over".

The shelf life hasn't expired, the timing just worked out that I happen to have it on hand.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Do not give the Amoxi. Cats are commonly prescribed Amoxicillin but in different doses and concentrations. If the cat is fine, it shouldn't need an oral antibiotic, the topical should be fine. If you have any concerns about the wound or the cat gets worse... Lethargic, not eating... Definately call your vet and they will give you the proper dosage of meds.

Also animals can have reactions to nonprescribed meds... your best bet would be to continue with the topical, wounds take well over a week to heal, and abcesses will take longer... and if the cat gets worse THEN call the vet about the Amoxi.

Source(s):

Vet Tech Training

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

THX, you're answer was made complete sense. That's what I was thinking but just needed someone to verify it for me. I'm keeping a constant eye on it, and will definately take him in if he starts acting bad. Your answer is greatly appreciated.

Answer 2

you may be able to, call and ask your vet for help. DO NOT let your cat outside until he heals. he may get hurt even worse if he gets in a nother fight.

Answer 3

no, It may be too strong for him, just go to the vet i got drops for my cat and it was like 14 bucks.

Answer 4

I'm no vet but I had a cat for years. Any antibiotic, or other medicine, is definitely too strong for your friendly feline. Prescriptions work on weight and size of patient. Also taken into consideration is allergies to meds. If kitty is doing well I'd suggest you simply keep your eye on the wound and look for signs of infection -ie:puss, swelling and angry redness around the wound, red streaks running from wound towards the heart. Whatever you do do not give any prescription drugs without first consulting vet, especially meds for humans -child or otherwise. Regularly check its nose to ensure it's moist and cool. Warm/hot and dry are also signs of infection and fever.

Answer 5

Ok, before giving your cat the amoxicillin call two vets and explain your situation as to being out of work and wanting to care for your cat with amoxicillin. I think they won't commit before examining the cat.

Maybe they could advise you as to what to do in your case.

I think you should go with your last resort and "bite the bullet" get your cat in to the vet and put it on your Visa. You will feel so much better.

If you had given your cat the wrong dosage or wrong medication and she died then how would you feel?

Just get him in.

Answer 6

I have never given any antibiotic to a cat that I hadn't gotten from their vets so I can't tell you what the dosage would be.

I know from human medicine that there should never be any "left-over" antibiotic in your house. The full dosage needs to be taken until the bottle is empty. So if you use that stuff you will not have the right amount to help your cat nor know the dosage and I think you are very unwise if not irresponsible to do this on your own.

Answer 7

You seem to be doing a great job. Please call your local vet and just "ask" over the phone if it will hurt your cat. I know giving a cat an aspirin can kill it, horribly, so other human drugs I'm not so sure about. But, again, just call and thanks for caring so well for your little friend!

Answer 8

I have been in your shoes before. No money and a cat that has something wrong. The last time my cat needed an antibiotic the vet gave me baxil. Before that clavamox 62.5 mg twice a day. clavamox is a form of amoxicillin. I don't know if it would be OK. I am not a vet. My cats have had abscesses before if you put neosporin on it be sure you squeeze it all over inside the abscess. I know this is gross but it will get better from this. I have had lots of cats get better on there own.Good luck

Answer 9

If you don't get an answer I would call the vets office on Monday and explain to them what is going on and that you are out of work and money. They may either be nice and let you know the dosage or they may work out a payment plan. Keep using the wound dressing for now and make sure you don't see any puss. If you start seeing puss get it in asap as a cat is small and it doesn't take a lot for them to die. It has been said that a cats mouth has more bacteria than most pets. Watch the wound

Answer 10

you should not give your cat any medicine unless it's vet recommends it.

Answer 11

A suspension is a liquid that started as a powder. It had water added. As soon as that water was added, it had a shelf-life of 10 days. Is it now past 10 days????????? Medication in suspension does not last long and it probably should be thrown out!!!!!!!!!

Amoxi is not the first choice for an abcess anyway.

The dosage of Amoxi for cats is 50mg/10 lbs.....if you are going to use it even if it is expired.

I guess if it hasn't expired and you cannot take the cat to the vet, then use it. Apply warm compresses to the abcess daily also to get the pus out. Keep it opened so it will drain. It would probably heal on its own anyway, but the Amoxi can't hurt. If you give too much, diarrhea may occur.

It is not rocket science to get the correct dosage!!! 1cc, or 1ml (same thing) of the suspension that you have will be 50 mg. That is the dosage for a 10 pound cat. If the cat is 15 pounds, give 1 1/2 cc. If it is 5 pounds, give 1/2cc. You are not going to kill the cat if it gets a little more or less than it needs. It is after all, only Amoxi.

Source(s):

Vet Tech at a cat shelter

Answer 12

DO NOT give to your cat. The dosage is for a child not a feline. The drug is meant for humans, not felines. You could kill your cat if you give it that medcine that is meant for humans, not felines. Their bodies are different and work differently from ours.

Answer 13

I would call the vet and see if they can calculate the dose for you. I'm a vet student and could calculate it for you but I have been studying all day for a Small Animal Medicine exam and my brain is fried. If you can get anyone to calculate it for you though email me and I'll do it for you.

Answer 14

To me you are a caring cat owner, but go to a vet and show him/her the antibiotics tell him/her the situation you are in and they can help u out. I hoped I helped

Answer 15

If your vet recommends it den yes..but if not then I dont think that's the best thing to do!

Answer 16

ummm...... well its not close to what a vet would give him the thing i would do is take him to atlanta georgia and take it to atlanta humane society or look on the internet at atlantahumane.com and look for the number they only charge $15.00 and they will fix it!.
= )

Answer 17

yep you can but ask a vet for the dosage

Answer 18

Taking your obviously sick cat to the vet is your last resort?
You shouldn't even own a pet.

Answer 19

I do know that they typically give Amoxicillin to cats to treat infections, but I am unsure of the dose. Maybe about 4cc'c.