When your cat at home is in poor health and needs antibiotics for treatment, you may be concerned that the medication could harm your furry friend. However, antibiotics are entirely safe and beneficial for your cat if used correctly. Let’s learn how to use antibiotics for cats in the following article.
What are antibiotics for cats?
Antibiotics for cats are medications used when a cat is infected with bacteria or viruses. Antibiotics work by inhibiting the growth and killing the cells of bacteria or viruses that cause various diseases such as pneumonia, dermatitis, and urinary tract infections. However, some bacteria or viruses may develop resistance to antibiotics, making the disease more difficult to treat.
When your cat shows signs of infection, promptly take them to the veterinary clinic for examination and bacterial identification. The veterinarian will then prescribe suitable antibiotics for your cat.
What is the function of specialized antibiotics for cats?
In cases where a kitten is infected with bacteria or viruses but its immune system is not strong enough to resist the invasion, antibiotics will work to kill the bacteria and stop their growth.
Common infections requiring antibiotics include those affecting the respiratory system, digestive system, and urinary tract. Antibiotics are recommended under the prescription and supervision of a veterinarian to ensure the correct dosage and usage.
How to use antibiotics for cats?
Here is a basic guide on using antibiotics for cats that you should know:
Use the correct type of antibiotics
The most important thing when using antibiotics for a cat with an infection is to identify the type of bacteria causing the disease and use the appropriate antibiotics for treatment. You should take your cat to the veterinary clinic for examination and bacterial testing in areas such as the skin, open wounds, and anus to determine the type of bacteria causing the disease.
Side effects of antibiotics
You should never use antibiotics for your cat without consulting a veterinarian for proper diagnosis and accurate prescription. Improper or indiscriminate use of antibiotics can lead to the cat’s body developing resistance to the drugs and cause dangerous side effects such as mild or severe abdominal pain or even death.
Use antibiotics according to the veterinarian’s instructions
You need to use the correct dosage and timing as prescribed and not skip doses or discontinue the medication on your own, as this may cause more harm than not using antibiotics at all. Additionally, do not reuse leftover antibiotics and seek veterinary attention if your cat shows adverse reactions.
What should be noted when administering antibiotics to cats?
In addition to oral tablets, injectable antibiotics are commonly used to treat infections in cats. When instructed to inject, pay attention to the following:
- Inject the correct dosage at the correct time as directed by the veterinarian. Never adjust the dose or timing without permission.
- Clean and disinfect the infected area and instruments before starting the injection. Also, inject into the correct position and depth in the cat’s muscle, avoiding too much force to prevent damage to the nerves and muscle tissues.
- Closely monitor your cat’s condition after antibiotic injection. If your cat shows symptoms such as vomiting or abdominal pain, take them to the nearest veterinary clinic for examination.
- Never buy antibiotics and administer them to your cat without proper diagnosis and prescription.
Above is information on the basic guidelines and precautions for using antibiotics for cats when they have infections. Please save and use antibiotics correctly in similar cases.