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Cat Antibiotics

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Prescription Antibiotics for Cats and What They Treat

When your cat gets an infection, it’s likely their treatment will include prescription antibiotics. The type of medication will depend on the type of illness and the overall health of your pet. Antibiotics are effective against bacterial infections, but not viral ones. Because there are so many different causes of an infection, it’s best to consult your pet’s veterinarian for a proper diagnosis. They will prescribe the right prescription antibiotics for cats and give you specific dosage instructions.

Amoxicillin: A good all-around antibiotic, amoxicillin for cats works to stop bacterial growth and is typically used to treat a variety of infections. It’s available in capsule form and is administered orally. Amoxicillin for cats can also be given with food and comes in multiple dosage forms for fussier pets.

Cephalexin: A prescription antibiotic, cephalexin capsules are used for specific bacterial infections, including skin wounds and abscesses, and cat UTI treatment. Cephalexin for cats is available in both capsule and liquid form and is administered orally. It may be given with a small amount of food.

Clindamycin: An antibiotic used for deep skin and mouth infections, including dental and bone bacterial ailments, clindamycin also treats some protozoan infections. Clindamycin for cats is available in capsule or tablet form and is given orally. If you are using the tablet or capsule forms, ensure your pet has some water to wash it down, or it could cause damage to their esophagus.

Doxycycline: Used specifically to combat diseases spread by ticks, doxycycline is a prescription antibiotic that treats infections including Lyme disease, salmon poisoning, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Doxycycline for cats is available in both capsule and tablet forms and is administered orally. It may be given with food and cats should have at least a teaspoon of water.

Metronidazole: Another prescription antibiotic, metronidazole is used as an antiprotozoal medication for infections, including intestinal parasites and diarrheal diseases. Metronidazole for cats is available in tablet form in two strengths and is administered orally.

Orbax: A prescription antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections in your pet’s skin, soft tissue, and urinary tract. Orbax for cats is available in tablet form and administered orally. It may be given with water, but should NOT be given with food or supplements.

More detailed information about these antibiotics for cats – including administration, side effects, and additional points to bring up with your veterinarian – can be found by clicking on the individual antibiotics pages.

FAQs about Antibiotics for Cats

The best selling cat prescription antibiotic brands are:

At Petco, you can order antibiotics for your pet online. Add the item to your cart, fill in your cat and veterinarian’s information, and we will handle getting the prescription.

Symptoms of an infection in your cat can differ based on cause and location of the infection. Some symptoms can be sneezing, cough, fever, depression, decrease in appetite, hiding, and neglecting grooming.

Antibiotics for pets require a prescription from your veterinarian.

Your veterinarian will put careful consideration into your cat’s antibiotic schedule. Serious complications may arise if you stop short of the veterinarian-recommended course of antibiotics.

It is not common for antibiotics to make cats sleepy. However, it is possible that some cats may experience side effects from antibiotics, which may include lethargy, weakness, or loss of appetite. These side effects are typically mild and temporary and should improve as the cat's body adjusts to the medication.

If your cat is experiencing unusual sleepiness or other concerning symptoms while taking antibiotics, it is important to contact your veterinarian for advice. Your veterinarian may recommend adjusting the dosage or switching to a different medication to minimize side effects and ensure that your cat receives effective treatment for their condition.

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