What Are The Best Practices For Antibiotic Use In Feline Upper Respiratory Tract Disease
Diagnosis and treatment can be simplified by assessing whether the disease is in the acute or chronic state.
The following article is the first in a three-part series summarizing information fromthe new guidelines on the use of antimicrobials in dogs and cats with respiratory tract disease. These recommendations were developed by the Antimicrobial Guidelines Working Group of the International Society for Companion Animal Infectious Diseases.
Overview
Feline upper respiratory tract disease can present with clinical signs that include serous or mucopurulent nasal discharge, sneezing, epistaxis and conjunctivitis. The most common infectious causes of acute URTD in cats are feline herpesvirus 1 or feline calicivirus , which can often be complicated by secondary bacterial infections caused by a variety of organisms. It is these secondary bacterial pathogens that are often the focus of treatment in cats with URTD.
Acute disease
Chronic disease
Use of azithromycin should be reserved for patients in which chlamydiosis is not considered likely and when other drugs are not viable options.
Table: First-line antimicrobial options
Dosing Amoxicillin For Cats
Homeopet Feline Wrm Clear
Almost all cats get worms at least once in their life. Even if they never go outside, you do, and you might bring dormant worm eggs into your home without even realizing it. These nasty parasites can cause lethargy, diarrhea, and weight loss â despite normal or heightened eating habits.
A variety of worms can cause different problems for your pet: hookworm, tapeworm, roundworm, and so on. Luckily, products like HomeoPet Feline Wrm Clear are designed to target and kill them all without injuring the feline. Put it in their water or administer it orally and watch the symptoms clear up. They even prevent future infestations by suppressing egg production.
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Is It Safe To Give Cats Homemade Antibiotics
The fact that most homemade antibiotics, being natural, have little to no side effects does not mean that they can be given whenever you feel like it. They too, like their synthetic medications, have side effects due to an overdose.
While it is safe to give cats these products, a proper diagnosis needs to be carried out to know exactly what the cat is suffering from and the best solution to the issue. Otherwise, you may be treating a nonexistent problem in your cat.
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Vetriscience Ut Strength Feline
Have you noticed anything unusual when cleaning the litter box? Has your ordinarily wonderful cat been relieving itself outside the litter box? If either is the case, your poor kitty may have a urinary tract infection. This issue is no joke: it can cause pain, distress, and a whole lot of mess.
VetriScienceâs UT Strength Feline Bite-Sized Chews may be just what your cat needs. Just two tablets a day, either during or after feeding, can gradually clear up the infection. Please note VetriScienceâs warning to keep these chews out of petsâ reach because âsome pets may consider this a treat.â No need to worry about whether your cat will like it.
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Common Antibiotics For Cats
As a loving and caring pet parent, you will need to ensure that your feline friend stays healthy and happy. Aside from feeding your cat with the right food, water, and keeping their environment clean, youll also want to ensure that theyre protected from common diseases. This way, you will ensure that your pet does not always need medications.
However, should your cat develop a disease that will require antibiotics, it is crucial to ensure that you make the right choice. To that end, here are some of the common antibiotics for cats and their uses:
Are There Any Risk Factors For This Medication
Amoxicillin should not be used in pets that are allergic to it or other penicillins, cephalosporins, or other beta-lactam antibiotics. Do not use in rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, or other small mammals. Do not give by mouth to pets with a blood infection, shock, or other grave illnesses, is it will likely be ineffective. Use cautiously in pregnant or lactating pets, although use of this medication is likely safe.
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Not So Sure Your Veterinarian Is On Board With These By
Get a second opinion. Its never OK to live with uncertainty on this crucial issue. And just in case youre the kind that likes to be more self-reliant than most, consider getting even better educated on the subject.
For more detailed reading on whats right and not right in the world of antibiotics in animal health, check out The Bella Moss Foundation. This UK group is dedicated to the responsible use of antibiotics worldwide and its comprehensive website always offers the most practical and up-to-date information on the subject.
Now, Im not saying Im perfect and that Ive never erred on any of these five key points Ive listed above. In fact, I once recall a six-week course of antibiotics for my sons never-cultured sinus infection .
Of course, were all guilty of wanting to go for what seems to be the most expedient course. Nonetheless, now that you know how its supposed to be done, how will YOU be approaching these drugs differently?
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Will Clavamox Help My Pet
Most pets given this treatment will respond well. Most signs of the infection startto go away within three days. If they do not, your pet may:
- Have more than one kind of bacterial infection
- Have an infection caused by something other than bacteria
- Be stressed or have other diseases that weaken the body’s ability to help fight off the infection
- Need a different antibiotic, because the bacteria causing the infection are not bacteria that Clavamox® works against
If your pet doesn’t seem to be getting better, contact your veterinarian.Yourveterinarian may do some extra tests. The kind of antibiotic your pet is takingmay also be changed.
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Can I Use Neosporin On My Cat
Many human medications are toxic or otherwise dangerous for pets. This is especially true for cats since their compact size means that even the tiniest amounts of a dangerous substance can be life-threatening.
Neosporin is a topical antibiotic ointment that works very well on humans but is not recommended for cats. There have been reports of cats having severe anaphylactic reactions to the antibiotic ingredients in Neosporin’s ophthalmic preparations which include neomycin and polymyxin B.
Only use treatments prescribed by your veterinarian to treat eye infections in your pet.
Injectable Antibiotics For Cats: Pros And Cons
If your cat is sick, you may be told that you should give her an injectable antibiotic. But is it safe? Heres what you need to know.
Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to pets when they arent feeling well. But while you might immediately think of antibiotics that come in the form of pills or liquids, there is another option to be aware of.
If your cat is in need of antibiotics to combat an illness, your veterinarian might suggest an injectable antibiotic, such as Convenia. But before you agree to this treatment option, consider the pros and cons, some of which are outlined below. It turns out that, while antibiotic injections might certainly be beneficial, there are several reasons why some experts advocate against using them.
Generally, an antibiotic injection can be fast acting, which means it might help your pet feel better soon after she receives the shot. And one shot might be able to do the work of many days worth of antibiotics that would be given by mouth. So, you can see how this might be a convenient solution if your kitty is diagnosed with a condition that this type of medication is designed to treat.
One of the main reasons why antibiotic injections are so popular is because cats could be difficult to medicate when you have to give them oral antibiotics every day. Some cats might become agitated or downright aggressive when theyre being medicated, while others might feel frightened and hide as soon as they realize that its time to take their medicine.
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Terminology Of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Acute upper respiratory tract infections in dogs and cats can be caused by a variety of viruses as well as primary and secondary bacterial pathogens. Most infections are viral in etiology and are not expected to respond to antibiotic therapy.5 Various terms are used to describe these infections in dogs, they are commonly referred to as canine infectious respiratory disease complex , infectious tracheobronchitis, or kennel cough. In cats, they are commonly referred to as feline upper respiratory tract disease , feline infectious respiratory disease, feline respiratory disease complex, and feline upper respiratory infection.11,12 For simplicity, this article uses CIRDC and URTD.
Is Neosporin Safe For Cats
Human medications are often toxic or otherwise dangerous for animals, especially cats. Their compact size means that even the tiniest amounts of a toxic substance could put your cat’s life at risk.
Neosporin is a staple found in many people’s first aid kits. This topical antibiotic ointment can work very well on humans but it not recommended for cats. Cases have been reported of cats having life-threatening anaphylactic reactions to some of the antibiotic ingredients in Neosporin’s ophthalmic preparations which include neomycin and polymyxin B.
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Why Does My Cat Need Antibiotics
Vets will prescribe antibiotics for cats that have been diagnosed with a bacterial infection that is unlikely to clear up on its own, or if they think it could spread to other animals. Without treatment, bacterial infections can become more serious and lead to complications down the line.
Some infections that require antibiotics are:
Antibiotic Stewardship In Canine And Feline Respiratory Infections
Wilson Cooper Brookshire
DVM, MS, DACVPM , DABVP
Dr. Brookshire is a 2010 graduate of Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine . After 5 years of companion animal practice, he joined the faculty of MSU CVM. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine , the ACVPM Epidemiology Specialty, and of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Canine and Feline Practice. He holds a masters degree in population medicine from MSU CVM and a graduate certificate in Shelter Medicine from the University of Florida. He is a member of the AVMA Committee on Antimicrobials and is the 2020 Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association Young Veterinarian of the Year.
Jacob M. Shivley
DVM, MS
Dr. Shivley obtained his DVM degree from Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008, followed by a rotating internship. He then completed a surgical internship at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Wheat Ridge, Colo. After 3 years in small animal practice, he returned to MSU as faculty of the shelter medicine program. In 2019, he obtained his masters degree with an emphasis on teaching and learning. His interests include veterinary medical education and HQHVSN techniques. He is passionate about songwriting and worship music and is the worship pastor at his church.
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Antiviral Therapy For Cats
L-Lysine has been touted as an oral supplement to reduce viral shedding, but its efficacy in reducing clinical signs has come into question.24 Antiviral medicines should be considered for cats suspected to have feline herpesvirus. Famciclovir has been shown to improve disease outcomes and is considered generally safe.25 Topical antiviral therapy, such as idoxuridine or cidofovir, may help alleviate some ocular signs secondary to feline herpesvirus infection.12
Upper respiratory infections in shelter or cattery-housed cats present multifaceted problems that are beyond the scope of this article. Biosecurity, vaccination, overcrowding, and numerous other factors must be holistically managed to minimize the incidence and prevalence of URTD in shelter-housed cats.26
What Human Antibiotics Are Safe For Cats
While some antibiotics prescribed to your cat by the vet might seem to be the same ones your doctor prescribed you in the past, you should be aware that antibiotics and other pharmaceuticals used in veterinary medicine are prepared with specific dosages and components to make them safe for cats. Some human antibiotics are not safe for your pets, likewise, there are veterinary-specific antibiotics that are not used in human medicine.
Image by: Veera, Shutterstock
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Antibiotics Are For Bacterial Infections
and that means they wont work for every kind of infection. For example, colds and flus are caused by viruses and, as such, will NOT respond to antibiotics. Offering them in these cases only exposes a wider range of bacteria to these drugs, thereby increasing the chances for the development of resistant strains of bacteria.
What Are The Symptoms Of Cat Eye Infections
When your cat has an eye infection the symptoms can affect just one of your cat’s eyes or both. In many cases cats initially show symptoms just in one eye but the infection soon spreads to the other eye. In cases where your cat’s eye infection is the result of an upper respiratory infection, your cat may also show cold-type symptoms such as nasal discharge and sneezing.
Common signs of eye infections in cats include:
- Whites of the eye may turn red
Azithromycin Oral Antibiotic
Topical Corticosteroid Drops & Ointment
L-lysine
Interferon alpha-2b
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When And Why Might A Cat Need Antibiotics
If your vet thinks your cats infection wont clear up by itself, theyre probably going to prescribe an antibiotic. Without antibiotics, some infections can get worse. Here are some common causes of cat infection:
- Skin infection. Cats can develop skin infections that require the use of antibiotics. The types of infections include things like pyoderma or secondary infection caused by ringworm.
- Upper respiratory infection. If your cat cant stop sneezing or has a runny nose or eyes, they might have an upper respiratory infection. These infections can be easily treated by antibiotics.
- Urinary tract infection. If you notice blood around your cats litter box, they could have a UTI. UTIs are infections that affect the bladder, urethra, or kidneys of cats. While there are some natural remedies to treat UTIs in cats, theyre most effectively treated with antibiotics.
- Gastrointestinal upset. Is your cat having tummy troubles? Diarrhea in cats may be caused by an underlying infection that antibiotics can treat.
- Surgery. After cats have surgery, they might groom or lick their open wounds to soothe any pain or discomfort. This, however, can cause damage to any stitches they may have and consequential infection.
How Are Eye Infections In Cats Treated
Your vet will determine the best treatment for your cat’s eye infection based upon the results of the examination and of your cat’s overall health.
If the eye infection is the primary concern your vet may recommend a topical treatment for your cat’s eye such as Terramycin® or Vetropolycin®.
If however your cat’s eye infection is due to an underlying condition such as FeLV or Calicivirus the underlying condition may be the main focus of the treatment. Treatments for underlying conditions will depend upon the nature of the illness but may include oral antibiotics, immune boosters or other treatments.
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How Do Antibiotics For Cats Work
Antibiotics for cats work by fighting off bacterial infections. To be more precise, antibiotics have two modes of action some are bactericidal, and others are bacteriostatic.
Bactericidal antibiotics kill bacteria directly, while bacteriostatic antibiotics inhibit bacterial growth. Beta-lactams is an example of a bactericidal agent, while tetracycline is bacteriostatic.
What Are Some Problems That Can Arise If A Wound Goes Untreated
With infections that are not treated, a more serious disease can result. The following are some more serious complications caused by an untreated cat bite wound:
- Lethargy and fever
- In very rare circumstances, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis or an infection of the joint or bone can occur
Unfortunately, cat bite wounds are a very common injury that I treat. It is imperative that your cat be evaluated by a veterinarian and treated with antibiotics immediately. If left untreated, these wounds can result in serious complications and illness.
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Top Antibiotics For Cats
There are many cat-friendly antimicrobials. Lets take a closer look at the most commonly used antibiotics.
Amoxil . Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum penicillin-type antibiotic and the most commonly prescribed antimicrobial in human and veterinary medicine. Amoxicillin is used to treat various conditions, from ear andskin issues to respiratory and urinary tract infections and gastrointestinal problems.
