Treatment With Antibiotics in Cats

For bacteria-related diseases, the veterinarian will often prescribe antibiotics. Read everything you need to know about giving antibiotics to cats here.

Almost every domestic cat has to take antibiotics at some point in the event of illness. In many cases, this even saves the cat’s life. Find out more about antibiotics in cats here:

• When do cats need antibiotics?
• How to give antibiotics to the cat
• How long does it take for antibiotics to work in cats?
• What are the side effects of antibiotics in cats?

When Do Cats Need Antibiotics?

Antibiotics are used when it comes to fighting disease-causing bacteria. Otherwise, pathogenic bacteria multiply in the cat’s body, trigger inflammation, and can damage organs. Depending on the type of antibiotic, it stops the bacteria from multiplying, allowing the body to fight the infection itself, or it kills the bacteria altogether.

Symptoms of bacterial diseases can include:

• fever
• loss of appetite
• Vomit
• diarrhea
• pains

Also, antibiotics are given to cats after surgeries and injuries. The most common bacterial diseases in cats that require antibiotics are skin inflammation or abscesses after biting and scratching injuries.

Antibiotics For Viral Diseases?

Antibiotics only work against bacteria, not viruses. An exception is cat flu. Although the underlying disease is caused by a virus, bacteria are often involved in the disease process. Cat flu can also be treated with antibiotics to support healing.

However, antibiotics do not help with pure viral diseases, such as infections caused by parasites, FIV, or bladder infections caused by bladder gravel.

How to Give Antibiotics to the Cat

Antibiotics for pets are specially manufactured and approved. The gift takes place only after veterinary prescription and instruction. When treating antibiotics, it is important to always strictly adhere to the dosage and duration of treatment specified by the veterinarian; even if the symptoms have subsided before then.

The dosage and duration of treatment are determined by the veterinarian. It depends on the disease, the preparation, the weight, and the age of the cat.

If your cat needs to take antibiotics, your vet should answer the following questions:

• How should the antibiotic be given?
• How long and how often a day does it have to be entered?
• Can it be given with food?
• Does the antibiotic effect other medications the animal is taking?

Tip: Give the cat antibiotics

Many cats stubbornly refuse to take pills. Let the vet show you how best to hold the cat, open its mouth and insert the tablet as far back into the throat as possible.

If this does not work, you can powder the antibiotic after consulting the veterinarian. Put the powder on some minced meat and shape it into small balls.

If all attempts fail, you must not simply stop the treatment. In the worst case, the cat may need to be taken to the vet every day to receive its medication.

How Long Does it Take for Antibiotics to Work in Cats?

Antibiotic therapy usually works very quickly in cats. The disease-causing bacteria are killed and the cat will soon appear healthier again.

It is important that you still comply with the duration of treatment prescribed by the veterinarian. If the antibiotic is stopped too early or the dose is too low, more and more pathogens become insensitive to the antibiotic – they develop resistance. As a result, the antibiotic is no longer effective in future illnesses.

If the dosage is too low or the therapy is stopped early, the risk of antibiotic resistance increases, and the drugs become less effective.

What Are the Side Effects Of Antibiotics in Cats?

Rare side effects of antibiotic therapy in cats can include:

• diarrhea
• Vomit
• allergic reaction like itching

If you see an adverse reaction in your cat, consult the vet, but don’t just stop taking the antibiotic.

Intestinal Cleansing After Antibiotics

Antibiotics fight all bacteria in the body. Useful intestinal bacteria are also killed when antibiotics are administered. If necessary – especially after a long course of antibiotic therapy – an intestinal cleansing with a probiotic for cats can take place. Probiotics support the good bacteria in your gut. Your veterinarian will be happy to advise you on this.