Antibiotics for UTI in Cats

Antibiotics for UTI need to be chosen carefully. If your pet is affected by a urinary tract infection, antibiotics are the treatment of choice. If the antibiotic you administer to your cat is not designed to attack the specific bacteria causing the infection, the treatment might only strengthen the resistance of the bacteria and worsen your cat’s condition. Antibiotics can also trigger allergies or have side effects. Therefore, it is important to consult your veterinarian and have your cat’s infection diagnosed correctly.

Antibiotics for UTI in Cats

Urinary tract infections can be bothersome and cause pain. Urinary infections are very common in felines. One of the most visible signs of UTI is that the cat has problems when using the litter box. He will have the tendency to urinate around it or stop using it. Urinary tract infections are generally caused by bacteria. The most common treatment for UTI is a course of antibiotics. The effect of the treatment should be visible within days. Antibiotics destroy the bacteria causing the infection and relieve the symptoms.

If your cat has been treated for UTI with antibiotics, you should try to avoid the recurrence of the infection. Antibiotics cannot be used excessively. In time, the bacteria might develop resistance to antibiotics leaving the veterinarian with fewer treatment options.

Diagnosis and Prescription of Antibiotics for Cats

The antibiotics that the veterinarian prescribes for your cat’s urinary tract infection have to target the specific bacteria causing the infection. Veterinarians perform a urinalysis to identify the cause of the infection. Depending on the result, he will prescribe the most appropriate antibiotic. When prescribing antibiotics, your veterinarian will take into consideration the toxicity and the incidence of side effects. Most common antibiotics for UTI in cats are:

  • Amoxicillin
  • Cephalexin
  • Enrofloxacin.

You should always respect your veterinarian’s recommendations when it comes to antibiotics treatment. Pay attention to the dosage and the administration schedule.

Amoxicillin and Clavulante for Dogs

Amoxicillin is a moderate-spectrum antibiotic. It is used to treat bacterial infections. Some veterinarians prefer amoxicillin because it has a better absorption than other beta-lactam antibiotics. Moreover, used with clavulanic acid, it can fight beta-lactamase-producing bacteria which are generally resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics. These bacteria can produce lactamase which neutralizes the effect of the antibiotic. The clavulanic acid inhibits the lactamase production and the antibiotics will destroy the bacteria.

Amoxicillin and Clavulante are dosed according to the cat’s weight: 5mg to 12 mg per pound. The doses should be administered 2 or 3 times a day.

Cephalexin for Dogs

Cephalexin is another antibiotic prescribed by veterinarians for urinary tract infections. It does not allow bacteria to develop protective cell walls. This causes the destruction of bacteria. Cephalexin is administered depending on the body weight. The recommended dosage for cats is 10 mg to 15 mg administered every 8 hours.

Enrofloxacin for Dog Bacterial Infections

Enrofloxacin is used in several types of bacterial infections and is very efficient in eliminating urinary tract infections. It is administered per body weight and 1 dose should not contain more than 3mg per pound of body weight.

 

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