The Five Most Commonly Prescribed Feline Antibiotics

Feline antibiotics are some of the most commonly used medicines amongst veterinarians and pet owners alike. Antibiotics are potent drugs that are used to combat bacteria-related diseases in cats. While they do not serve as a cat tranquilizer or as treatment for cat allergies, antibiotics are nevertheless a leading form of cat medicine. Although amitriptyline is a commonly prescribed feline medicine, it is not an antibiotic. While their uses are confined to bacteria-related conditions, different forms of antibiotics still serve a variety of functions, and they are not always interchangeable.

Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is the leading feline antibiotic. Derived from penicillin, it has a broad range of uses and is effective at combating bacteria of many different types. One benefit of amoxicillin over other feline antibiotics is that it is resistant to digestion and breakdown in your pet's system. This results in a higher level of effectiveness and a longer effect after each dose.

Cephalexin

Cephalexin, otherwise known as Keflex, is a broad spectrum antibiotic medicine that is most commonly used to fight surface level bacterial infections. While amoxicillin is not generally effective against staphylococcal infections of the skin, cephalexin is able to adequately address this condition.

Enrofloxacin

Enrofloxacin is an antibiotic that can be used between both cats and dogs. Like cephalexin, it is effective at reducing bacterial infections on the skin. It also has a variety of other areas of effectiveness and can also be used to address other bacteria throughout the body.

Sulfadimethoxine

This antibiotic is one of several used to address bacterial infections of the intestinal and digestive tracts. Bacterial infections of these types can cause painful inflammation, weight loss, diarrhea and vomiting and a host of other symptoms. While there are a number of types of bacteria that can cause infections of this type, and no single antibiotic can address each of them, sulfadimethoxine is effective at reducing bacteria spread for a number of different types of bacteria.

Tetracycline

Tetracycline actually refers to a number of different antibiotics. This antibiotic family has a wide range of uses for infections in particular areas of the body such as the eyes and nervous systems. Many other types of antibiotics are unable to address bacterial growth in these areas, but tetracycline antibiotics are effective in these cases. They function by eliminating the bacteria's ability to produce proteins, which effectively kills the bacteria.

If you suspect that your pet may be suffering from a condition related to bacteria, or if your pet shows any unusual warning signs or symptoms of disease at all, take him to a veterinarian for a prompt and thorough examination. Antibiotics are helpful medicines, but they are not effective in all cases. A veterinarian can properly diagnose your animal's condition and help to recommend appropriate treatment options.

 

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