Many pet owners prefer to give their feline Clavamox tablets as a treatment for a urinary tract infection rather than providing their cat injections. Cat pills can also be difficult to administer to your animal, while tablets can be included along with food and make for an easy treatment procedure. Clavamox is a leading medicine used to treat a variety of infections of the feline urinary tract.
Clavamox Overview
Clavamox contains a combination of the lactamase inhibitor clavulanate potassium and the broad-spectrum antibiotic amoxicillin. This combination of chemicals allows Clavamox to effectively exist in the acidic conditions within your pet's gastrointestinal tract without being naturally dissolved and digested. The amoxicillin portion of the drug can then serve its function of eliminating the bacteria in your cat's urinary tract.
Using Clavamox to Treat Your Pet's UTI
Clavamox is a prescription drug and is available only after veterinary consultation. If your cat displays difficulty urinating, refuses to urinate, or if his urine has an unusual smell or color, take him to a veterinarian for diagnosis right away. Urinary tract infections can be dangerous and harmful if they spread to other parts of your cat's body.
After diagnosing the urinary tract infection, your vet will recommend an antibiotic like Clavamox to address the condition. The exact dosage of the medicine depends upon your cat's weight, and most veterinarians recommend providing two doses of the medicine to your cat per day over a period up to 2 weeks.
Because some cats find the taste of Clavamox to be bitter or unpleasant, you may wish to grind up the dose and mix it in with your pet's food. However you end up administering the drug to your pet, ensure that he consumes all of the Clavamox that he is intended to, as failure to do so may interrupt the progression of the treatment and may result in antibiotic-resistant bacteria that are more difficult to eradicate.
Clavamox has been shown to elicit an allergic reaction in a small percentage of cats. It may also interact negatively with other drugs or nutritional supplements in your cat's body, so it is crucial that you notify your vet of all medicines that your cat has in his system before beginning a Clavamox treatment. Similarly, watch your cat for any signs of allergic reaction or other side effects. The most common side effects associated with Clavamox use in cats are:
- Fungal or yeast infections
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Drowsiness or lethargy
Clavamox should not be given to pregnant cats. If your cat's diarrhea and vomiting persist for more than two days, continue giving him the medicine as scheduled but consult with a veterinarian for further advice.
Clavamox is an effective means of reducing the bacteria that contribute to urinary tract infections and other types of skin infections as well. If your cat suffers from one of these conditions, speak with your veterinarian about the feasibility of using Clavamox as a means of controlling his ailment.