Several types of microorganisms can cause all sorts of infections in your cat's body. This article will focus on bacteria and how best to treat it! Antibiotics for cats are used to treat many different types of bacterial diseases.
However, you cannot start treating your cat with this type of medicine without consulting your veterinarian first! Sometimes, your pet might display side-effects or allergies that cannot be overlooked. These and other important issues will be addressed in this pet parent guide!
What are bacterial infections?
Firstly, the bacterium is a microorganism that can attack your cat's body. It enters your cat’s body through open wounds, in food, or just by being around in your cat's environment. Additionally, they come in different shapes and sizes. Their physical characteristics will help your veterinarian to determine which bacteria are infecting your cat.
Although microscopic, these one-celled organisms cause many diseases. As you may already know, if your pet is not treated immediately with antibiotics for cats, the bacterium can multiply rapidly. The most common bacterial diseases are:
- Bite wound abscess
- Bacterial skin infection
- Eye infections
What are antibiotics for cats?
Antibiotics for cats are a type of drug used in the treatment of bacterial infections. Also, this type of medicine come in two forms: bacteriostatic which stop the bacteria reproducing or bactericide which kills the bacteria.
Generally, antibiotics for cats come in tablet, injectable or liquid form. Among the most commonly prescribed antibiotics given to cats you can find : Gentamicin, Amoxicillin and Azithromycin.
How do antibiotics for cats work?
The goal of any antibiotics for cats is to destroy the bad cells inside your pet’s body without damaging the healthy cells. Incredibly, antibiotics can cause a lot of different effects. For example, an antibiotic may prevent the bacterium from creating cell walls, thus hindering reproduction or it can also starve the bacterium by preventing it from transforming glucose into energy. Miraculously, medicine has come a long way! Antibiotics are the living proof that technology can make miracles happen.
Are there any side effects from the use of antibiotics?
Yes, there are. But then again, which medication doesn’t? Nevertheless, the potential for side effects is minimal. Side effects may vary depending on the antibiotics used. Common side effects may include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Swelling
- Difficulty breathing
- Itching
- Scratching
- Rashes
- Seizures
- Toxicity
- Abnormal growth or development of unborn kittens (if used in pregnancy).
A common and simple way to minimize side effects is to give your cat some yoghurt or probiotics to replace all the helpful bacteria killed by the medication. Curiously, yoghurt is an excellent method to deal with any bacterial entanglement within your cat's body. If you have never given your cat a taste of this, don't worry! He may not like it at first but he will eventually!
Always consult with your vet first
This is important because your veterinarian is the only one that can prescribe antibiotics for cats. Nevertheless, he will need to examine your pet to determine what is wrong with him. Don’t forget: never give your cat antibiotics prescribed for human use! Likewise, always follow the recommended dose when giving antibiotics to your cat.
Sometimes antibiotics for cats are not efficient
On occasions, antibiotics will fail to do its job for a number of reasons like improper administration wrong dosage or frequency instructions. Sometimes, the bacteria are resistant to that particular type of antibiotic. Eventually, this will force you to look for another type. Generally, the over-use and misuse of antibiotics will create strains of bacteria which are resistant to most common antibiotics. That is why you should use antibiotics for cats to treat bacterial infection exclusively.
Always remember that antibiotics can do a lot of good against nasty infections. Surely, you have used this type of medicine to treat yourself or any family member. Well, cats are no different than humans! Hopefully, you have learnt a lot about the use of antibiotics for cats. Next time your cat faces a dangerous virus or a bacterial infection, consider using antibiotics. Lastly, make sure to get a prescription from your vet before giving your cat any medication!
