Content
- What is Doxycycline for Cats
- What is Doxycycline for Cats
- Dosage of Doxycycline for Cats
- How to give Doxycycline to Cats
- Side Effects of Doxycycline in Cats
- Contraindications to Doxycycline for Cats
- Bacterial resistance to antibiotics
Doxycycline is one of the antibiotics that your veterinarian can prescribe to treat some of the bacterial conditions that can affect your cat. Like all antibiotics, doxycycline for cats can only be given with a veterinary prescription.
In this article by PeritoAnimal, we will explain how this antibiotic works, in which cases it is prescribed and what are its contraindications and adverse side effects. In addition, we'll see why it's important not to medicate your cat yourself. If your veterinarian has prescribed this medication for your cat and you want to know more about its effects, read on to learn all about it. Doxycycline in cats: dosage, uses and contraindications.
What is Doxycycline for Cats
Doxycycline or doxycycline hyclate for cats is a broad spectrum antibiotic that can act against bacteria, be they Gram-positive or Gram-negative. It belongs to the group of second generation tetracyclines. Specifically, it is an oxytetracycline derivative. The effect of doxycycline for cats is bacteriostatic, that is, it does not kill the bacteria, but prevents them from reproducing. After oral administration, it is distributed throughout the body and deposited in active bone tissue and teeth. It is mainly eliminated through feces.
What is Doxycycline for Cats
Doxycycline for cats has many applications as it can be used against multiple diseases and problems such as the following:
- Bartonellosis
- Pneumonia
- bronchopneumonia
- Pharyngitis
- Otitis
- Tracheite
- Bronchitis
- Sinusitis
- Genito-urinary system infections
- leptospirosis
- Borreliosis (known as Lyme Disease)
- intestinal infections
- skin infections
- abscesses
- infected wounds
- Postoperative prevention
- Joint infections
- Pododermatitis
- Gingivitis
As we can see, there are numerous indications for doxycycline for cats, but its prescription must be made by the veterinarian, as the choice of this or another antibiotic depends on the pathogen involved in the different clinical conditions. For this reason, it is essential that the professional decides and that in no case you medicate the cat on your own.
Dosage of Doxycycline for Cats
Doxycycline can be found in several presentations, the most used being the oral format, both tablets and solution, and injectable doxycycline for cats. The most appropriate dose can only be given by the veterinarian, as the weight of the animal, the chosen presentation and the pathogen you want to act against must be taken into account.
However, the most common dose is around 10 mg per kg of weight once a day and it is better to administer it with food. But, for example, when used to fight chlamydiosis, the dose is distributed in two doses a day for three weeks. And in diseases such as bartonellosis, doxycycline is given for up to a month in daily doses of 5-10 mg per kg of body weight. Taking into account these variations, it is important to always follow the dosage indicated by the veterinarian.
How to give Doxycycline to Cats
The easiest way to give a cat doxycycline is to hide the pill in his food. However, if your vet prescribes pills and it's not easy to get your cat to swallow them, you can crush them and dissolve them in liquid to make them more palatable.
Side Effects of Doxycycline in Cats
The main problem with doxycycline, and tetracyclines in general, is that it can affect bone development and growth. It is a reversible situation when treatment is stopped. It also permanently colors developing teeth when given to pregnant cats during the last 2-3 weeks before birth or to puppies in the first few weeks of life. However, this effect is not as pronounced with doxycycline as with other tetracyclines.
Also, as an adverse effect, photosensitivity reactions, which are abnormal skin reactions to sun exposure, can be observed. They are more common in kittens than in adult cats.
On the other hand, it is recommended to be administered with caution in cats with problems in swallowing or vomiting, as doxycycline is associated with damage to the esophagus, so its administration with food is recommended. Side effects include vomiting, diarrhea or esophagitis.
Contraindications to Doxycycline for Cats
It is not a suitable drug for pregnant cats, as it can cause harm to unborn puppies. Doxycycline is also contraindicated in lactating cats because a considerable amount of the drug passes into breast milk, thus reaching kittens, which can suffer adverse effects such as those mentioned.
It is necessary to be careful with the interaction with other medications such as cephalosporins, penicillin, phenytoin, barbiturates or antacids and adapt the dose accordingly. cats with liver problems because doxycycline can increase liver enzymes. Of course it should not be given to cats allergic to tetracyclines.
Bacterial resistance to antibiotics
Doxycycline for cats, as an antibiotic, must be used with special care. The misuse of antibiotics, when they are administered unnecessarily, in inadequate doses or for an insufficient period of time, causes bacteria to become resistant to them. Currently, there is a serious problem of bacterial resistance to different antibiotics, which leads to the need for ever stronger antibiotics, which can even lead to the loss of antibiotics against certain bacteria. It is therefore essential that we, as pet guardians, are aware of this situation and only use antibiotics when prescribed by a veterinarian and carefully following their instructions.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.