Cats may witness infections caused by bacteria. These may show up in your pet’s gastric tract or skin. In general, softer tissues of your feline friend are more likely to come under siege. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics for killing harmful bacteria. Some cats are allergic to penicillin-related drugs; so, the choice of antibiotics is done with added caution. Cefadroxil is an antibiotic med categorized under a genre called cephalosporin antibiotics. Can this antibacterial drug be given to cats? It is important to know more on this before starting your pet’s treatment.

Cats are likely to get infected by gram-negative as well as gram-positive bacterial strands. Typical strands that trigger infections in cats belong to the streptococcus and the staphylococcus families. Hence, your vet may administer a broad-spectrum antibiotic drug for treating your cat’s infections. One such broad-spectrum antibiotic belonging to the cephalosporin genre is cefadroxil. This is widely used for the treatment of bacterial infections that show up among cats. It is used for treating infections of your cat’s urinary tract and other parts. This cephalosporin antibiotic works better than several other penicillin-based meds.

In some cats, abdominal discomforts such as vomiting, indigestion, etc. may show up due to a bacterial strand called E. coli. The good news is cefadroxil is known to treat infections that are caused by this microbe. However, this med is not very effective against other types of bacteria that cause infections in your cat’s intestinal system. You also need to remember that cefadroxil is ineffective against signs of viral infections such as cold, flu or tremors. Similarly, this drug has nil or limited capabilities to act against fungal infections. So, if you witness signs of fungal or viral infections, never administer antibacterial drugs or antibiotics; instead, seek proper advice from a qualified veterinarian.

How to safely administer cefadroxil onto cats?

This cephalosporin antibiotic for cats is available in the form of liquid syrup as well as a capsule form. The active ingredients are known to get into almost all parts of your cat’s system. The residue of this drug is eliminated through the urinary tract. Your cat’s kidneys play a significant role in discharging the drug’s residue off your pet’s system.

Recommended dosage strength

Dosage strength of cefadroxil is based on your cat’s body weight. A safe dosage level is 22 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of your cat’s weight. The duration of medication plan is often restricted to less than a week’s time. However, if the infection is severe, treatment plan may get extended to 2 / 3 more weeks. If your cat is old or if its renal system is not functioning optimally, the dosage is maintained as a single dose each day. In elderly cats, duration of the treatment plan is maintained up to 2 weeks. Younger cats or those with no renal ailments are usually administered with two doses per day. Similarly, for treating acute bacterial infections, dosages are enhanced to 2 doses (twice) within a 24-hour timeline.

Use of liquid form of cefadroxil for treating cats

Cats may avoid consuming the capsule form; hence, it is a common practice to administer the liquid (syrup) form of this drug. While using the liquid form, it is a good practice to shake the container / bottle prior to each use. It is generally administered before a meal; but, if your cat is experiencing diarrhea, indigestion or vomiting, mix it along with your cat’s food. Liquid dose is injected at the rear side of your cat’s mouth / tongue. If your cat spits some of the liquid, never administer another dose.

Side effects cefadroxil may cause in your cat

This drug is unlikely to cause severe side effects. However, a few minor adverse reactions such as gastric discomforts, vomiting, watery stools, etc. are witnessed in some one-off cases. As a rare occurrence, side effects such as convulsions or fits are observed especially among cats living with prior episodes of epileptic seizures. In some one-off instances, suppressed functioning of bone marrow may show up; as a result, the count of red cells may drop in a marked manner. It is hence highly recommended to check your cat’s blood count on a periodic basis soon after starting to administer cefadroxil.

As a remote occurrence, a few cats have developed skin conditions such as rashes, itchiness or blistering of skin. Beware of a few serious reactions such as drying of cat’s skin as well as swelling of its skin. These signs form part of a syndrome called Stevens-Johnson condition. It may lead to a fatal outcome among cats. In equally remote cases, your cat may witness extreme levels of weariness or tiredness. It becomes important to talk to your vet to ascertain if this cephalosporin antibiotic is safe for your cat.

It is extremely unsafe to use cefadroxil on cats that are pregnant. This is because of the key chemicals of this drug may get into your pet’s bloodstream and may harm your cat’s fetus. Also, if you are already administering meds such as antifungals or any other types of antibiotics / glycosides (of the amino genre), cefadroxil may interact with such drugs in an adverse manner. Owing to such risks, this med must not be procured without a qualified vet’s prescription.

Some people – due to their desire to get a quicker relief – may administer an overdose of cefadroxil to their cat; this is a harmful practice. Upon observing adverse side effects such as a slowdown of respiratory cycles, loss of coordination of limbs, shakes / tremors, severe spells of diarrhea or vomiting, you are advised to seek medical support on an emergency basis. As a safety measure, talk to your vet about the right dosage level; which depends on renal wellbeing as well as age of your cat.

In sum, cefadroxil is a broad-spectrum antibiotic grouped under a genre called cephalosporin. It is administered onto cats with bacterial infections, especially in the urinary tract and a few other parts. Doses are based on your pet’s body weight and age of the cat. It is safe to maintain each dose at 22 mg for each kg of bodyweight for 1 week to 4 weeks. But, if your cat is aged, duration is reduced to less than 10 days. For more inputs on administering cefadroxil for cats, talk to a qualified vet or a certified pet pharmacist.