Cat Problem With Antibiotics

By Harvey Glick

Cat problems with antibiotics are usually due to the possibilities of the specific animal's sensitivity to the drug and the allergic reactions that can result.

Antibiotics fall into two general categories. Those that are bacteriostatic (or fungistatic), inhibit the growth of microorganisms, but don't kill them outright. Bacteriocidal (or fungicidal) drugs destroy the microorganisms.

The classification of bacteria is based upon their ability to cause disease. Pathogenic bacteria are capable of producing a particular illness or infection. Nonpathogenic bacteria live on or within the host, but don't cause illness under normal circumstances.

There are several reasons why cat problems with antibiotics exist and result in their not being effective.

These reasons are:

The misdiagnosis of an infection

There are times when signs of inflammation (heat,redness and swelling) can exist without infection. Sunburn is a good example. Infection can be presumed to exist when someone sees inflammation and a discharge of pus. Usually there will be an offensive odor. Other signs are fever and elevated white count.

An inappropriate selection of an antibiotic

An antibiotic must be effective against the microorganism. Sometimes a choice can be mistakenly made on the basis of the character of the illness. Antibiotics are graded according to whether the microorganism is sensitive, indifferent or insensitive. Unfortunately laboratory findings do not always coincide with results in the host. In any event, antibiotic culture and sensitivity testing is the surest way of selecting the best agent.

Inadequate care of the wound

It is important to drain abcesses, clean dirty wounds and remove foreign bodies before applying antibiotics.

The route of administration

Some antibiotics have to be given on an empty stomach, and others with a meal. Some antibiotics are not absorbed when taken with antacids or milk. In severe infections antibiotics are given intravenously, or by intramuscular injection, to avoid this problem. In the treatment of urinary tract infections, other substances may have to be given by mouth to change the acidity of the urine and assure that the antibiotics won't be inactivated.

The dose and frequency of administration

The total dose is computed by weighing the cat, then dividing the dose into equal parts and giving each at spaced-out intervals. When the total dose is too low or not given often enough, the result is less favorable.

Other factors that need to be taken into account when computing the daily dose are the severity of the infection, the age of the cat, his overall health and stamina, whether he is taking another antibiotic, and whether he is taking other drugs which could depress his ability to fight infection.

All drugs should be viewed as poisons and antibiotics are no different. The side effects could be more dangerous than the disease. Antibiotics should never be given without justifiable indications. Common complications of antibiotics are allergy, toxicity, the possibility of a secondary infection occurring and the emergence of resistant strains to the antibiotic.

Cat Problems with the use of antibiotics should be carefully monitored by the veterinarian and owner, in order to increase it's effectiveness.

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