It's no fun when your cat’s diagnosed with an infection. However, receiving an official diagnosis is the first step to helping them feel better. If your veterinarian prescribes Clavamox, an antibiotic used to treat several ailments, they’ll hopefully feel better shortly.
Not every cat gets the same Clavamox type or dosage amount. This is how your veterinarian decides which version to give your pet and how to serve it safely.
Clavamox is a brand name for the combination antibiotic amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium, which is used to treat several infections in cats and dogs, Dr. Emily Singler, VMD, Fetch’s on-staff veterinarian, explains.
“This type of amoxicillin medication has an additional ingredient to help keep bacteria from breaking the amoxicillin down before it can do its job,” Dr. Singler adds.
You shouldn’t give your cat Clavamox without your vet’s recommendation. Sometimes antibiotics are unnecessary for certain infections or diseases. Using the incorrect dose of antibiotics when they don’t treat the condition can contribute to adverse reactions, antibiotic shortages and resistance, Dr. Singler warns.
“Clavamox is only available by prescription,” Dr. Singler says. The medicine can be dispensed directly by a vet or from a pharmacy with a prescription.
Let your vet know if your cat has had an allergic reaction to similar antibiotics, as it may help them to determine if Clavamox is safe for your feline. Pets can also experience anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy while taking the medication.
Veterinarians might prescribe a different medication if your cat already has an upset stomach or isn’t eating well, as Clavamox can be tough on stomachs, Dr. Singler notes.
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Clavamox dosages, which come as a liquid or tablet (to be chewed or swallowed), depend on a cat’s weight — your veterinarian can recommend the right serving size for your pet, Dr. Singler shares.
After the liquid version is made, it must be refrigerated — it typically expires after 10 days. The antibiotic is usually given every 12 hours or twice daily, Dr. Singler adds.
Pet parents should remember to give the appropriate dose prescribed to the cat, and it should be taken until they’re finished unless told otherwise by the vet.
The Dig, Fetch Pet Insurance's expert-backed editorial, answers all of the questions you forget to ask your vet or are too embarrassed to ask at the dog park. We help make sure you and your best friend have more good days, but we’re there on bad days, too.
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