The use of amoxicillin for animals is one of the oldest keys which are used to overcome many diseases in animals.
It's a common, broad-spectrum antibiotic that widely affects both G+ve and G-ve bacteria.
Veterinary amoxicillin is widely used for the treatment of different diseases in several animal species, however, it's contraindicated to be used in other animals.
Through this article, Dr.provet has decided to discuss the use of amoxicillin for animals in detail.
This article includes:
- What's Amoxicillin?
- Uses of Amoxicillin for animals.
- Administration of amoxicillin for animals.
- Dosage of amoxicillin for different animal species.
- The withdrawal time of amoxicillin in food-producing animals.
- Combination of amoxicillin trihydrate and Clavulanate Potassium.
- Contraindications of amoxicillin for animals.
- Precautions of using amoxicillin for animals.
- What can you do if you miss the amoxicillin dose for your pet?
- The potential side effects of amoxicillin for animals.
- The drug interactions of amoxicillin.
- Storage conditions of amoxicillin.
What's Amoxicillin?
It's a broad-spectrum, semisynthetic aminopenicillin antibiotic with bactericidal activity but in its anhydrous form, so it is called Amoxicillin Anhydrous.
Its bactericidal action depends mainly on that it can bind and inactivate the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) which exist on the cell wall inner membrane of the bacterial cell.
These PBPs are responsible for the strength and rigidity of the bacterial cell, so Inactivation of the PBPs weakens the bacterial cell wall and so does bacterial cell lysis.
Vets can use amoxicillin to treat different animal diseases, including:
Skin infections, especially in cats and dogs.
Respiratory infections, including shipping fever and Pneumonia, especially in ruminants.
Urinary tract infections, especially in cats.
Bacterial enteritis due to E. coli in pre-ruminating calves.
Several systemic infections in horses.
How is amoxicillin administered?
Amoxicillin can be given through oral administration, intravenous injection, or intramuscular injection.
The oral amoxicillin is given in the form of a capsule, tablets, or liquid suspension.
It's recommended to be given food to avoid vomiting that may be induced when amoxicillin is given with an empty stomach.
Dosage of amoxicillin for different animal species
When amoxicillin trihydrate is administered in the drinking water, the vet should prepare the drug solution with fresh water immediately before use. And discard any unused medicated solution after 12 hours.
In poultry, all water supplies given to the diseased birds should be medicated with amoxicillin during the treatment period to ensure a full consumption of the medicated water.
The recommended dose of amoxicillin trihydrate includes:
In Chickens:
15 mg/kg bodyweight for 3-5 days orally.
In Ducks:
20 mg /kg bodyweight for 3 consecutive days orally.
In Turkeys:
15-20 mg /kg body weight orally for 3 days or 5 days in severe cases.
In horse:
Administration of 15 mg of sodium amoxicillin /kg body weight four times daily.
In dogs and cats:
6.25 mg amoxicillin/lb of body weight orally twice daily for 5-7 days or more.
In sheep: 7 mg/kg body weight once a day by I/M injection.
In cattle: 10 mg/kg body weight intramuscularly.
The withdrawal time of amoxicillin in food-producing animals
The withdrawal time of amoxicillin is necessary to ensure that the food with the animal origin is completely free from any residues.
In laying poultry: the withdrawal time is 7 days for the complete disappearance of amoxicillin from eggs.
In dairy cattle: the withdrawal time of amoxicillin in milk is 60 hours.
In meat-producing animals: the withdrawal time of amoxicillin in meat is 15 days.
Combination of amoxicillin trihydrate and Clavulanate Potassium
Using Amoxicillin Trihydrate and Clavulanate Potassium in one tablet supports the effect of amoxicillin, giving excellent results.
Tablets of Amoxicillin Trihydrate and Clavulanate Potassium are indicated for:
Dogs: Skin and soft tissue infections such as cellulitis, abscesses, wounds, superficial and deep pyoderma due to susceptible strains of Staphylococcus aureus spp., Streptococcus spp., and E. coli.
Also, it shows effective results for canine periodontal disease
Cats: cystitis (urinary tract infections) due to susceptible strains of E. coli.
Also, it's so effective for skin and soft tissue infections such as abscesses, wounds, and dermatitis due to Staphylococcus spp., Pasteurella spp., Streptococcus spp., and E. coli.
Contraindications of amoxicillin for animals.
The main contraindication of amoxicillin is its administration for rabbits as it can cause fatal Enterotoxemia, although it's almost safe for many several animal species.
It's contraindicated in animals that showed an allergic reaction to any of the penicillins or cephalosporins before.
If an allergic reaction is observed, provide steroids and/or epinephrine immediately.
Precautions of using amoxicillin for animals
Some precautions must be considered with using or amoxicillin for animals, including:
The safety of amoxicillin in pregnant animals is not determined.
Amoxicillin should be stored at controlled room temperature (20-25 °C).
Do not open the strip until ready to use.
What can you do if you miss the amoxicillin dose for your pet?
If you miss an amoxicillin dose, you should give your pet when you remember.
You can neglect the missed dose only when the time of the next dose becomes close.
It's contraindicated to give an extra dose of amoxicillin or 2 doses at once.
The potential side effects of Amoxicillin for animals
The side effects of amoxicillin are mainly related to digestive system affections, including:
Stomach cramps.
Black, tarry stools.
Bloating.
Lack of appetite.
Vomiting.
Diarrhea.
Other side effects of amoxicillin, including:
Blistering or loosening of the skin.
Bloody urine.
Chest pain.
Bloody nose.
.
The serious side effects, including allergic reactions, are observed as:
Skin rash.
Fever.
Facial swelling.
Difficult breathing.
Uncoordinated walk.
Prolonged lack of appetite, especially in cats.
In pets with liver or kidney disease, the effect of amoxicillin can be longer.
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The drug interactions of amoxicillin
Some medications must be used with caution when administered with amoxicillin, including:
Bacteriostatic antimicrobials.
Methotrexate.
probenecid.
Amoxicillin may also cause false-positive results for urine glucose tests.
Storage conditions of amoxicillin
Amoxicillin tablets, capsules, and powders should be stored at room temperature between (15 °C and 30 °C) in a tight container and protected from moisture and light.
The amoxicillin suspension is well stored in the refrigerator.
Discard unused portions of the liquid after 14 days.