Cefazolin for cats

In veterinary medicine, cefazolin is a frequently used antibiotic, particularly for treating cats. It keeps your pet healthy and free of dangerous pathogens by assisting in the fight against bacterial infections. When their cats exhibit symptoms of infection, many pet owners resort to this medication, which is well-known for being safe and effective when taken as prescribed.

If your cat has been prescribed Cefazolin by your veterinarian, you may be wondering about its mechanism of action, appropriate dosage, and possible side effects. Gaining a basic understanding of this antibiotic will make you feel more comfortable taking care of your pet while they are undergoing treatment.

Cefazolin: description and features

Cefazolin is a first-generation cephalosporin antibacterial medication that breaks down bacterial cell walls to kill the bacteria and stop them from reproducing. Its wide-ranging action efficiently eliminates numerous pathogenic microorganisms, such as salmonella, shigella, cocci, pale treponema, and numerous other strains. When gram-positive bacteria are the cause of a disease, cefazolin has the greatest therapeutic effect. Certain staphylococci, proteus, mycobacteria, rickettsia, and pseudomonas aeruginosa are not affected by the medication.

Cefazolin comes in 250, 500, and 1000 mg glass bottles that are hermetically sealed. It is sold as a white or yellowish powder. It is meant to be diluted with sterile water and then administered intravenously or intramuscularly.

Cefazolin is rapidly and effectively absorbed after injection, and the body reaches its maximum concentration of the active ingredient in around an hour. The medication permeates practically every tissue, including the skin, joints, kidneys, urinary tract, and heart. As a result, its effects are felt even in the early phases of treatment. The kidneys eliminate the active ingredient in a day.

Crucial! The active substance of Cefazolin is destroyed by the action of gastric juice, so the drug is not used for oral administration .

Indications for use

Numerous illnesses brought on by pathogenic organisms that are susceptible to the drug’s effects are treated with cefazolin. The following pathologies are among them:

The medication treats illnesses brought on by bacteria that are susceptible to its effects.

• inflammatory and purulent processes of the ENT organs and respiratory system (pneumonia, pleurisy, abscesses);
• infection and sepsis of soft and bone tissues;
• peritonitis and other diseases of the abdominal cavity;
• meningitis;
• prevention of postoperative complications after surgical interventions;
• diseases of the urinary system and those that are sexually transmitted.

Take note! Cefazolin is useless against viral infections, just like all other antibiotics, so using it to treat viral infections is not only unsafe but inappropriate as well. It is advised to only use it for bacterially based diseases in cases where laboratory testing has demonstrated the pathogens’ sensitivity to the active ingredient’s effects.

How to administer Cefazolin to a cat

Cefazolin powder needs to be dissolved in sterile water for injection, novocaine, or lidocaine prior to administration. The drug’s therapeutic effect remains unchanged, but it greatly lessens the animal’s discomfort during the procedure when it is diluted with anesthetics. You will need 5 ml of liquid (either 0.9% sodium chloride solution, sterile water for injection, or 0.5-1% novocaine solution) to dilute 1 g of powder. When treating cats, it is not advised to dilute cefazolin with lidocaine as this can lead to severe allergic reactions in the animals as well as detrimental effects on the heart and blood pressure.

1. Draw 5 ml of liquid into a syringe, slide the protective aluminum cap of the bottle with powder.
2. Puncture the rubber cap, inject the liquid into the bottle, then shake it vigorously several times so that the components mix well – you should get a homogeneous transparent solution, possibly with a small sediment.
3. Change the needle, open the bottle cap and draw the required amount of the drug into the syringe, then inject it into the pet.

Cefazolin needs to be diluted with a specific water or anesthetic prior to administration.

It is not permitted to leave the medication at room temperature, so the resultant solution must be used right away. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two days.

Cefazolin dosage and administration schedules are exclusively set by physicians; cats typically receive 15 mg of the active ingredient per kilogram of body weight; in extreme cases, up to 30 mg may be administered. The course of treatment, which typically lasts 5–10 days, depends on the animal’s condition and the clinical course of the disease. Injections are administered every 6–12 hours. The medication is given for a maximum of three to five days when used prophylactically to avoid surgical complications.

For informational purposes only! Cefazolin is diluted only in saline (sodium chloride) for intravenous administration; however, this process should only be performed by a medical professional in a hospital.

Contraindications and side effects

• hypersensitivity to the drug or antibacterial agents from a similar group;
• severe renal dysfunction;
• infancy (it is not recommended to administer the drug to kittens).

Cefazolin shouldn’t be used in cases of severe kidney disease.

Cefazolin is used cautiously in cases of urinary system disorders. It is also important to carefully weigh the health benefits of the mother against the risk to the development of the fetus during pregnancy and lactation, as clinical studies have shown that the drug can enter breast milk.

The cat may become allergic to the product.

• lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting;
• disorders of the urinary function;
• allergic reactions (itching, urticaria);
• changes in blood tests – a decrease in the concentration of leukocytes and platelets, an increase in the activity of liver enzymes, etc.d.;
• in rare cases, convulsions may be observed.

The majority of the time, the drug’s side effects are mild and disappear quickly. It is imperative to replace the medication as soon as possible if the animal’s condition deteriorates and undesired symptoms worsen.

Cefazolin should not be used with diuretics, aminoglycosides, or medications that thin the blood because these combinations can counteract each other’s effects and lead to major side effects.

Crucial! The injection site of cefazolin may develop a painful lump that goes away on its own in one to two days and doesn’t need special care.

For the treatment of various bacterial infections in cats, cefazolin is a frequently prescribed antibiotic. It works well for urinary tract infections, skin infections, and respiratory disorders, but it should always be used under a veterinarian’s supervision. In order to prevent adverse effects and guarantee your cat’s speedy recovery, proper dosage and close observation are essential.

How to give a cat an injection of Cefazolin

Cats are given cefazolin intraperitoneally (ITI), usually in the hind leg. Using a syringe designed for insulin injections with a short needle is ideal for this procedure as it lowers the possibility of damaging vital blood vessels and causes the animal the least amount of discomfort.

Prior to the injection, the cat should ideally be fixed.

Since injecting antibiotics always causes pain, it is preferable to administer the shot to the cat jointly.

How can I administer an intramuscular injection to my cat at home? Why learn how to inject yourself? advantages and drawbacks of injections into the muscles. choosing needles and syringes for cat injections. How to adjust a cat correctly in preparation for an injection. injection methodology. Potential side effects in a cat following an injection. You can read the information on our portal to find out more about this.

Prior to the procedure, the animal needs to be well-sedated and still (you can use a fixing bag for this). Next, pick the area of the thigh where the muscle layer is thickest and give it a gentle knead. Once the necessary amount of solution has been drawn into the syringe, carefully insert the needle at a 45-degree angle, release the medication, and slowly press down on the plunger.

Mending a cat carrier

Video – How to give an intramuscular injection

When administered appropriately, cefazolin can help treat a wide range of bacterial infections in cats, potentially saving their lives. To guarantee the best outcomes and prevent any complications, it’s crucial to closely adhere to the veterinarian’s dosage instructions.

Cefazolin can have side effects, just like any medication, so it’s important to monitor your cat closely after giving it. Please don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian if you notice anything strange.

Your cat’s wellbeing and security should always come first. Maintaining the health and happiness of your feline companion requires routine veterinary examinations and prompt care.

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