Ceftriaxone: use for cats

Antibiotics may be necessary at times to maintain a cat’s health, and Ceftriaxone is one medication that is frequently recommended. This drug is used to treat a number of bacterial infections, but it’s crucial for any pet owner to know how it works and when to use it.

Due to Ceftriaxone’s broad-spectrum efficacy, veterinarians may use it when a cat becomes sick, particularly if the infection is severe. To guarantee the proper dosage and prevent any negative effects, it should only be given under professional supervision, just like any strong medication.

This article will examine the advantages of Ceftriaxone for cats, as well as the things pet owners need to know when their pet is receiving this antibiotic as part of a treatment plan.

Aspect Details
What is Ceftriaxone? An antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in cats.
When is it used? Typically prescribed for infections like pneumonia, skin infections, or urinary tract infections.
How is it given? Administered by injection, usually by a vet or under veterinary guidance.
Possible side effects Diarrhea, vomiting, or allergic reactions in some cases.
Important note Always consult your vet before use and follow the prescribed dosage carefully.

Description of the drug Ceftriaxone

Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic of the cephalosporin family and a third-generation bacteriostatic medication. This medication works well for treating bacterially-based infectious diseases in both humans and animals.

Composition and release form

Ceftriaxone is only available as a finely crystalline powder (white or slightly yellowish) for injection solution preparation; it is not available as tablets. This is the drug’s active ingredient, sodium salt. The powder is sold in glass 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 g bottles that are placed in boxes containing one, five, or ten pieces each. It is best to buy small-capacity packages for cats.

Select a cat-friendly little Ceftriaxone container.

Indications for use

Ceftriaxone is an antibiotic used to treat a variety of bacterial infections.

  • digestive tract and biliary tract;
  • respiratory organs and ENT organs;
  • kidneys and genitourinary system;
  • nervous tissue (meningitis);
  • bone tissue (osteomyelitis).

Ceftriaxone can treat a variety of bacterial illnesses in cats.

The medication is additionally used in the postoperative phase and for prophylactic purposes, i.e., to avoid the spread of infectious contamination from animal bites.

How the drug works

Ceftriaxone’s mode of action stems from its capacity to inhibit bacterial growth and reproduction. Disodium salt (C18H18N8O7S3), the drug’s active ingredient, causes disruptions in the synthesis and permeability of bacterial cell membranes, leading to the death of foreign agents and the bactericidal effect.

Ceftriaxone is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and reaches the infection foci after being administered. After injection, it becomes fully concentrated in two or three hours and is 100% bioavailable. A sick animal can benefit noticeably from Ceftriaxone injections even after the first one.

Ceftriaxone is a salt of disodium.

Ceftriaxone acts for a long time inside the body before gradually leaving it, mostly in the form of excrement but also in bile and milk. Because of this, veterinarians advise against mating an animal before three months of Ceftriaxone treatment. At this point, the drug will have totally left the body and won’t be able to harm the offspring’s genetic makeup.

Certain strains of pathogenic microorganisms, such as the following, are resistant to ceftriaxone’s effects:

  • Staphylococcus aureus;
  • Bacteroides fragilis;
  • enterococci.

It should be noted that strains of different bacteria can occasionally become resistant to cephalosporin antibiotics through mutation; this family of antibiotics includes Ceftriaxone. But such cases are extremely rare today, and they are practically never encountered in the treatment of feline diseases.

Features of use in cats

It’s critical to correctly dilute the ceftriaxone grain and prepare an injection solution for the treatment to be both safe and effective. And just when things get serious, there’s a little misunderstanding and contradiction. This, in my opinion, is because Ceftriaxone is a medication that was created with the intention of treating people, and usage guidelines were also created.

The veterinary form of ceftriaxone is identical to the

According to the instructions, the powder should be diluted with lidocaine in order to thanks to this the soreness of the introduction of ceftriaxone. But the fact is that lidocaine is unsafe for cats, and sometimes even used to euthanize them. Veterinarians report many cases of the death of pets after the introduction of lidocaine – such sad stories also happened to my friends. Novocaine as an alternative to Lidocaine is also not a good option, since it reduces the effectiveness of the therapeutic effect of Ceftriaxone. Many veterinarians prefer not to take risks and do without anesthesia at all – prepare a solution of Ceftriaxone in water for injection or even in saline. According to my observations, sometimes this can really be a way out – if the animal is tolerant of pain.

However, the majority of cats still have heightened sensitivity, so excruciating pain during an injection adds to their stress levels and hinders their ability to heal. How can one help a pet without hurting it by acting morally? This contentious issue calls for a compromise response rather than a clear-cut response:

  1. Do not give the first injection yourself, but under the supervision of a veterinarian who will be able to provide urgent qualified assistance in the event of the manifestation and development of unwanted symptoms.
  2. Ask the doctor to conduct a skin test before the injection (rubbing a ready-made solution of Ceftriaxone into a small scratch on the inside of the cat"s thigh), which will quickly demonstrate the animal"s reaction not only to Lidocaine, but also on the main drug.
  3. Carefully adhere to the dosages of Ceftriaxone recommended specifically for your pet, do not exceed them, immediately seek medical help at the first signs of allergy or other side effects.

Selection of doses and treatment regimen

Calculating and getting ready to administer the medication can seem extremely difficult at first, especially since it is unacceptable to make a mistake in the solution’s proportions. After selecting a solvent, you must shake the mixture thoroughly and dilute the powder from a one-gram bottle with 4 ml of liquid (2 ml of anesthetic and injection water). By doing this, the ideal Ceftriaxone concentration of 250 mg per milliliter of solution will be achieved.

A syringe is used to dilute ceftriaxone in a bottle.

Typically, a single dosage is determined more easily: cats weighing under two kilograms receive 0.5 ml of the prepared solution, while cats weighing more than two kilograms receive 1 ml of the medication.

Typically, a Ceftriaxone treatment regimen lasts one to two weeks. The same injection is administered at the same time every day; occasionally, the doctor might suggest splitting the daily dosage into two injections. Avoid giving your pet self-medication as it may be lethal. The only person qualified to prescribe medication, choose the dosage schedule, and set injection schedules based on precise diagnosis is a veterinarian.

Video: how to properly make a solution from powder for injections

Can you give a cat an injection yourself

Ceftriaxone is administered by intramuscular or intravenous injection. Subcutaneous injections are occasionally advised by veterinarians, but this is the exception rather than the rule. The medication should be injected very slowly, and it is best to leave this difficult process to the professionals. However, administering intramuscular injections to a cat is a skill that any owner can master and one that can save your pet’s life as well as their health.

Discover how to inject your cat on your own.

Intramuscular injections help to lessen the effects of strong antibiotics like ceftriaxone by allowing the drug to enter infected areas more smoothly and gradually and to spread more slowly throughout the body. As a result, the ill animal experiences less stress, and there is a decreased chance of a severe allergic reaction—which is more likely when the medication is administered intravenously.

Intramuscular injection of ceftriaxone is administered, ideally in the hind leg.

The first injection should ideally be administered in a clinic. If everything goes according to plan, you can administer the course’s subsequent injections to the animal at home, where they will feel lot calmer. Everything will work out if you adhere to our instructions’ straightforward suggestions.

  1. Put the cat on its stomach and massage the thigh muscle – it should be relaxed.
  2. Draw the freshly prepared solution into a syringe and insert the needle into the muscle by about a centimeter.
  3. Slowly administer the medicine, holding the animal securely and calming it down.
  4. Massage the injection site again well – there should be no compaction there.

Video: how to give an intramuscular injection to an animal

Features of use in pregnant cats and kittens

It is well known that the active ingredients in cephalosporin medications can pass through the placental barrier and enter developing embryos. However, thorough research on the potential effects of this on fetal development has not yet been carried out. Consequently, in order to reduce the risk of intrauterine pathologies and the potential harm to the health of nursing kittens, physicians do not advise giving Ceftriaxone to pregnant (particularly during the first half of pregnancy) or nursing cats.

The use of this medication in pregnant cats has been linked to cases of miscarriages and sickly cub births. This demonstrates the antibiotic’s teratogenic effect, or its capacity to cause congenital defects while the organism is still embryonic. While the concentration of "used" Ceftriaxone released through the mammary glands is very low, it is still advisable to switch the kittens to artificial feeding while the mother cat is receiving treatment.

Ceftriaxone poses a risk to nursing kittens.

The veterinarian may prescribe Ceftriaxone only for vital signs in the animal or may substitute a safer medication during crucial stages of pregnancy and lactation.

Cats younger than three months old should not be given the medication as the toxic effects on their developing bodies will outweigh any therapeutic benefits from ceftriaxone.

Interaction with other drugs

It is important to exercise caution when taking Ceftriaxone with certain medications as it may not work well with them.

  • amsacrine;
  • vancomycin;
  • fluconazole;
  • aminoglycosides;
  • chloramphenicol;
  • solutions containing antibiotics;
  • solutions containing calcium.

Possible side effects and contraindications

Ceftriaxone should be used cautiously, as with any strong antibiotic, considering the potential risks and unique contraindications in each case. Using Ceftriaxone in cases of severe liver, kidney, or gall bladder pathologies can be risky because the medication tends to build up in the liver and be eliminated primarily through urine and bile.

Additionally, using the medication is contraindicated for the following conditions:

  • pregnancy and breastfeeding;
  • childhood;
  • general weakness or severe intoxication;
  • hypersensitivity to the components of the solution.

The doctor’s decision to prescribe ceftriaxone

When Ceftriaxone is used inappropriately, it can cause allergies and anaphylactic shock, among other dangerous side effects. If any of the following adverse effects manifest, you should contact a doctor right away:

  • fever;
  • chills and convulsions;
  • digestive disorders;
  • itching and skin rash.

Precautions

When purchasing a medication, you should verify that the bottles are tightly sealed and that the product’s manufacture date is printed on the packaging. It is crucial to adhere to the guidelines for storing Ceftriaxone at home. The antibiotic should be stored in sealed bottles in a location that is out of the reach of children and animals, has bright lighting, low humidity, and a temperature range of ̑5 to đ25 degrees Celsius.

Ceftriaxone powder has varying shelf lives, according to different manufacturers: two or three years. After dilution, the prepared solution should be used right away; however, in certain circumstances, it may be kept in the refrigerator for up to one day.

Ceftriaxone needs to be completely cleaned off the skin if it gets on it.

Ceftriaxone powder or any leftover solution should be thrown away with the medication’s packaging. Additionally, follow these mandatory hygiene guidelines when handling the drug:

  • wash your hands with running water before and after using the product;
  • do not eat or drink, do not smoke;
  • do not allow the medication to come into contact with mucous membranes and skin.

Analogues of the drug according to indications for use

Ceftriaxone is a reasonably priced medication that is both effective and economical. A one-gram standard bottle of powder costs approximately thirty rubles. However, there may be times when it needs to be switched out for a medication that has a comparable mechanism of action but a different active ingredient or a different dosage form, like tablets.

Table: drugs similar to Ceftriaxone

  • hypersensitivity to cephalosporins and penicillins;
  • enterocolitis;
  • internal bleeding;
  • pregnancy and lactation;
  • childhood;
  • severe kidney and liver diseases
  • hypersensitivity to cephalosporins, penicillins and casein;
  • carnitine deficiency;
  • pregnancy and lactation;
  • childhood;
  • severe kidney and liver disease
  • hypersensitivity to cephalosporins and penicillins;
  • pregnancy and lactation;
  • severe kidney and liver disease
  • hypersensitivity to cephalosporins and penicillins;
  • enterocolitis;
  • pregnancy and lactation;
  • childhood;
  • severe kidney and liver disease
  • hypersensitivity to cephalosporins and penicillins;
  • enterocolitis and colitis;
  • pregnancy and lactation;
  • childhood and old age;
  • severe kidney and liver disease
  • hypersensitivity to cephalosporins and penicillins;
  • enterocolitis and colitis;
  • pregnancy and lactation;
  • childhood and old age;
  • severe kidney and liver disease

A novel generation of injectable universal antibiotic is lorazidime. Ceraxon is administered orally (as tablets and a solution) and by injection. Kittens and elderly animals should not be given Suprax capsules without careful consideration. India produces the affordable antibiotic cefotaxime. Cedex is an oral medication. If a patient has a casein protein hypersensitivity, they shouldn’t use Spectracef. Ceftriaxone is the active component of Rocephin.

Owner reviews

As with all antibiotics, ceftriaxone should never be used without a prescription from a physician. This is because the use of antibiotics may result in the emergence of severe side effects, such as anaphylactic shock. Alisa Visit http://ligapethelp.org/forum to view topic.php?f=57&t=4399.

When treating chronic cystitis, ceftriaxone is not the best option, especially since treatment must be continued for a considerable amount of time until the tests are "clean." Ele4011 https://www.zoovet.ru/?tid=7&tem=975182 is the forum.

Since ceftriaxone causes severe pain, 3 milliliters of novocaine are diluted for every gram of powder. You must pat and massage the muscle after the injection. and switch paws again. to avoid constantly injecting into one. Well, and when administering, hold on tighter. Two persons should administer the injection: one holds while the other injects. Once Ukola can walk with three legs, limp, and whine. SV-Dmitry The discussion board at zoovet.ru/?tid=7&tem=725134

Intravenous administration of ceftriaxone diluted with lidocaine is not recommended. 30–50 mg/kg is the dosage range. It is simpler to calculate the dosage for the animal after diluting 4 ml of the solvent (2 ml of water + 2 ml of lidocaine). The divorced bottle can be kept in the refrigerator door for a maximum of one day. At http://ligapethelp.org/forum, Lyalya Viewtopic.php?f=57&t=4399

And my doctor prohibited diluting it with lidocaine because cats shouldn’t use it. I understand: painful injections — but you need to dilute it with saline. pers16 https://www.zoovet.ru/?tid=7&tem=975182 is the forum.

Since a cat already has to endure excruciating pain during an injection, I still advise creating a fresh solution each time. Is it really worth torturing a cat like this when the medication’s efficacy has already considerably declined over time? Also, this medication is incredibly cheap. //irecommend.ru/content Myaomur Tseftriakson, Koshke, Kak Razvodit, Kak Kolot, Chtoby, Bylo, Ne Bolno

When treating specific infections in cats, ceftriaxone can be a useful medication. It’s a potent antibiotic, so make sure it’s the best choice for your pet’s needs by using it only under veterinary supervision.

To prevent side effects or complications, it’s crucial to adhere to your veterinarian’s dosage recommendations and instructions, just like with any medication. Get in touch with your veterinarian right away if your cat exhibits any strange behavior while receiving treatment.

In the end, Ceftriaxone can aid in your cat’s recovery from infections and return to a healthy lifestyle with the right attention and care.

An antibiotic called ceftriaxone is frequently given to cats to treat severe bacterial infections of the skin, respiratory system, or urinary tract. Although it works well against a variety of bacteria, it should only be administered under a veterinarian’s supervision to guarantee correct dosage and prevent any negative effects.

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Anna Vetrova

Experience working with pets for over 10 years. Studying the behavior of cats and dogs is my main passion. Advocate of the positive reinforcement method in training and education. I help owners better understand their pets and find a common language with them.

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