Is Chloramphenicol safe for my kitten? Are there safer alternatives?

Chloramphenicol is known to cause aplastic anemia in people, which means that it can reduce your red blood cell count and cause bone marrow suppression (this is reversible). This effect has not been demonstrated as much in animals though, so we do use it for certain conditions. We often limit our usage of this drug, because of the potential for toxicity towards people, so the vet is probably treating a condition where this drug is known to be exceptionally effective and the benefit outweighs the risk. While this drug is not recommended in neonates (puppies that are just born), it is OK to use with a five month old, so I wouldn't worry too much unless you start to notice some additional problems with Ziggy. We always recommend administrating the drug to your pet with caution, because of the potential toxic effects, but the reality is that you are not likely to get a significant enough dose to cause any toxic effects from just touching the pill or being in contact with secretions. However, this may vary depending on the person, so I recommend also asking your physician about this. I hope that helps and Ziggy feels better soon.

Hi, amoxicillin can be used in kittens but how do you give it ? I have witnessed some owners doing more harm then good by administering oral medications to kittens. I would recommend to see your vet so they can be started with a more effective, safe and fast acting injection and then you can continue at home with some oral drops for example. The dosage in kittens would be 10 mg per pound for 5-7 days. Hope this helps,

They are safe to use together however clavamox has a high rate of causing nausea/loss of appetite too. Of course consult with your veterinarian as I do not know what condition your little baby has and one of or both of those may be uneccesary. With all of these antibiotics I also definitely recommend a probiotic like benebac gel. Best of luck to you and the kitten!

No, I do not recommend giving your kitten human amoxicillin. The reason for this is two-fold. If you have liquid amoxicillin, it needs to be used within 10 days of being opened. Any leftover should be discarded or returned to your pharmacy for disposal. The second reason is a 3 lb kitten would use an extremely small dose compared to a human. I recommend visiting your veterinarian to get a safer treatment option. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I personally would use clavamox long term if it’s effective. Yes, there are less side effects. Then you can keep the clindamycin to use at some point in the future, if needed. Clavamox now comes in flavored chewable pills which seem to be very palatable. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Callie.

The majority of pet medicines are also used in humans. I am sure your vet understands which ones are safe to use in Jack. I don't use these medicines in the US, so I can't comment on their individual safety. You should call your vet with these additional questions.

It is never recommended to medicate a pet without the advice of your veterinarian. A physical exam is strongly recommended to confirm infection so the appropriate antibiotic can be used. Inappropriate antibiotic use can lead to resistant bacteria and may complicate any underlying conditions. If you choose to use this medication, chloramphenicol can cause serious blood abnormalities, thus should be handled with caution.