stray cat wounded - prescription free antibiotics.

mibbycat

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I've been feeding a stray cat for about 2 months. Two nights ago, I heard an animal screaming and loud meowing in the woods along my back yard. The next morning I saw the cat had a open wound about the size of a quarter on his lower back. The would looks bloody and the hair is missing around it. The stray cat will not yet let me touch him....I can get about 2 feet of him before he runs. I don't think I can catch him to bring him to the vet...plus I'm afraid he could have contracted rabies from the bit wound. (I've seen other stray cats and huge racoons in those woods). But I'm concerned that without an antibiotic, the wound will get infected and kill the cat. The pharmicist at the pet meds store advised that I put non-perscription Fish Mox (Amoxicillin) in the cats food. (50mg, twice a day). Has anyone ever given this to cats?
I've saw under the customer review on amazon that a few people have used Fish Mox (amoxicillin), Fish Cillin (ampicillin), or Fish Flex (cephaloxin) antibiotics on their cats and dogs.

Also, how quickly can an infection spread? I won't receive the antibiotics for another 3 days ? I called around and none of the local pet stores carry Fish Mox. The stores do carry erythromyacin and tetracyclene for fish, but not amoxicillin.
 
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opilot

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Fish Mox is amoxicillin just like what humans and cats get.
It will work - and is the best and only way to get an anti
bio non prescription for your cat or dog. Stray/feral caretakers
know about this shortcut since we often work on shoestrings
and have to med cats.

Its unlikely the cat acquired rabies, or was attacked by
coon - it could have been coyote or other animal as well.

Don't worry about contracting it. Since cat won't let you
get close, sprinkle the fish mox capsule on his/her dry
food or wet food. Hopefully if he/she is hungry enough they
will eat.

Make a shelter for this poor cat - a tupperwear or rubbermaid container, with
round hole cut in the side - home depot has red tupper containers for 3.99 -
get some straw (from craft stores - hurry they are almost out of it) - or in a pinch you can use fiber fill for pillows (tho this very poor second choice).

put newspapers about inch thinck on the bottom, cut the hole in the side (large coffee can lid sized) stuff with the stuffing, and put the cover on.
arrange a tarp over it if you can... cat will like to go under the tarp to access the entrance. I used a card table and put the tarp over the table and the shelter under the tarp/table.

I do hope this helps. More info on how to dose with fish meds can be found:

http://www.terrierman.com/healthcareindex.htm TerrierMan - Health Care for less covers use of fish antibios for dogs - cats dosage are different but the principle of how to get the drugs etc is the same. Read it, good info here.

Call a rescue group near you to help you trap and fix this kitty too... there should be some. Don't know where you are in the country, but some places have excellent resources. They could help you with just ONE cat. And they'd medicate it and give rabies too...
 
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mibbycat

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Thank you so much for your reply. It was so helpful ! I finally found a local store that carried Fish Mox and started the cat's treatment. I'll work on the shelter and finding a cat rescue to help trap the cat. I live in central florida. Thanks again !
 

opilot

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Mibbycat - glad that info helped. It sure helped ME. LOL. I have 14 ferals, 5 at home personal cats right now. I know exactly how much it costs to feed AND to care for cats!

My suggestion for good low cost food? Costco brand dry cat food. 25 lbs bags of what is basically off label "Science Hill Diet" food.
Same as their coffee which is basically Starbucks brand, but much cheaper due to being the store brand packed Kirkand variety!!

Also, you can get Friskies there 48 cans for 15/16 dollars, a bit cheaper than what the petsmart charges. For wet food though, you can sometimes get the large stores to give you stuff that has it is "sell by date" - still good, but can't be sold. They will often let you have it for free if you let them know about your work... the Petsmart and Petcos are stores to ask about this.

Walmart and Costco are not so nice


The drugs issue is huge - I have several "left over" prescriptions, and always get more drugs than I need so I can have some on hand for these types of issues. My vet IMHO is one of the MOST expensive in the area - I now use
the rescue vet, and/or shop for low cost clinics put on by humane society and animal shelters...

As to the shelter - you won't need to worry so much about cold in Fla. But the cat will like being closer to your home, and if you have it set up near the house, it MAY discourage those other animals from coming in.

When feeding, always take up the food after he is done, so that the other animals dont' come in. If you want to and can - the shelter under card table is good, but also put one ONTOP of table - cat can jump up, but other animals may be discouraged from going "up high" like skunks and possum.

I built several wooden shelters for mine with BF help. They are v. nice - converted "bee boxes" LOL. You can buy the bee boxes, add a bottom and legs to the bee box, and there you are with a solid wooden covered lid nice cat sized shelter. You can put it up on legs quite high, and add a platform for them to "jump up" on. Then feed up there and they will start using the shelter...

If you don't want the trouble but want to help this cat, try the TNR route, and Trap, neuter give shots etc and return to the out doors.... or have resuce group help place.

 
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mibbycat

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I've been treating the cat with Fish Mox the last five days. The open wound looks A LOT better. He is still licks his back a little, but not nearly as much. I hope that's a good sign. I found a TNR and we are hopefully going to trap him next week.

Just out of curiosity, have you ever used Fish Flex to help heal ferral cat wounds ? I've read that its a better antibiotic for skin wounds. Several cat rescues/ rescuers and my vet ensured that Fish Mox (amoxicillin) won't hurt the cat (at the correct dosage), but no one has mentioned Fish Flex (cephaloxin).

Thanks again for all your help.
 

opilot

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Yes, fish flex works better for wounds, but sometimes not easy to get. Also due to antibiotics being dangerous, you may want to use the pencillin first before stepping up to harder drugs...


Great news on TNR and on his improvement! He will be MUCH happier cat, and so good of you to take him on!!

 

catsknowme

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I am so happy that you were able to get good info! I didn't even know about Fishmox, etc. what a great idea
I am so glad that Mibbycat was able to save that poor feral from a terrible fate
sending {{{prayers and vibes}}} that the cat recovers soon & gets his TNR
 

kathleen2

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The exact same thing happened to one of my ferals, Does any one know where i can buy Fish Mox????  Also, if anyone can tell me of a low cost vet in Phoenix, I would appreciate it.  Thanks.
 

StefanZ

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, Does any one know where i can buy Fish Mox????  Also, if anyone can tell me of a low cost vet in Phoenix, I would appreciate it.  Thanks.
If you get hold on a vet, you can prob get this Amyxocillin (?) via the vet.  Which be best.

But if you really wants to try on your own, do as they suggest in the tread.  Phone and ask animal shops who sells lotsa of fish / aquaries for this Fish Mox..

Phone owners of big aquaries... Phone rescue groups in your vicinity.

It seems you can buy it online, but it takes some time.

But I presume you are in a hurry, you you must try to get it locally.

There is a "sticky" tread about low cost clinics in this forums head.  Look up there if you find a cheap vet around Phoenix.

ps.  In the Health Forum they do have another "sticky" tread about low cost clinics..  Try there.

Good luck!    *vibes*
 
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feralvr

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The exact same thing happened to one of my ferals, Does any one know where i can buy Fish Mox????  Also, if anyone can tell me of a low cost vet in Phoenix, I would appreciate it.  Thanks.
Welcome to TCS !!!!!!! Just so you know - this thread is many years old :D. It is alright - but please feel free to start your own thread here on site in anyone of our forums that you feel you need assistance with. Glad you found us and hope the following link helps :bigwink:

Here is a list of low-cost clinics and hopefully one is in the Phoenix area :cross: http://www.thecatsite.com/t/203204/list-of-low-cost-free-spay-neuter-clinics-in-the-us
 
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kathleen2

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Thank you for your help and advice.  I was able to get an appt with a vet and will take her to the Animal Welfare Services League clinic tomorrow.  In the meantime, we are keeping her indoors and feeding her liver, baby food and milk.  She seems to be starting to heal and resting well, but I want to make sure the wound isn't infected.  I'll post the results of her exam.  I cannot imagine what happened to her.
 

feralvr

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Thank you for your help and advice.  I was able to get an appt with a vet and will take her to the Animal Welfare Services League clinic tomorrow.  In the meantime, we are keeping her indoors and feeding her liver, baby food and milk.  She seems to be starting to heal and resting well, but I want to make sure the wound isn't infected.  I'll post the results of her exam.  I cannot imagine what happened to her.
:vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes::vibes: for you kitty. We are here for support if you need us :hugs: Hope things are going better :cross: :vibes::vibes::vibes:
 

renee lyons

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I know this is a VERY old post, but many people like me are searching for answers to help their cats and or kittens. Fish Mox, Fish Azithromax and Fish Flex can all be found... of all places... on ebay... Make sure to get the premium or pharmacy grade of the product, and check around the net for dosage instructions. I hope this helps some people that may come across this thread like I did. :)
 

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what is the dosage for the ampicillin?  have a cat that has infected wound and want to make sure to give proper amount

thank you
 

di and bob

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I call my vet and say I've got a feral cat that is wounded and can't be brought in and they give me the cheaper antibiotic over the counter, around 10.00. Most vets will do this if you ask. I noticed they have different ones because the last one they gave me for my indoor cat was 30.00.  
 
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