Diabetic Cat & Amoxi Drops

Holly Nash, DVM, reports that an estimated one in 400 elderly cats is diabetic. Elizabeth Hodgkins, DVM, states in most cases the disease is the result of obesity and improper diet. Regular blood glucose monitoring, medication and a special diet all treat feline diabetes. Should the diabetic cat develop an infection, a veterinarian must take the cat's diabetes into consideration before prescribing treatment.

  1. Identification

    • Dr. Nash explains that pancreatic beta cells produce insulin, the hormone that aids cell glucose absorption. Should the pancreas fail to adequately release insulin, glucose remains in the blood, raising its level and resulting in a diabetic cat.

    Effects

    • Diabetic cats often suffer from uncomfortable urinary tract infections.

      One of the common complications the diabetic cat suffers from is recurring urinary tract infections. These infections are not only painful for the cat, but are also a sign that the feline's diabetes is not under control.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Pfizer Animal Health, the manufacturer of Amoxi-Drops, lists treatment of cystitis, a urinary tract infection caused by increased bacterium "Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus spp., E. coli, Proteus mirabilis and Corynebacterium spp" as an approved usage for the medication.

    Function

    • Playfulness is a sign your cat is feeling better.

      Amoxi-Drops are classified as an aminopenicillin, which converts to liquid form by adding water to amoxicillin powder. This makes administering the medication easier for cat owners. Once the cat ingests the Amoxi-Drops, the cat's tissues absorb the medication.

    Considerations

    • While Doctors Foster and Smith indicate that ampicillin (an injectable form of penicillin in the same classification as Amoxi-Drops) may interfere with accurate urine glucose results, there is no indication that amoxicillin, the primary ingredient in Amoxi-Drops, causes the same problem.

    Warning

    • It is critical to discuss any antibiotic prescriptions for a diabetic cat with a veterinarian. The veterinarian can best determine if prescribed antibiotics will interfere with the cat's diabetes and related treatment program.