The administration of Fish Mox

Your vet does not have the right to refuse to provide you with a prescription. The following is from the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board website (http://www.ncvmb.org/assets/FAQ.htm):

Prescription Issues:

In March 1996, N.C. Assistant Attorney General Kip Sturgis contacted the Board by letter as a result of complaints received by the Attorney Generals office concerning veterinarians and prescriptions. In that letter Mr. Sturgis summarized his office concerns as followed, the first on medically unjustified restraint of competition in the market for veterinary medicine. The second is directed to the ethics of these anticompetitive practices that not only place the veterinarians commercial interest in direct conflict with the animals owner, but may also undermine the veterinarians professional purpose to promote animal health by foreseeably leading some owners to delay or forego veterinary treatment of their animals. The third, reflected by complaints both agencies have received, focuses on the damage these practices have on the publics perception of veterinarians professionalism.

If a veterinarian based upon his or her medical opinion is willing to dispense medication, then they (veterinarians) must also provide a prescription, in place of said medication, should the owner request a prescription. If a veterinarian based upon his or her medical opinion not be willing to dispense medication, than it would also be appropriate to deny a request for a prescription.

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If you choose, you could file a complaint with the NCMVB. I would let your vet know that she is in violation of the state's veterinary medical practices. Most, if not all, states have a similar rule--you should always be able to get a written prescription to be filled elsewhere.

For those, like me, who end up here after doing a Google search, I'd like to add some observations I've compiled after repeatedly paying too much money at the vet for something that I can pick up at the feed store for about $10:

Clavimox, as prescribed by the veterinarian for my 13-pound male cat (he's a big boy), comes in a 15ml bottle and claims to contain 62.5mg per 1 ml of the active ingredient amoxicillin. I am to give him 1 ml every 12 hours for 7 days.

The Fish Mox capsules I purchased at the local feed store each contain 250mg of amoxicillin.

I'll stop short of posting the actual formula I use, as I am certainly not a vet, and don't encourage anyone to do this I think it is awfully convenient, however that each Fish Mox tab has exactly 4 "vet recommended" doses in it. I guess I'll also add that my cat doesn't mind how Fish Mox tastes when mixed with water and put into a Clavimox-branded syringe.

While I've tried to avoid the controversy in this post, I just can't leave without adding these two bits: I appreciate those of you who try to warn people of the dangers of treating a pet without "professional" guidance, but I identify much more strongly with people who are caring for animals that no one else will care for, that vets refuse to see without a $100 payment, and which would otherwise die without some clever, well researched, and carefully executed home care.

Please read RULE 1 of the FORUMS....


No online advice can replace direct veterinary intervention. If you suspect that your cat may be ill, please contact your vet immediately. You are welcome to look for advice in the health forum while waiting for that appointment, but never delay proper veterinary care waiting for Internet advice. Remember that cats, and especially kittens, are very adept in keeping pain to themselves and delaying treatment may cause irreversible damage.

The advice given here cannot take into account your cat’s previous history, and nobody here can give your cat a physical exam to check for any abnormalities. Please feel free to get opinions here, but take your cat to the vet, and discuss any possible solutions with your vet to get their expert, medical opinion first.


Also If you were truely trying to avoid contraversy you would not have posted information that could CAUSE DEATH if not use properly...

Getting medications elsewhere cheaper is always helpful, but just make sure you let your vet know that you are planning on doing that and what specific pill you're going to get. While there are many animal medications that are just human medications, there are also many more that have a slightly different ingredient that may end up being lethal for a cat.

So please never medicate your cat with any drug without first consulting with your vet, even if the medication appears the same.

About Fish Mox (please note I am NOT saying it should be used without a vet, just stating the facts).

Amoxicillin is Amoxicillin - PERIOD. If it is pure, that is what you are getting - Amoxicillin. No two ways about it, and that is what it is... Crazy, but that is that. Yep, this is the same stuff we humans take to our infections with Drs. prescription, and cats and dogs take under vet prescription.

Fish Mox is Pure Amoxicillin 250mg, and the Forte version is Pure 500mg. Due to pricing it is widely used by people who run cat rescues and sanctuaries, etc.

As the other poster mentioned, it is essentially the same stuff as Clavamox, so for people with multiple cats and cats that have recurrent URIs, this can in fact save a lot of $$$ - BUT under vet guidance, at least so he/she can help you to set up dosage...

But it is the same stuff.... Well... Let's just say I have some on my own medicine cabinet for both my cats but specially for me, with the approval of my dad, who is a big time chemist (and Dad, before all) and my personal Doctor... I also have for my cats, just in case, and will use it if needed, BUT WILL TAKE IT TO THE VET FOR DOSAGE.

Do a search on Amazon, and you will see just what I am talking about...

Now, with that stated, it is an antibiotic, and should not be used without the guidance of a vet. Another vet might be happy to work with you on dosages...

Please, NEVER EVER give a medicine to your cats without consulting your vets!!!

A colony of feral cats owns us. Thanks to a local program for spaying/neutering, there are now only eighteen of them. When one gets sick, some others do. Paying for a vet is not something we can afford. We give them food, water and shelter ($6 plastic storage containers with a round hole at one end and bath rugs for insulation -- they love them).

As with most feral cats, they have to deal with an upper respiratory infection when they are around 6-8 weeks. It seems to be a rite of passage. We use the fish medication. Without it, they will certainly suffer through a week.

It is ridiculous that we live in a world where the medical community locks away knowledge of and access to medication even for animals. I expect the vet community to take action to "protect" even fish from us ignorant owners by requiring a prescription for fish medication. If vets really did care for pets, the medication and information about dosages would be posted on the internet with their blessing.

I know there are vets who are not in the biz for the money, but in general, the vet community is all about making money.

You can call and talk to a local animal charity for accurate information on dosages and medications that will not cost you next weeks food for your cat(s).

I came across this website "Cat Care Tips"  when I was trying to figure out the most cost-effective way to worm a bunch of cats.  It gives instructions for using a few different types of fish antibiotics on cats.  The instructions for amoxicillin are just to add it to a jug of water and use that as their water source, but it actually seems to me like 250mg/gallon of water isn't a strong enough dose, but it depends entirely on how much the cats drink.  I suppose it's convenient for large numbers of cats.  You could also mix it into wet food, I guess.  

I Googled amoxicillin dose for cats, and several sites said that the standard dose is 5-10mg/pound every 12-24 hours.  

Did you ever try it. Last year I tried the fish tetracycline, that I bought at Petsmart, on my cat with URI.  But, I had to give it to her in her food (fussy) so it didn't work at all.  I need amoxicillin BADLY.  My 20+ cats keep getting URI, esp. in winter when they all huddle closely together to keep warm.

OMG!!!!!! This heavenssafehaven.webs.com site of ct tips that you recommended sounds like it woulda saved the lives of a few of my rescued cats..in the psat...and will save more NOW!!! I'll tell the other rescue lady I know!!!!

wynnt said:

Did you ever try it. Last year I tried the fish tetracycline, that I bought at Petsmart, on my cat with URI.  But, I had to give it to her in her food (fussy) so it didn't work at all.  I need amoxicillin BADLY.  My 20+ cats keep getting URI, esp. in winter when they all huddle closely together to keep warm.

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It doesn't work if you put it in their food?  I thought it did... 

socksy said:

It doesn't work if you put it in their food?  I thought it did... 

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You are relying on each cat eating enough of the food where the medication is for it to work. 

OrientalSlave said:

You are relying on each cat eating enough of the food where the medication is for it to work. 

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Oh, I see.  When I put medication in the cat's food, I just put a small amount and watch them eat it all.  But, my cats are little gobblers and I don't have any problem getting them to eat pretty much whatever I put in front of them!  If I were worried about them finishing, I'd probably use the syringe and squirt it into their mouth.  Maybe with a bit of salmon oil.  If the medicine isn't in powder or liquid form already, I have a pill grinder for that.  

Hi there! Got the fishbiotic at the farm store. They said a lot of people get it for the cats and dogs and themselves! We have 7 ferel cats at the shop and they get it in the food and the water. I keep a bowl of water (16 oz) with one 250 mg cap of amoxicillin and put one cap per can of food. They seem to stay pretty healthy.

Good luck!

whitydot said:

Hi there! Got the fishbiotic at the farm store. They said a lot of people get it for the cats and dogs and themselves! We have 7 ferel cats at the shop and they get it in the food and the water. I keep a bowl of water (16 oz) with one 250 mg cap of amoxicillin and put one cap per can of food. They seem to stay pretty healthy.

Good luck!

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Please, you don't have them on it all the time?  That's the way to resistant strains of bacteria.  Antibiotics should only ever be given when there is a medical need.

I bought some microchips from this eBay seller: Countryside Pet Supply, and if you look under "Medications" they have more antibiotics than I've ever heard of.  Apparently, they also have wormers marketed for use in fish, but they seem to be the exact same active ingredients as in cat wormers.  Makes sense, I guess, since the wormers target entire orders of parasites and aren't species-specific. More wormers under "Wormers", too.  Wow.

I'm not suggesting everyone go buy all these antibiotics without consulting a vet, though.  I only have knowledge on a few antibiotics, it's just amazing to see what's available if you look.  

OrientalSlave said:

Please, you don't have them on it all the time?  That's the way to resistant strains of bacteria.  Antibiotics should only ever be given when there is a medical need.

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Yes, even if the cat has a cold, it's only necessary to use antibiotics if they have a secondary infection.  L-Lysine would be a better supplement for regular use, as it simply helps the immune system fight viruses and doesn't lead to super-bugs.  

Way true, I usually run a bottle then stop till they start getting all snotty and hacking again. Need some pro-biotics after huh! Thanks for the input!!
 

This came up at the vet today.  Besti and Kubla were in for their final round of vaccines, and the vet suggested I give Besti some antibiotics for his booger nose.  I told him I had amoxicillin at home and I could give it to him.  I was pretty nervous because I didn't know how he'd react to that, but we had already talked about how I treat them for parasites myself.  He said it was a little strange for him, but he was willing to go along with it, but made me promise to bring Bestimus back if he didn't get better with my treatment.  Deal!  

I'm glad he's okay with it.  Now I don't feel sneaky and I don't have to hide anything from my vet.  

I just got some amoxicillin capsule from my vet. . .and it looks EXACTLY like Fish Mox. Same color, same writing, it's the same thing! So. . .I don't think I'll buy amoxicillin from him anymore, LOL. Unless I really want the bubble gum liquid for some reason.

Hello to All! The reality for us animal lovers is not everyone can afford vet visits but we love our animals and want the best for them. It is wonderful to have options when a vet visit is out of the question. I wish things were different. If I had funds, I would go to the vet. Fish Mox is just Amoxicillin. I am only concerned about the dosage for my 6-7 lb. female kitty who has chronic UTI's. I have been told to try natural remedy but as yet no result after 2 doses. I will try the Mox.