clindamycin hydrochloride help needed

Hi,

Our 12 yr old male was recently (late June) diagnosed with bad teeth causing gum infection. The vet prescribed clindamycin hydrochloride for what we thought was 10 days. Shortly after the visit when this was prescribed, the cat was boarded at the same place for two weeks. When we returned to pick him up I was told "oh, we refilled his medicine.". When I questioned why, I was told he would be on it for the rest of his life or until his teeth are fixed.

Since we got him back he has had little or no appetite, diarrhea and is losing weight. He was losing weight before but not this bad.

From what I've been reading this medication is only supposed to be given for 14 days max.

Is there a vet out there who can help me understand why we have had him on this for close to 30 days? I think it is killing him. Right now he is laying in the bathroom sink!

Thanks
Bill

no, no no.... Don't keep him on it long term - I would consult another vet, or a dentist...
Bugsy took the same antibiotic for the same condition. Because of the diarrhea I gave it for 7 days only.
I am keeping his gingivitis under control with natural supplements and vitamins. He has had GREAT improvement since I started him on it. He takes Transfer factor, L-Lysine, CoQ10 and for his intestinal health, enzymes and probiotics.
My Bugsy's gingivitis is immune-mediated, so the only "cure" will be a full mouth extraction, which he will get eventually. Have your vet told you to have a dental cleaning?
The only long term treatment with clin-drops (Clindamycin) is to give it for the firs week of each month... Of course to discuss with the vet.
Neither here or there, I would stop that treatment immediately, and look for another vet. Please please see another vet.

Another thing: To restore his GI tract's health, go ahead and get some Bene-Bac on Petco or Petsmart and give it to him. Clindamycin is very bad for the intestinal trac...

I'm sorry your kitty is going through this. I googled clyndamycin hydrochloride for cats and all of the sites said basically the same thing. One of the major side effects is diarrhea, sometimes bloody. At least one site recommended stopping the medication and talking to your vet if your cat has gastrointestinal issues. They all recommended periodic liver and kidney function blood tests if your cat is on the medication for more than 30 days. That says to me that it isn't really safe for long-term use.

I would definitely get a second opinion from a different vet, especially since this one continued the medication without telling you in advance or explaning the risks. If you can find a feline specialist that would be the best for your kitty and you.

What is your kitty's name? Hope he feels better soon.

You need to get a second opinion. There are no vets on this site, and any vet worth a grain of salt wouldn't try to diagnose him over the internet anyway. 30 days is a long time for an antibiotic, and in my experience, if a cat is ill enough to be on antibiotics that long, they will switch them out so that they don't build up a tolerance to them. If he needs dental work, then find a vet that specializes in dentistry.

Originally Posted by Momofmany

You need to get a second opinion. There are no vets on this site, and any vet worth a grain of salt wouldn't try to diagnose him over the internet anyway. 30 days is a long time for an antibiotic, and in my experience, if a cat is ill enough to be on antibiotics that long, they will switch them out so that they don't build up a tolerance to them. If he needs dental work, then find a vet that specializes in dentistry.

Click to expand...

Exactly what I was thinking...

Yeah, it really sounds to me like you need a second opinion... and fast... Clin-drops is not safe for long term use, it is awful to their digestive system, and is only masking the real problem.
Poor kitty... He must be feeling so bad ...
Bene-bac should help him feel better, at least help with the diarrhea...
Can you afford to take him to a Veterinarian Dentist? I think that would be your best bet...

I'll add to the chorus.....RUN, don't walk to the nearest competent feline Vet!

If you need help finding one, look here for a list of Vets who have proven their worth with very sick cats, or search for a feline Vet on this site.

My concern is about his not eating/eating enough....humans and other animals can manage to survive by drawing on body fat. Cats are unique in that their systems cannot do this, and they rapidly develop a life-threatening condition in their livers. Personally, I would stop the antibiotics, pick up some of this special high calorie food from the Vet's and focus on feeding until I could see the new Vet.

thanks everybody.

sounds like we are all on the same page. I stopped giving Friendly the meds right after posting the message. I read the same info about the length of treatment, which is why I asked.

His appetite came back right away. Just need to build back his body mass...nothing but skin and bone.

FWIW, treatment with this stuff started June 24th.

Also he is being treated for Hyperthyroid issues, which is what they diagnosed him with when we took him in back in October for teeth issues. They never have cleaned his teeth. I'm really disappointed with this vet/animal hospital with a good reputation. Time to find another vet.

thanks

Bill