How Much Zithromycin To GIve

2 of my 7 month old kitties have URI's. I've called my vet and they were just there last week and came down with URI's literally 2 days later. Started off with coughing and now sneezing and runny noses. I cannot afford to bring them back. I have leftover zithromycin from my baby, enough to give them for 5 days each, and I called the vet and asked and she demanded I bring them in because of course she wants the money. I do understand that but I spent $300 last week on the cats and I cannot spend another $300. THe cats are 6 and 7 lbs. I'm wondering how much zithromycin they can be given. Can someone please help me. Thanks. Please no flaming. I love my kitties but the holidays are tight.

Please do not give your kittens left over medicine prescribed for humans. Your vet is being ethical and responsible by not prescribing medication for a cat she has not examined to diagnose properly. She could lose her license for doing that, it is illegal.

Since both kittens have the symptoms, ask if you can bring only one in. There will likely only be the office visit charge and the cost of the medication, if any.

crazycatladyx8 said:

2 of my 7 month old kitties have URI's.... Started off with coughing and now sneezing and runny noses.

I cannot afford to bring them back.(to the Vet)

...she demanded I bring them in because of course she wants the money.

Can someone please help me...Please no flaming

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Welcome to the forum, crazycatladyx8!

Your Vet demanded? Really...

otto has suggested some very logical, ethical reasons for your Vet to recommend that your kittens be seen. Assuming that it's all about "money" seems to me a little cynical.

Just so that you understand: "URI's" are most often viral in causation....for which antibiotics are useless (unless for prophylaxis purposes...which, in itself is problematic as it leads to antibiotic resistance ). URI's are best treated symptomatically and antibiotics only used if secondary bacterial infections develop - and, those would need to be properly diagnosed beforehand.

Zithromycin is not licensed for use in cats. Yes, it is sometimes (but NOT commonly) used with cats, but only for specific indications. IT ALSO COMES WITH SOME SERIOUS POTENTIAL RISKS. In those specific circumstances, a Veterinarian may decide that the benefits outweigh those risks.....but are YOU willing to take such risks with your little ones? I can tell you without hesitation: I WOULD NOT.

You can read about Zithromycin here http://www.vetinfo.com/azithromycin-for-cats.html and here http://www.petplace.com/drug-library/azithromycin-zithromax/page1.aspx

If these kittens were here, I'd be using some of these symptom-treating suggestions: http://www.harpsie.com/cat_flu.htm#treatments while I carefully monitored them for any changes.

Not to presume that you already know this, I'll also suggest that you ensure that the kittens are eating and getting hydration throughout the course of their symptoms - you may need to assist-feed - because kittens can go downhill very quickly without these.

I have only used zithromycin for a cat one time for a very specific chronic oral infection where no other antibiotics worked. I had to get it from a human pharmacy and cut it into a tiny fragment for a single dose. If this is a URI, the zithro probably won't help them and you could harm your kitties by giving it to them. Zithro is really strong and not to be messed with. It doesn't surprise me that your vet won't give you dosing information over the phone for this drug.

You know, now reading this makes me nervous!  My kitty started with coughing - wet non productive cough -  (I have a post titled "URI?" that I put a video of his coughing if you want to see what the problem was) the beginning of November, he was then put on Amoxicillin drops November 15th because he was still coughing and xrays revealed maybe a very very slight case of bronchitis.  Two to three days after being on the Amoxicillin he was still coughing and developed sneezing with white discharge.  He was on the Amoxicillin for a total of 8 days before I called and said he was the same and meds weren't working.  The vet prescribed him Azithromycin for him.  I started it on Monday (dose says give every 24 hours for 5 days then every 3rd day for an additional 2 weeks and to call if no response after 5 days) and he is still sneezing with discharge but it is decreased from what it was.  I had no idea there were such side effects for him .  He is just over 7 lbs and the dose was 1.5mls every 24 hours for 5 days then 1.5mls every 3rd day for 2 weeks.  My other cat goes back for a recheck (chronic health problem) December 5th so Im gonna mention this to her when I go. 

becbec709 said:

You know, now reading this makes me nervous!  My kitty started with coughing - wet non productive cough -  (I have a post titled "URI?" that I put a video of his coughing if you want to see what the problem was) the beginning of November, he was then put on Amoxicillin drops November 15th because he was still coughing and xrays revealed maybe a very very slight case of bronchitis.  Two to three days after being on the Amoxicillin he was still coughing and developed sneezing with white discharge.  He was on the Amoxicillin for a total of 8 days before I called and said he was the same and meds weren't working.  The vet prescribed him Azithromycin for him.  I started it on Monday (dose says give every 24 hours for 5 days then every 3rd day for an additional 2 weeks and to call if no response after 5 days) and he is still sneezing with discharge but it is decreased from what it was.  I had no idea there were such side effects for him .  He is just over 7 lbs and the dose was 1.5mls every 24 hours for 5 days then 1.5mls every 3rd day for 2 weeks.  My other cat goes back for a recheck (chronic health problem) December 5th so Im gonna mention this to her when I go. 

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There are dangerous side effects from most of the drugs out there. I wouldn't hesitate to give zithro to a cat where it was completely justified to do so, and the zithro would act specifically on the problem it was prescribed for. All antibiotics are not equal - some focus on specific tissues or bacteria better than others. That is why Zithro has such limited use in cats. And due to its side effects, it should really be used as a last resort medication. It was prescribed for my cat after 3 months of failed attempts of other (various) antibiotics. The Zithro kicked the bacteria out of his system immediately, but I did have to be very careful about his food and water intake while he took it.