Frustrated

Why in the U.S. can I not buy Clavamox for cats without a prescription???  It is so costly to care for feral cats, and I've been caring long enough that I know unless you have a vet that trusts and knows you, getting such a simple life-saving drug is impossible otherwise, unless you bring the feral cat in for an office visit.  I just don't get why vets, new ones, are so insistent they see the cat.  Like catching a feral cat is easy.  TNR is also expensive too.  Hell, just giving the Humane Society a feral kitten without the mother costs $100.  Thanks for letting me gripe.

Here is a possible work around I've seen done.  Contact a local small private rescue group. Not a brick and mortar shelter but a rescue group that maybe has a small presence in a retail store, some place you can visit.  You can use petfinder.com and click on the shelter and rescue tab and put in your zip code.

Walk into some of these places, especially when there is someone there who is in charge (think weekend afternoons and after 5pm M-F when they are doing adoptions).  Explain that you work with ferals, that you need some Clav, and are willing to make a donation to cover their costs (and maybe a bit more).  Much cheaper than through a vet office.

Idea 2: Go to a brick and mortar shelter, like humane society, SPCA etc.  Ask to speak with someone from Intake.  They are used to dealing with rescuers.  Explain your situation and see if they will speak to their medical people about getting you a scrip without an exam.

Idea 3: Clavamox is also called Augmentin when given to people.  Its possible you're MD would give you a scrip that you could fill cheaply at walgreens etc, and then cut the pills up for appropriate dosages.  

I feel your pain

Oh and if you're treating ferals, clavamox is a twice a day Treatment, and if you used Doxy you could cut it down to a once a day Tx.

Thank you for your reply.  To be honest, I have done most of what you suggested, but it's getting harder.  It was nice just to be able to gripe and just you saying you "feel my pain" helped.  I will keep doing what I do and find a way.

I'm glad i made you feel a little better! Where are you located?  I'm in NYC.  8000 strays PTS last year, awful but down from 30,000 less than 10 years ago.

I am in a rural area between Syracuse and Rochester.  You'd think if you drove around here it would be a perfect place cats. That's not true though.  It is actually a very harsh environment for them, especially in winter.  

I've had good success with small humane societies that are foster cares. The one that I do volunteer work for does their own vaccinations, microchipping and deworming as well as some treatments. They buy "Bulk" medications and are often able to help by sharing

You can also buy "fish" or "bird" antibiotics OTC. Sometimes pet stores have them but online is usually easier. Of course they wouldn't have Clavamox but they do have amoxicillin, tetracycline, cephalexin, and doxycycline. Of course you need to know the proper time to use them and the proper dosage, but it kinda sounds like you're doing that already .

http://www.revivalanimal.com/Fish-and-Bird-Antibiotics.html

I use the fish antibiotics for my feral cats, it has worked pretty good for us.

Talk to a vet about prescribing the augmentin.  I believe it is on Walmarts $4 list.