Is it safe to use neosporin on a cat?

Question

My cat has just scraped her leg on the table. It's not bleeding, just scraped, but I don't want it to get infected. What should I do? Is neosporin an option or will it be poisonous to her since she could lick it off?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer 1

Hi Natalia...generally, it's recommended to only treat the affected area with only antibacterial soap and water. This will be enough to prevent infection. Antiobiotic creams that are made for humans can be administered incorrectly even in very tiny doses. A vet would be best to advise if this would benefit the injury as different antibiotics are used for different types of infections. We always recommend our clients to use only antibacterial soap and water until they can contact us.

Pet antibiotics aren't freely available for the same reason that human antibiotic creams aren't freely available. I guarantee that there are many human topical antibiotic creams that require prescriptions. People are guaranteed to overuse, misdose, use after expiration date, etc. Antibiotics are prescription only to protect the patient and the public at large. Believe me, if people had free access to all the antibiotics they want soon none of them would be any good because monster resistant strains would develop. Neosporin is meant for use on the surface (topical). The three antibiotics that are in it (Neomycin, Polymyxin and Bacitracin) can have negative effects on human and animal tissue if internalized/ingested from licking. This is another reason for regulating the use of antibiotics, especially stronger versions. Antibiotics are pretty good at only targeting bacteria but eukaryotes and prokaryotes still have many similarities and some antibiotics can be very harmful to humans and pets if taken incorrectly.

Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide should never be administered to open wound tissue. The problem with hydrogen peroxide and some other traditional debriding agents is that they also damage the healthy cells (keratinocytes and fibroblasts) that are needed for wound healing and inhibit their necessary migration into the damaged area. ANY VET CAN VERIFY THIS FACT!!!!

Here's an article written by a nursing student who learned discovered the dangers of Hydrogen Peroxide: http://www.epinions.com/content_1742577796

Every one here in Yahoo Anwers may mean well, but sometimes there are some people who prank others which could cause your pets further harm. It's always to best entrust a licenced medical practitioner.

Answer 2

Keep in mind that "declawing" actually cuts off the first third of their finger. You didn't just take out his claws-- but cleaved off a fair bit of bone. Imagine how it would feel to take a third off each of your fingers-- that's how the poor cat feels. And it maycause problems later on in his life as well. First, apologise to your poor cat. Then take him to the emergency vet, they are open all night. They can tell you what is safe and what isn't, that's better than people on here can do. Taking him there would be best-- he's been in horrible pain for a week and there's no need to make it worse by waiting. And yes Neosporin is safe for animals-- but I'm thinking it would be bad if he kept licking it off. Probably would make him very sick-- and it really sounds like he'd lick it off if he's been lciking a wound for a week. And I know cats hate cones-- but that might be what the vet will reccomend. Good luck,and please research alternatives next time you think about getting a cat declawed. And always neuter and spay your pets.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Is it safe to use neosporin on a cat?
My cat has just scraped her leg on the table. It's not bleeding, just scraped, but I don't want it to get infected. What should I do? Is neosporin an option or will it be poisonous to her since she could lick it off?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer 4

Topical Antibiotic For Cats

Answer 5

I have used neosporin (at my vet's recommendation) on my cats, dogs, even guinea pigs for years and have never had any problems. She may try to lick it off. she may not. If she does, it won't hurt her her. If you're concerned, wrap it up.

Answer 6

Yes it is safe, so if Peroxide. My older cat bit my younger cat one weekend. It was infected and the vet was closed, so my son called a vet friend of his and she told us to clean with Peroxide, lightly sponge with gauze and then apply Neosporin on the wound and take him to the vet on Monday morning. We did this and my vet said good thing you took care of this over the weekend, because it would have been an abscess by now and would have cost, lacing, medications, and a very big vet bill. Instead he gave me and antibiotic and told me to continue my cleaning and first aid routine.

Answer 7

I've used it many times - and been told to by my vet. If you have any gauze you can tale on her leg for a couple of days, that would be better because then the ointment could work without her licking it off.

Answer 8

Yes,it's fine to use on cats.I've even used it on turtles,snakes and baby birds with no ill effects.

Answer 9

its meant for people so i wouldnt try that instead try washing it but not with soap just rinse it shell be fine espacially if its not bleeding but thats good you care about your pets

Answer 10

No, your cat will just lick it off.
Use hydrogen peroxide instead every few hours, just a small amount, nothing more.