Kittens on Antibiotics.. How long does it take?

Question

I have two kittens that are on Antibiotics to get rid of their stuffy noses and runny eyes. One had a cough but that cleared right up in a day. I've had them on the antibiotics for over a week and they're still stuffy and have runny eyes. I'm just curious of when these should clear up. I know meds take times sometimes.

Also the kittens around about 3 months old. (: Forgot to mention that.

Answer 1

Generally speaking medications say on the container how to dispense, and how long to give. Also says take ALL of the medicine because relief of symptoms does not mean irradication of infection.
If the antibiotics came from a reputable Vet your questions should have been addressed when kittens were seen to get the meds. If still symptomatic after all meds are gone, may need further diagnosis...

Answer 2

Antibiotics For Kittens

Answer 3

There's no way anyone on here can give you a timespan. Every illness, every med, and every individual animal takes different times. It depends what the actual illness is. This sounds like it might be cat flu, which is actually a virus i.e something that is not cured by antibiotics. HOWEVER it's still wise to administed antibiotics to a cat with cat flu, as secondary bacterial infections are often what finished the cat off. You're giving antibiotics to support the kitten's immune systems while they fight off the disease.

What's most important is to finish the full course of meds, EVEN if the kittens seem better before they're finished - and to keep your vet informed of their progress. If the kittens aren't better when the meds are finished, or if they get at all worse - don't come on here, call your vet. Your vet should really have told you when he might expect to see an improvement, and when he wants to hear from you again by.

Chalice

Answer 4

Keep giving the antibiotics until the bottle's empty. The mild swelling is OK -- my kitten actually had a pretty large lump! Don't touch it, and try to keep the kittens from messing with it (that can be hard) and try to keep them calm too. No wrestling around the tummies! I actually kept mine in a carrier for a day or two to keep them from jumping all over the house. If you see any pus forming near the stitches, there is an infection and they need to go to the animal shelter, where their vet will look at the kittens and do whatever needs done. Most animal shelters will take care of any veterinary needs for at least the first two weeks. Kudos on adopting from a shelter. It saves lives. Good luck!

Answer 5

Old Cat Lady is right.

The kittens that are still sick might benefit from a longer course of antibiotics or a different antibiotic if there seems to be a secondary bacterial infection present (coloured discharge, fever, lethargy).

Another thing you can try, with your vet's support, is to give all of your cats l-lysine amino acid mixed into their wet food every day. I give sick adults weighing 10lbs 1000mg daily; a kitten dose would be less. L-lysine keeps the virus from replicating and allows the cats' own immune systems to fight off the virus. It does take time to work. You can get it in capsule form from a pharmacy (Walmart is inexpensive) or health food store.

Also, talk to your vet about using interferon. Oral doses and eye drops can be effective for stubborn upper respiratory infections.

Keep in touch with your vet.

Answer 6

Did your vet say anything about a virus. Some cats have a viral infection that causes this and it comes and goes their whole lives. Antibiotics can take a long time to help. Sometimes it can take several courses and up to a month to real get rid of an infection.

(Speaking from long experience with my own cats.)

Answer 7

Generally, you should see vast inprovement in 3-5 days. You do not want to stop antibiotics while there are still symptoms present.
Most meds run 10-14 days, and if you are getting to the middle of that time frame and there are still symptoms, call the vet. They may have to extend the duration, or change the medication.

Answer 8

The vast majority of these symptoms are caused by a viral infection and antibiotics won't cure that. Vets give the antibiotics to prevent any possible bacterial infection (like pneumonia) from developing.

It is important to keep in touch with the vet if the stuffiness leads them to stop eating (cats need to smell their food). The viral infection will probably just have to run its course just like in human flu and the antibiotics will prevent possible batercial complications.

Answer 9

They may need to be seen by the vet again. Your vet may want to reassess them and change their meds.