is it a good idea to give VetRx for sheep to cats?

Question

Our cat is sick. He is an 80% outdoor cat, he hates to stay in. But we have been keeping him in, he has been sick for over 2 weeks. He has no shots except for his rabies. He has a bad cold and is getting our other animals sick. My dad being the idiot that he is, is too lazy to bring him to the vet and is giving him VetRx for sheep. Is that a good idea. I told him it wasn't and to bring him to the vet, we have the money, that is not the issue.

ugh. sometimes I hate my dad. he thinks he is right all the time. He says he doesn't care that it is made for sheep and that all the ingrediants are "okay" for him. That may be true but he isn't getting any better. He can barley breath, and has snots comming out of his noes all the time, can't stop sneezing and when he sneezes it is sometimes a little pink. And also that VetRx stuff for sheep says to give a sheep 2-3 drops in their nose. and he has been giving the cat at least 2 if not more in each nosteral, he doesn't measure it and has no idea what he is doing. I am only 14 so it would be hard for me to take him to the vet myself.

Answer 1

I think your dad is an idiot, you said it first so don't get mad at me.

The stuff says 'sheep' right on the label, that means it has been tested only on sheep. No tests have been run using cats, does he want your cat to be the guinea pig? Giving it to another animal is insane, you have no idea if one or more ingredients is poisonous to cats or if the cat even has the disease that VetRx is meant to be used to treat. At best the sheep stuff won't do anything, at worse your cat could end up dead.

Ask your dad if he was sick would he take the VetRx or go to a doctor? If he still won't take your cat to the vet than find somebody else with a car and start begging

Edit: How about your mom? Can you convince her to drive you? What about neighbors, any of them you know well enough to ask? And since I assume you live on a farm maybe you can call a vet and get them to come to you, I know vets in rural areas often make house calls

Answer 2

Explain the situation to the vet and ask if he or she will speak to your dad on the phone. Maybe when a vet gives him free advice about how he could be poisoning the family cat, he'll come to his senses. But I doubt it. Idiots like that, unfortunately my dad was one, always think they know better. Your cat needs antibiotics prescribed by a VET, not sheep stuff. And tell your dad that what he has been doing is obviously NOT working because after two weeks, nothing has changed for the better! It's time to get the vet involved or the cat could die.

Answer 3

I KNOW JUST HOW YOU FEEL!! My dad is a dairy farmer and gave cow medicine to my cat! He also thinks he is always right! Don't let your dad give your cat sheep medicine. Sheep medicine is for sheep just like your dad would not give you sheep medicine for a cold. I suggest calling the vet since you cant drive. Try the simple stuff the vet reccomends, but remember if your cat is seriously in pain it may be better to his pain. I don't really know what to say but I understand your position. Sorry about that. Good luck to you and your cat.

Answer 4

Then take him to the vet yourself. NO - it's not okay to give him sheep meds!!!! What the heck is wrong with your father. They do not have the answers for everything! Hate to break it to ya daddy!!! Mine doesn't either!!Just thinks he does! He could be doing more harm then good, stop the meds immediately and get him to the vet. They'll only put him on antibiotics and he will be cured in a few days instead of going thru all that cr_p your going thru. He would of been better already!! Cats cannot have dog meds and dogs cannot have cat meds and cats cannot have SHEEP MEDS!!!!!!!!!!! Get the poor thing to the vet and cure everyone's stress!!!

Answer 5

It is NEVER ok to give medication designed for one animal to another. Different animals' bodies metabolize medications differently, and it is easy to overdose a small animal like a cat. It's also possible that this medication doesn't work for cats, and your dad is simply wasting money giving it to him.

It sounds like your cat may have an upper respiratory infection. If this is the case, it needs to be seen by a vet **ASAP**. URI's can be fatal if not properly (and promptly) treated.

I would also strongly suggest having kitty tested for FIV/FELV and getting him full vaccinations while you're at the vet. An outdoor kitty is exposed to way too many things not to have all their shots.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Either take him yourself or CALL the vet and ask about the medication. Quite often human and other species medication is toxic to cats,so don't assume that if it works for sheep it'll be safe for felines.

Answer 7

of moneys not the problem take him yourself ... talk to your dad this can kill you cat it hasnt been used on cats thats why its for sheep !! please ur cat can die ! you need to go to the vet ASAP !!