substitute for amoxicillin?

[Bram]

Can anyone suggest a substitute for amoxicillin that I can get over the counter? Everytime I take a pet to the vet, he sends me home with it and it's alot more expensive now than it was just a couple of years ago. I have an older cat with a skin allergy (most probably to fleas - which we are on a scheduled treatment to get rid of them- and have been for some time) vet will probably prescribe amoxicillin again - can I find something as effective but less costly?

[davet]

don't know why he/she is Rx amoxi unless it is for the bites that get infected or because yolur cat has a skin full of Strep epidermitus, ie a bacteria...i think you gotta get better control of the fleas and avoid the bite spots that apparantly are getting infected....possibly dip the cat for fleas, treat the premisis etc.
Amoxi does nothing for flea bites unless they are getting infect from the staph or strep that is haorobed in the skin...do more efferot to get rid of the fleas...

[Ash]

There is a Sticky at the top of this forum about how to get rid of fleas effectively. You might find some useful tips in there.

If your vet isn't advising you properly about fleas and you feel he isn't addressing the allergy properly (you say 'most probably due to fleas'), please see another vet who takes your and your cats problems more seriously. The vet should find out what exact allergy it is. If it's not due to fleas a completely different approach is necessary.

[Traci]

See a new vet immediately. A competent vet will investigate more thoroughly and opt for a skin scrape or culture to determine the cause of the allergies. It may not be flea-allergy-dermatitis at all, but something else altogether and your vet is probably treating inappropriately. Don't assume it is a flea allergy as it could be a systemic problem, immune problem, thyroid problem, even a food allergy....testing is necessary to determine the cause. If your cat is older than 7, get a full blood profile done, including urinalysis and thyroid function testing, this is necessary once or twice a year to detect hidden health problems in senior cats.

There are no over-the-counter antibiotics available, they are prescription only, used for specific purposes as prescribed by a licensed vet. Don't assume that any antibiotic is a cure-all to any condition or not without risks, this is why they are prescribed.

Amoxicillin is one of the most relatively reasonably-priced antibiotics available from your vet, but you need to see a new vet to get to the underlying cause of your kitty's skin condition. Responsible pet ownership involves a cost, and your kitty is depending on you to get her the care she needs.