Anal abscess & amoxycillin?

[digitaldiva]

Our little 17 pound, 9 yr old Bichon-girl developed an abscess to the left of her anus yesterday. We called the vet and have an appt tomorrow morning.

We put warm compresses on it and during the night, it popped and drained. We cleaned her up and did another warm compress and applied neosporin.

I forgot to ask the vet about antibiotics. We have a bunch of 250 mg of amoxicillin tabs (not sure of the spelling) and a bunch of 500 mg of the same. Vet cannot be reached today as it's New Year's Day.

I'd appreciate some input as to whether we should give her this antibiotic or not...is it the right antibiotic, what dose should she get and how often, should we cut the tabs in half or what --or should we wait until tomorrow morning when we can get in to see the vet?

I have no idea if she has an elevated temp.

Any help or input would be appreciated.

Thank you!

[Traci]

No, do not give antibiotics, only your vet can prescribe, and they are prescribed by the condition and by weight.

Please discard ALL antibiotics when a course is finished. They lose potency, expire and should NEVER ever be used for another condition or another pet under any circumstance without a vet's specific instruction.

Don't use neosporin, a better item would be k-y jelly..just a small amount to help soothe the area until she can be seen by your vet. The less manipulation to the area, the better, it's extremely painful for her.

[digitaldiva]

Thanks, Traci! I have some antibiotics on hand because of a congenital heart problem and have to be pre-medicated prior to any dental work. Thanks for the reminder, though. We do have K-Y and I'll use that.

I appreciate your post! THanks again!

[davet]

Re: Traci'spmment


Please discard ALL antibiotics when a course is finished.

do not save unused antibiotics, if you repeat giving them a resistance will develope and then that type will be worthless in the future...each infection may or maynot require a difrferent type so dump them when there are ones left over.....

if yopu are saving them to save money just think of how much more expensive it will be if a resistant strain developes.....dump em

[digitaldiva]

Yes, I always dump them according to the expiration date, but I always have some (current Rx) on hand.

[Traci]

Human antibiotics are not always appropriate for animals, and, the doseages are always different. Starting doses need to be calculated correctly with dose and weight, and course of treatment, and per condition. It is also usually a waste to try to calculate human antibiotic pills because you have to score them several times, and they are difficult to keep fresh and not lose their potency when scored.

Also, any pet can develop a reaction to any antibiotic at any time. Don't assume that one antibiotic you've given in the past is appropriate again, because oftentimes it is not. Again, they must be prescribed per condition, weight, upon exam etc. And, as Davet duly noted, there is always a risk of antibiotic resistance.