{"id":628998,"date":"2024-07-20T14:24:31","date_gmt":"2024-07-20T18:24:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628998"},"modified":"2024-10-25T09:50:39","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T13:50:39","slug":"cephalexin-for-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/cephalexin-for-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Cephalexin for cats"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cephalexin<\/span><\/a> is a common antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections. In veterinary medicine, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved it for use in dogs, but cephalexin in cats is considered “off-label.” Although cephalexin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic, veterinarians primarily use it to treat skin or soft tissue infections. Cephalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin. These drugs kill bacteria by punching holes in their cell wall. Veterinarians can choose from various cephalosporins that work better than cephalexin for many other types of bacterial infections, so their use of cephalexin may be limited to skin and soft tissue infections. <\/span><\/p>\n

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What is cephalexin used for in cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Cephalexin treats some bacterial infections in cats, but veterinarians primarily use it for skin and soft tissue infections. They can also use it for other bacterial infections, such as urinary tract or respiratory tract infections, but they more commonly rely on <\/span>other antibiotics<\/span><\/a> for treatment. <\/span><\/p>\n

Skin infections<\/span><\/h3>\n

Veterinarians primarily use cephalexin to treat skin infections in cats or “pyoderma.” These infections are usually caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus. <\/span><\/p>\n

Pyoderma<\/span><\/a> is the fifth most common skin disorder that veterinarians diagnose in cats. The bacteria causing the infection normally live on a cat’s skin without causing problems. However, if bacteria gets into broken or inflamed skin, it can create an infection. Getting the bacteria into the skin <\/span>is usually caused<\/span><\/a> by problems such as allergic reactions, follicle blockage, skin parasites like fleas or mites, hormone disorders, injury, immune suppression, or poor grooming.<\/span><\/p>\n

Skin infections aren’t always easy to spot in a cat. The infected area may have hair loss, bumps, plaques, or sores. A deep infection might involve pus-filled bumps or skin wounds that won’t heal. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cephalexin and other first-generation <\/span>cephalosporins<\/span><\/a> are the drugs of choice for treating skin infections in cats. Some veterinarians start with topical antiseptics in the form of medicated shampoos or creams. These often work without causing significant side effects in the pet. If they don’t work or the infection is bad enough, a veterinarian will start the cat on oral antibiotics like cephalexin. <\/span><\/p>\n

Other infections<\/span><\/h3>\n

Veterinarians generally do not use cephalexin other than for bacterial skin infections in cats. Depending on the bacteria involved, they may use it for urinary tract or kidney infections. Veterinarians have a broad choice of antibiotics to <\/span>treat UTIs in cats<\/span><\/a>, so cephalexin is usually not the first choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is cephalexin safe for cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Cephalexin is considered safe for cats and doesn’t usually cause side effects. When it does, these side effects tend to be minor. For this reason, veterinarians consider it a good choice for <\/span>extended treatment<\/span><\/a> of deep skin infections.<\/span><\/p>\n

Cats allergic to cephalosporins should never be given cephalosporin because of the risk of a hypersensitivity reaction. Veterinarians are cautious about using it in cats allergic to <\/span>penicillin<\/span><\/a>, cefamycin, or <\/span>carbapenem antibiotics<\/span><\/a> because there’s a small risk they may be allergic to cephalosporins, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tell the veterinarian if the cat has kidney disease, is pregnant or is lactating.<\/span><\/p>\n

Side effects of cephalexin in cats<\/span><\/h3>\n

The most common side effects of cephalexin in cats are:<\/span><\/p>\n