Should I try different antibiotic while waiting for vet apt?
Background:
I'm at my S&B, and I have acquired a stray cat. He is a young, unneutered male.
When he arrived a couple weeks ago he had two, possibly three abscesses, one open. I started him on 62.5mg amoxicillin twice a day, and topical Neosporin twice a day after soaking open the scabbed abscess.
I also gave him flea and worm meds. Despite his health issues and lack of food, he had a lot of energy, and continues to. I haven't weighed him but I'd say he's gained about a pound in the last couple weeks. He's a very friendly and nice cat.
The abscess that was open is now healed over. The one known unopened abscess has shrunk from an original 2x3 inches to a bit less than an inch. The place that may or may not be an abscess is looking good too.
I decided since I seem to be keeping this cat I should take him in for a general exam, feline leukemia test, etc. I had also hoped to get the vet to look at the not completely healed abscess. But the soonest appointment I could get with my favorite vet is Wednesday.
In the meantime, I would like some advice on what to do.
I have some expired doxycycline and cefuroxime. The exact expiration dates are unknown, because the pharmacy where I got them just dates things one year from the prescription date. They were prescribed 3 years ago and dated for expiration 2 years ago. Presumably that means that the real expiration date was sometime more recent, but I don't know when. I have kept them cool and dry, but not refrigerated.
Options, as I see them:
1. Try one of the expired antibiotics.
2. Stick with the amoxicillin.
3. Give the amoxi AND a new one.
4. Call the vet on Monday and say that I want to see the new vet in the practice, who I haven't met, in order to get the kitty in a day or two sooner.
5. Take him to the emergency vet this weekend. (I really don't feel there is any emergency as he is not sick from the abscess and it is shrinking.)
I didn't ask my vet's office for advice, because I know from experience that they will not give advice on a cat they have not seen yet.
If any of you folks have thoughts, I would love to hear them!
I'm at my S&B, and I have acquired a stray cat. He is a young, unneutered male.
When he arrived a couple weeks ago he had two, possibly three abscesses, one open. I started him on 62.5mg amoxicillin twice a day, and topical Neosporin twice a day after soaking open the scabbed abscess.
I also gave him flea and worm meds. Despite his health issues and lack of food, he had a lot of energy, and continues to. I haven't weighed him but I'd say he's gained about a pound in the last couple weeks. He's a very friendly and nice cat.
The abscess that was open is now healed over. The one known unopened abscess has shrunk from an original 2x3 inches to a bit less than an inch. The place that may or may not be an abscess is looking good too.
I decided since I seem to be keeping this cat I should take him in for a general exam, feline leukemia test, etc. I had also hoped to get the vet to look at the not completely healed abscess. But the soonest appointment I could get with my favorite vet is Wednesday.
In the meantime, I would like some advice on what to do.
I have some expired doxycycline and cefuroxime. The exact expiration dates are unknown, because the pharmacy where I got them just dates things one year from the prescription date. They were prescribed 3 years ago and dated for expiration 2 years ago. Presumably that means that the real expiration date was sometime more recent, but I don't know when. I have kept them cool and dry, but not refrigerated.
Options, as I see them:
1. Try one of the expired antibiotics.
2. Stick with the amoxicillin.
3. Give the amoxi AND a new one.
4. Call the vet on Monday and say that I want to see the new vet in the practice, who I haven't met, in order to get the kitty in a day or two sooner.
5. Take him to the emergency vet this weekend. (I really don't feel there is any emergency as he is not sick from the abscess and it is shrinking.)
I didn't ask my vet's office for advice, because I know from experience that they will not give advice on a cat they have not seen yet.
If any of you folks have thoughts, I would love to hear them!
