With animals it can be a little harder because they are very resilient to pain and sometimes do not show symptoms as we do. Their threshold is alot higher, along with the fact that they are unable to talk to us. If he was already having problems with kidneys, then they can fail at any time and there is nothing that you or your veterinarian could have done, it is a possibility that the Clavamox might have been a bit upsetting to his stomach, thus you seeing him seem to choke on it.
I don't think your veterinarian would have prescribed the medication if he ever thought it would put your cat at risk no more than I think there was anything that you could have done to prevent this. Same as with humans when kidney problems they can fail at anytime, and some don't even know they had a kidney problem for a lengthy time. Acute is a sudden onset where Chronic means it has been a lengthy illness, in your case it sounds like it was acute and came on suddenly with no apparent prior symptoms.
I think you should find closure in knowing that you did everything that you could for your beloved pet by taking him to the veterinarians and trying to get treatment for him when you knew he was sick. Clavamox is a widely used medication for animals and most have no side effects from it. I have supplied some information about Clavamox below and also a link to explain more about kidney failure that I feel will be of help to you, and I am so very, very sorry for your loss.
Clavamox:
Amoxicillin + clavulanate is a combination of two drugs that act together (synergistically) to treat or prevent bacterial infections in animals. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic related to penicillin, except that it has a somewhat broader spectrum of antibacterial action.
Clavulanate is an inhibitor of an enzyme produced by bacteria. This enzyme, beta-lactamase, would ordinarily render amoxicillin inactive. Clavulanate has no antibacterial effects; it simply acts as an inhibitor of an important resistance mechanism.
The combination of these two drugs in the same tablet means they act synergistically to treat bacterial infections that would otherwise have been resistant to amoxicillin alone.
As with similar penicillin drugs, amoxicillin + clavulanate kills bacteria by inhibiting production of the bacteria cell wall. Other related drugs include ampicillin, penicillin G and ticarcillin.
Amoxicillin + clavulanate is a prescription drug and can only be obtained from a veterinarian or by prescription from a veterinarian.
Brand Names and Other Names
This drug is registered for use in humans and animals.
Human formulation: Augmentin® (SK-Beecham)
Veterinary formulation: Clavamox® (Beecham), Clavamox-Drops® (Beecham)
Uses of Amoxicillin + Clavulanate
Amoxicillin + clavulanate is administered to treat infections caused by susceptible bacteria.
Infections treated with amoxicillin + clavulanate may include skin infections, bone infections, wound infections, infections in the mouth, pneumonia and bladder infections.
Amoxicillin + clavulanate is not effective for viruses and parasitic infections (such as worms or mites).
Despite the combination of amoxicillin plus clavulanate, resistance may still occur with some bacteria and infections unresponsive to treatment are possible.
Precautions and Side Effects
While generally safe and effective when prescribed by a veterinarian, amoxicillin + clavulanate can cause side effects in some animals.
Amoxicillin + clavulanate should not be used in animals with known hypersensitivity or allergy to the drug.
Some animals may vomit shortly after administration of amoxicillin + clavulanate. This may occur in as many as 10 percent of dogs. In these cases, it may be helpful to feed the animal some food prior to drug administration to decrease stomach irritation. If vomiting after administration continues to occur, contact your veterinarian.
It is common for animals to develop diarrhea or loose stools from oral amoxicillin, and the same reaction may occur with amoxicillin + clavulanate. This is caused by a change in the bacterial population in the animal’s intestine.
Amoxicillin + clavulanate may interact with other medications. Consult with your veterinarian to determine if other drugs your pet is receiving could interact with amoxicillin + clavulanate. Such drugs include chloramphenicol and tetracycline.
How Amoxicillin is Supplied
The veterinary form of amoxicillin + clavulanate is supplied in various size tablets ranging from 62.5 to 400 mg and a 50 mg/ml liquid oral suspension. These forms contain an amoxicillin to clavulanate ratio of 5 to 1.
The human form has a slightly different ratio of the amoxicillin to clavulanate; however this drug should also be safe for animals. Augmentin® is available in tablets in a range of sizes that vary from 250 to 875 mg (amoxicillin content), chewable tablets ranging in size from 125 to 400 mg, and oral liquid suspension that contains from 25 to 80 mg amoxicillin per ml. Clavulanate content in these preparations varies from 2:1 to 7:1 (amoxicillin:clavulanate).
Dosing Information
Medication should never be administered without first consulting your veterinarian.
The dose of amoxicillin ranges from 5 to 12 mg per pound (10 to 25 mg/kg) two or three times a day orally.
Doses are determined according to amoxicillin content of the tablet since ratios of clavulanate in the preparation may vary.
The duration of administration depends on the condition being treated, response to the medication and the development of any adverse effects. Be certain to complete the prescription unless specifically directed by your veterinarian. Even if your pet feels better, the entire treatment plan should be completed to prevent relapse or prevent the development of resistance.
http://petplace.netscape.com/Articles/artShow.asp?artID=1567
For more information on kidney failure visit:
Acute kidney failure (acute renal failure or ARF) is characterized by an abrupt decline in kidney function that leads to changes in the chemistry of the body including alterations in fluid and mineral balance. The changes that arise as a result of ARF affect almost every body system.
The kidneys filter blood, remove the waste products of metabolism, and eliminate them in the urine. The kidneys also regulate the volume and composition of body fluids (including mineral concentrations and acid base balance), and produce hormones that stimulate the production of red blood cells (erythropoietin) and regulate calcium balance (calcitriol).
Acute kidney failure can be caused by toxic injury to the kidneys, decreased blood flow and oxygen delivery to the kidneys, infections, obstruction of the kidneys and prevention of urine elimination caused by a ruptured bladder.
The recent recognition of kidney failure is not necessarily the same as acute renal failure, since some animals with chronic kidney failure tolerate it for some time before symptoms are apparent.
There is no specific breed predilection but older animals are thought to be at greater risk for acute kidney failure. Acute kidney failure is more common in the fall and winter due to pet exposure to anti-freeze which contains ethylene glycol. Cats that are allowed to roam outside without supervision potentially have increased exposure to ethylene glycol.
The symptoms of ARF, although often severe, are not specific. Even with intensive management, ARF is a very serious disorder and often is fatal.
http://petplace.netscape.com/Articles/artShow.asp?artID=386&q=kidney+failure
*Cheryl K* Please click the
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