Fungi are very resistant organisms that can enter the body of animals or humans through wounds in the skin, through the respiratory tract or by ingestion. They can cause various skin diseases in cats and, in more serious situations, cause a systemic disease
In some of the cases of fungus in felines, the treatment of choice is Itraconazole for cats, which stands out above other drugs for some of its qualities. Find out on our site everything about the use, administration or dosage of Itraconazole for cats:
What is Itraconazole for cats and what is it used for?
Itraconazole is an antifungal derivative of Imidazole that is used as the treatment of choice for certain fungal diseases due to its powerful action and mild side effects compared to other drugs in the same group. It is indicated for a wide variety of fungal infections, such as superficial, subcutaneous and systemic mycoses, as well as dermatophytosis, malassezia and sporotrichosis in cats.
In severe cases, it is recommended to associate potassium iodide This is not an antifungal, however, it stimulates the activity of certain cells of defense of the body and, together with Itraconazole, it has become one of the treatments of choice due to its good results.
Dosage of Itraconazole for Cats
This medicine can be obtained Only by prescription and only the veterinarian can determine a safe dose for our animals. It will explain what frequency and amount of Itraconazole is indicated for our feline, always taking into account different factors, such as its age, weight or condition among others.
The duration of treatment will depend directly on the adjacent cause, the response to the medication by the individual's body or the possible development of side effects.
How to give Itraconazole for cats?
Itraconazole comes as an oral solution (syrup), tablets, or capsules. In cats it is administered orally and it is always advisable to offer with food, to facilitate absorption.
The treatment should not be interrupted, nor should the dose be increased or decreased, except in those cases in which the veterinarian indicates it. Even if the feline appears he althy, the treatment must continue for the established period, since stopping the antifungal administration prematurely can cause the fungi to develop again and even generate some resistance to the drug.
In addition, it will be important to be very regular in the administration, however, if we have forgotten and we are close to the next hour of take, we should not administer double the dose. We will skip the missed dose and continue treatment as normal.
Overdose and side effects of Itraconazole for cats
Itraconazole is a relatively safe and effective drug, yes, as long as it is prescribed by a veterinarian and all recommendations are followed. As a precaution, we must remember that it should not be used in animals with hypersensitivity to the drug, liver problems, kidney problems, nor in pregnant or lactating cats or in kittens. Likewise, the indiscriminate use of this drug can cause an overdose with serious repercussions, such as hepatitis or liver failure.
Compared to other antifungals, Itraconazole has the fewest side effects, however, it can occasionally occur:
- Decreased appetite
- Weightloss
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Jaundice
In the event of observing any of the symptoms mentioned or a change in behavior in the feline, you should inform the veterinarian as soon as possible as soon as possible. Depending on the side effects, the doctor may decrease the dose, increase the interval of administration and even stop the treatment and replace it with another.
