Medicine

Synulox for Cats - Dosage and Uses

 
Cristina Pascual
By Cristina Pascual, Veterinaria. December 8, 2024
Synulox for Cats - Dosage and Uses
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Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid is an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by a wide variety of bacteria, both gram-positive and gram-negative. It is commonly used in human medicine where it is sold under the trade name Augmentin, among others. In veterinary medicine, it is prepared in different formulations and is commonly sold under the trade name Synulox. It is prepared differently because the dosage is different for animals. While the exact type of infection may differ, Synulox is frequently used to treat infections located in the digestive tract, respiratory tract, urogenital tract, skin and soft tissues.

AnimalWised discovers more about Synulox for cat dosage, uses and side effects. We look at its different preparations, including tablet, oral suspension and injectable solution forms.

You may also be interested in: Clindamycin for Cats - Uses and Dosage
Contents
  1. What is Synulox for cats?
  2. What is Synulox for cats used for?
  3. How to give Synulox to cats
  4. Synulox for cats dosage
  5. How much does Synulox for cats cost?
  6. Side effects of Synulox for cats
  7. Contraindications of Synulox for cats

What is Synulox for cats?

Synulox is a trade name for an antibiotic which contains the following two active ingredients:

  • Amoxicillin
  • Clavulanic acid

When combined, these two ingredients are known variably as amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, amox-clav or co-amoxiclav. Synulox is a common trade name under which it is sold for veterinary use. There are other trade names, including generic forms of amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. While it is used to treat cats, it can also be given to target species such as dogs, cattle and pigs.

There are various preparations of Synulox available on the market. They include:

  • Tablets
  • Oral suspension
  • Injectable solution

While tablets and oral suspension may be given to pet owners for home administration, its injectable format is most often reserved for clinical use by a professional. This can include emergency treatment.

What is Synulox for cats used for?

As an antibiotic treatment, Synulox is used to treat bacterial infections. Most commonly, it is used to treat infections located in the:

  • Digestive tract
  • Respiratory system
  • Urogenital system
  • Skin and soft tissues

We have learned that Synulox has two active ingredients. The combined action of these ingredients allows it to be an effective and strong antibiotic:

  1. Amoxicillin is a broad-spectrum penicillin with bactericidal action.
  2. Clavulanic acid is a beta-lactamase inhibitor that enhances the action of amoxicillin.

Together, these two active ingredients are able to combat infections caused by multiple bacteria, both gram-positive (e.g. from the genera Actinomyces, Bacillus, Clostridium, Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus end Streptococcus) and gram-negative (e.g. from the genera Pasteurella, Bacteroides, Bordetella, E. coli, Fusobacterium, Haemophylus, Klebsiella, Proteus and Salmonella). It is important to note this antibiotic is not effective against resistant bacterial species such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus (methicillin-resistant) and Enterobacter spp.

Learn about another type of cat antibiotic with our article on doxycycline for cats.

How to give Synulox to cats

The administration of Synolux in cats will depend on the format in which the product is prepared. We look at the administration of this type of antibotic for cats:

Tablets

Synulox tablets are specially formulated to be palatable to cats. This means they can be offered directly to the animal by holding the tablet in your fingers and introducing it to their mouth.

If your cat does not swallow the tablet voluntarily, you can administer it with food. This can be done since food does not alter the absorption of this medicine. We recommend that you hide the tablet in a small amount of food, such as wet food, malt paste or a small piece of meat. This will make it easier to check whether your cat swallows the tablet or spits it out, something more difficult if you mix it into their food bowl.

You may need to amend the dosage by splitting a tablet in half. In these cases, the split tablet must be discarded and not kept.

Oral suspension

The oral solution must be prepared in advance, since the product is sold in powder form. The medicine must only be reconstituted with 15 ml of water and the mixture must be shaken well before use. Once the mixture has been prepared, the original cap must be replaced with the dropper cap and the product administered to the feline.

To administer the oral suspension, place one hand on your cat's head and gently tilt their head to one side. With your free hand, lift the lip and insert the dropper into the space behind the canines. Slowly pour the solution into the cat's mouth and make sure they swallow at the same time to prevent the contents from entering the airways. You can aid this process by gently rubbing their throat to stimulate peristaltic movement.

Injectable suspension

The injectable suspension must be administered by a veterinary professional, either intramuscularly or subcutaneously. This is usually required when the cat has a serious infection and the antibiotic action needs to be especially swift.

Synulox for cats dosage

The dosage of Synulox for cats will depend on different factors, especially the preparation and the weight of the animal. Below we detail the dosage of Synulox depending on its format.

Tablets

The recommended dose is 12.5 mg of active ingredients per kg of body weight, administered every 12 hours. This is equivalent to the following:

  • Kittens weighing between 1-2 kg: half a tablet, 2 times a day.
  • Cats weighing between 2-4 kg: one tablet, 2 times a day.
  • Cats weighing between 4-6 kg: one and a half tablets, 2 times a day.

Oral suspension

The recommended dose is 12.5 mg of active ingredients per kg of body weight, administered every 12 hours. This is equivalent to the following:

  • If measured by volume: 0.25 ml of oral suspension per kg of body weight, 2 times a day.
  • If measured in drops: 5 or 6 drops per kg of body weight, 2 times a day.

In oral therapy, most cases respond to treatment within 5-7 days. In chronic cases, longer treatments may be necessary to achieve complete curative resolution of the disease. If no improvement is seen within 48 hours of starting treatment, the treatment should be reconsidered.

Injectable suspension

The recommended dose is 8.75 mg of active ingredients per kg of body weight, given once a day. This is equivalent to:

  • All cats: 0.25 ml of injectable suspension per 5 kg of body weight, once a day.

Treatment should be continued for 3-5 days. If no improvement is seen within 48 hours of starting treatment, treatment should be reconsidered.

It should be noted that the injectable solution must be administered by a veterinary professional. It is often given in a clinical setting, better allowing the professional to monitor the progress of the treatment.

Learn more about the important of closely following veterinary instruction with our article asking can I give human antibiotics to my cat?

How much does Synulox for cats cost?

The price of Synulox for cats will differ depending on various factors. The country in which you buy them is one of the most significant, since the pharmaceutical markets can vary greatly. In the USA, we can find Synulox priced at the following rates:

Tablets

  • 50 mg tablets: $0.34 to $1.50 per tablet, depending on the quantity purchased and the seller.
  • 250 mg tablets: between $0.74 and $1.80 per tablet when purchased in bulk.

Oral suspension

  • 50 mg/mL drops: around $9–$15 for a standard bottle, suitable for smaller doses over a treatment course.

Injectable solution

Injectable formulations tend to be more expensive, with prices often exceeding $20 for small vial sizes depending on dosage strength.

Find out about the dosage, uses, cost and side effects of clindamycin for cats, another type of antibiotic used in veterinary medicine.

Side effects of Synulox for cats

According to the Synulox technical data sheet for cats, this drug can cause the following adverse effects:

  • Diarrhea and vomiting
  • Colitis (inflammation of the colon)
  • Allergic reactions both urticaria and anaphylaxis, in sensitive individuals
  • Opportunistic infections caused by bacteria that are not sensitive to this antibiotic
  • Blood dyscrasia (any quantitative or qualitative alteration of any of the elements of the blood)

It should be noted that the appearance of these adverse effects is very rare, occurring in less than 1 animal per 10,000 animals treated. If any of these side effects occur, treatment should be discontinued immediately and appropriate symptomatic treatment should be administered with the advice of a trusted veterinarian.

Discover more about what happens when a cat goes into anaphylactic shock with our related guide.

Contraindications of Synulox for cats

Although Synulox is considered a safe medication for cats, there are certain situations in which its use is contraindicated. They include:

  • Cats allergic to penicillin drugs, beta-lactam antibiotics or any of the excipients contained in the medication (e.g. xanthan gum, starch, yeast, sodium saccharin, colloidal silica, silicon dioxide, succinic acid, flavorings, colorings, etc.). Discover the signs of allergies in cats to help determine if your feline has a reaction.
  • Cats with oliguria, anuria or renal dysfunction.
  • Cats with infections caused by bacteria with known resistance to the combination of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid.
  • Cats being treated with other antibiotics with which an additive or synergistic effect has not been demonstrated.

Learn more about how respiratory infections are treated with our article examining the causes and treatment of heavy breathing in cats.

This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.

If you want to read similar articles to Synulox for Cats - Dosage and Uses, we recommend you visit our Medicine category.

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Synulox for Cats - Dosage and Uses