ClindaCure after dental - really necessary?

Status
Not open for further replies.
L

Lylene & Barry

Active Member
(Also posted in Lantus TR)

Hi everyone.

Barry (OTJ since 10/09 & incorrectly diagnosed with HCM until having a cardiac ultrasound 2 weeks ago) and Paisley (on Lantus & previous UTI) had their dental cleanings yesterday. Barry had one extraction - a canine that had broken at the pulp. It's been broken for a long time. Their dental "health" was Grade 2 (gingivitis). Barry's was moderate. Paisley's was moderate to severe. They were both given injections of sustained release bupe for pain. It's supposed to last three days.

They were also both prescribed ClindaCure (clindamycin HCL liquid). I'm wondering what people's thoughts are on how necessary it is. Do vets generally prescribe it just as matter of course? It's absolutely horrid stuff and contains alcohol. Barry got one dose this afternoon and totally flipped out from the taste and, I'm assuming, the alcohol (8.64%) on sensitive gum and where the tooth was pulled. If he flipped out like that, Paisley will be much worse. I can handle that though if necessary.

Neither were prescribe an antibiotic pre-dental so things couldn't have been that infected. I did ask if they needed it and was told no.

Paisley was on antibiotics for a couple weeks starting 3/31 for an infection. Temp of 103.8F. Vet figured it was probably bladder infection that hadn't really cleared despite what other clinic said or maybe dental). We'll be checking back on the UTI to be certain it's gone. New vet seems to have a much better handle on the UTI issue.

My inclination is to take the bottles to the local animal shelter. I'm certain they could use it.

Thanks for thoughts and suggestions.

Lylene, Paisley (I'm getting a smidge less than 1.0u now dancing_cat ) & Barry (I didn't want to come home from the vet 'cause the really spoiled me. cat_pet_icon otj_icon)
 
There are very small Clindamycin tablets. Ask the vet to give you those instead. You should have been given the choice between that or the tablets. They would be very easy to give by hand or Pill Pocket.

Although not absolutely necessary after a dental, some vets give ABs after dentals as a matter of course, I guess thinking they need to give something to deal with any bacteria that was released in to the cat's system for the cleaning. Dr. Lisa says they are not necessary in most cases however.

From my own experience with Clindamycin - I give it to one cat 5 days each month because she is 20 yrs old and too frail now to have dentals. I can tell that by the end of the month her breath smells a little, after the 5 day treatment, no more odor. I am told it's a mild AB. I have confidence that my vet is doing the right thing for this cat given her age and condition.

I recently had a dental done on my 10 year old cat who's never had a dental before. She was not given an AB for the dental but did not have any extractions. So it's going to vary from case to case, vet to vet. If you don't think they need the AB, then discuss it, but your vet may believe otherwise and may be correct for your cat's situation.
 
With an extraction I would, but its your call...just to ward off any infection. Oh Clindamycin and the generics if you refrigerate them they supposedly dont taste as bad, still not great but better than room temp.

I hope Barry feels better with pearly whites!
 
The Clindamycin is nast tasting. Frigerating it hwlp. My vet said also to add Sweet'Low to help with the bad taste. I would give some antibiotic.
 
If your kitty is easy to pill - you can go to a healthfood store and buy empty gelatin capsules - fill it with the liquid then cap it and slime it in food for easy swallowing. I had my cat on a liquid that made her foam at the mouth - in the gelatin cap she couldn't taste it. Jan
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top