If your kitten experiences diarrhea, you want to get to the bottom of it -- no pun intended -- as quickly as possible. It's messy and making him uncomfortable, and the dehydration associated with diarrhea quickly takes a toll on tiny bodies. Your vet might prescribe Albon for treatment.
Sulfadimethoxine
Your vet prescribes sulfadimethoxine, marketed under the brand name Albon by Pfizer Animal Health, to treat many bacterial infections in dogs and cats. It's available in an oral liquid suspension and tablets, with the former most likely used for kittens. Your vet might also use the injectable version on your kitten to get it working virtually immediately. According to Drugs.com, sulfadimethoxine is a tasteless, almost odor-free white chemical that the body rapidly absorbs. It's very safe, with few side effects.
Coccidiosis
Among the most common uses for Albon in kittens is treating coccidiosis. Kittens pick up the one-celled parasites called coccidia from infected feces, most likely from their mother. She might have picked them up from eating infected rodents. The species of these parasites infecting felines are Isospora felis and Isospora rivolta. According to The Merck Veterinary Manual, kittens are most likely to develop coccidiosis because of the stress from weaning. Symptoms consist primarily of bloody, mucousy diarrhea. If your kitten is very dehydrated, your vet might also give him intravenous fluids.
Other Infections
In addition to coccidiosis, your vet might prescribe Albon for your kitten if he's diagnosed with bacterial infections of the urinary or respiratory tract, along with skin or soft tissue infections. Drugs.com states that the medication is effective against "streptococci, staphylococci, escherichia, salmonella, klebsiella, proteus or shigella organisms." Your vet determines what's causing your kitten's distress by examining fecal samples or blood and urine testing.
Treatment
Your vet determines the dosage of Albon based on your kitten's weight. After the initial dosage or injection, you'll give Kitty the liquid or tablet once a day. Usually, he receives the medication for three to five days. You should keep giving it to him for two days after his symptoms cease. Albon goes to work rapidly, so you should see improvement in your kitten's stool consistency within a day or two. If he's being treated for other infections, you should also see rapid improvement. However, if your kitten doesn't improve within three days, it's likely that Albon isn't doing the trick. Take him back to the vet for further treatment.
Always check with your veterinarian before changing your pet’s diet, medication, or physical activity routines. This information is not a substitute for a vet’s opinion.
