Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Acetylcysteine is dosed at 140 mg/kg IV IV loading, then 70 mg/kg q4h in cats, per Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th ed. (2016), Acetylcysteine monograph, printed p. 8 (corpus papich p. 36), Small Animal Dosage / Dogs and Cats: 'Antidote: 140 mg/kg (loading dose), then 70 mg/kg q4h IV or PO for 5 doses.'. Acetylcysteine is used in cats for Acetaminophen toxicity (antidote). Routes documented in cats: IV. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Acetylcysteine in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Mucomyst, ACC
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 140 mg/kg | IV loading, then 70 mg/kg q4h | 72 hours | Acetaminophen toxicity (antidote) | Strong | Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th ed. (2016), Acetylcysteine monograph, printed p. 8 (corpus papich p. 36), Small Animal Dosage / Dogs and Cats: 'Antidote: 140 mg/kg (loading dose), then 70 mg/kg q4h IV or PO for 5 doses.' |
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Breaks disulfide bonds in mucus glycoproteins reducing viscosity (mucolytic). Also a glutathione precursor providing hepatoprotection (acetaminophen antidote).
Dual role: mucolytic (nebulized/oral) and acetaminophen antidote (IV/oral). Bronchospasm possible with nebulization — pretreat with bronchodilator. Foul smell.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Acetylcysteine dose range in cats, with cited source references: IV 140 mg/kg IV loading, then 70 mg/kg q4h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Acetylcysteine in cats: IV.
Cited course lengths for Acetylcysteine in cats include: 72 hours. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Acetylcysteine is indicated in cats for: Acetaminophen toxicity (antidote).
These are general warnings for Acetylcysteine across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Dual role: mucolytic (nebulized/oral) and acetaminophen antidote (IV/oral). Bronchospasm possible with nebulization — pretreat with bronchodilator. Foul smell.
Why a species-specific page? Acetylcysteine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cats — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.