Acyclovir for Cat
Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Acyclovir is used in cat for FHV-1 (not first-line). Routes documented in cat: PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Acyclovir in cat, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Zovirax
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 10–25 mg/kg | q8h | 7-21 days | FHV-1 (not first-line) | Weak | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your cat's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Mechanism of action
Nucleoside analog selectively phosphorylated by viral thymidine kinase. Inhibits viral DNA polymerase. Active against herpesviruses.
Side effects & warnings
Used for equine herpesvirus and some avian herpesviruses. Limited efficacy for FHV-1 in cats (famciclovir preferred). Nephrotoxicity with IV form — ensure hydration. Crystalluria.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cat may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Other Antiviral drugs with cat dosing
Acyclovir dosing in other species
Why a species-specific page? Acyclovir pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cat — 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.