Azithromycin for Cat
Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Azithromycin is used in cat for URI, Bartonella, Mycobacteria, Cryptosporidiosis, Feline upper respiratory infection. Routes documented in cat: PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 3 cited dose rules for Azithromycin in cat, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Trade names: Zithromax
Dose ranges
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q24-48h | 5-7 days or pulse dosing | URI, Bartonella, Mycobacteria | Strong | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 5–15 mg/kg | q24h | 7-21 days | Cryptosporidiosis | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q24-48h | 5-10 days | Feline upper respiratory infection | Strong | 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
Binds to 50S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Concentrates in tissues with long half-life.
Side effects & warnings
CONTRAINDICATED orally in rabbits and guinea pigs (fatal dysbiosis). May cause GI upset. Long tissue half-life means prolonged effect after discontinuation.
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 Antibiotic drugs with cat dosing
Azithromycin dosing in other species
Why a species-specific page? Azithromycin 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.