What is Cefdinir used for?

Cefdinir is indicated for: Skin and soft tissue infection.

Which species have cited Cefdinir dosing data?

Cefdinir dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 2 species: Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic).

Is Cefdinir a controlled substance?

Cefdinir is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

What are the warnings or contraindications for Cefdinir?

May cause red-tinged stools (iron interaction, not blood). Reduce dose in renal insufficiency.

What are the side effects of Cefdinir?

Reported side effects, adverse reactions, and contraindications for Cefdinir: May cause red-tinged stools (iron interaction, not blood). Reduce dose in renal insufficiency.

How does Cefdinir work?

Binds PBPs disrupting cell wall synthesis. Broad-spectrum with enhanced gram-negative coverage.

Cefdinir

US brand names:Omnicef

Calculate dosage

Contraindicated in Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Chinchilla, Hamster, Degu

Rabbit: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in rabbitsOral amoxicillin (and other oral beta-lactams) selectively destroy gram-positive hindgut flora in rabbits, allowing Clostridium spiroforme overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never administer oral beta-lactams to rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route, but is not established as safe in rabbits.
Guinea Pig: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in guinea pigsOral amoxicillin reliably causes Clostridium difficile-mediated fatal enterotoxemia in guinea pigs. Same mechanism as in rabbits. Parenteral administration carries a lower risk than the oral route; parenteral ceftiofur specifically has been given to guinea pigs and chinchillas without adverse effect.
Chinchilla: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal dysbiosis in chinchillasChinchillas are hindgut fermenters with the same flora dependence as rabbits and guinea pigs. Oral penicillins and oral cephalosporins trigger Clostridium overgrowth and fatal enterotoxemia. Never give oral beta-lactams; parenteral routes and trimethoprim-sulfa, fluoroquinolones, or chloramphenicol are the safer choices.

Hamster: Oral beta-lactams cause fatal enterocolitis in hamstersHamsters are exquisitely susceptible to antibiotic-associated Clostridium difficile enterocolitis — the hamster is the classic laboratory model for it. Oral penicillins and cephalosporins are reliably fatal. Never administer oral beta-lactams.

Degu: Oral beta-lactams risk fatal dysbiosis in degusDegus are caviomorph hindgut fermenters closely related to chinchillas and guinea pigs. Degu-specific data is limited, so this warning is extrapolated from those related hystricomorphs — but the shared physiology makes oral beta-lactam enterotoxemia the expected outcome. Treat as contraindicated; use the safer alternatives.

Cefdinir is dosed at 10 mg/kg PO q12h in cats, per Verified against Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.149 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.149' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.121; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.121. — SOURCE EDITION: Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs — ISBN 9780323244855, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323244855. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Backed by a published source

· Verified against Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.149 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.149' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.121; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.121. — SOURCE EDITION: Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs — ISBN 9780323244855, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323244855

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 2 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Cat (Domestic)	PO	10 mg/kg	q12h	Weak	Verified against Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.149 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.149' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.121; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.121. — SOURCE EDITION: Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs — ISBN 9780323244855, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323244855
Dog (Domestic)	PO	5–10 mg/kg	q12-24h	Weak	Verified against Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.149 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.149' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.121; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.121. — SOURCE EDITION: Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs — ISBN 9780323244855,

Cefdinir

Drug Class

Routes

Indications

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Species with Cefdinir dosing data (2 dose rules)

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Backed by a published source

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

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Cefdinir

Drug Class

Routes

Indications

Mechanism of Action

Side effects & warnings

Species with Cefdinir dosing data (2 dose rules)

Evidence levels across 2 dose rules

Backed by a published source

Sample dosing (2 of 2 cited rules)

Upgrade for Full Details

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