Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Clarithromycin is dosed at 7.5 mg/kg PO q12h in cats, per Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.305 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.278, Clarithromycin monograph spanning p.276-278; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Clarithromycin is used in cats for Feline leprosy syndrome / opportunist mycobacteria — COMBINATION therapy only (with pradofloxacin 3 mg/kg PO q24h plus rifampin or clofazimine); 2-14 month course. Routes documented in cats: PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Clarithromycin in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Biaxin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 7.5 mg/kg | q12h | 14-28 days | Feline leprosy syndrome / opportunist mycobacteria — COMBINATION therapy only (with pradofloxacin 3 mg/kg PO q24h plus rifampin or clofazimine); 2-14 month course | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.305 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.278, Clarithromycin monograph spanning p.276-278; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5–10 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.106 | 5-10 mg/kg i.v. infusion, p.o. q12h or 62.5 mg/cat p.o. These doses are empirical and are based |
| 7.5 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.194 | • 7.5 mg/kg q12h PO. |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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Binds 50S ribosomal subunit inhibiting protein synthesis. Enhanced tissue penetration and intracellular activity compared to erythromycin.
GI upset common. Hepatotoxicity reported. Drug interactions via CYP3A4 inhibition. Bitter taste may reduce compliance.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Clarithromycin dose range in cats, with cited source references: PO 7.5 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Clarithromycin in cats: PO.
Cited course lengths for Clarithromycin in cats include: 14-28 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Clarithromycin is indicated in cats for: Feline leprosy syndrome / opportunist mycobacteria — COMBINATION therapy only (with pradofloxacin 3 mg/kg PO q24h plus rifampin or clofazimine); 2-14 month course.
These are general warnings for Clarithromycin across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. GI upset common. Hepatotoxicity reported. Drug interactions via CYP3A4 inhibition. Bitter taste may reduce compliance.
Why a species-specific page? Clarithromycin 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.