Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Ketoconazole is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg PO q12-24h in cats, per Pentlarge VW, Martin RA. Treatment of cryptococcosis in three cats, using ketoconazole. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1986;188(5):536-538. doi:10.2460/javma.1986.188.05.536 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.755 (2026-08-01).. Ketoconazole is used in cats for Dermatophytosis, Dermatophytosis / Malassezia dermatitis. Routes documented in cats: PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Ketoconazole in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Nizoral
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12-24h | 4-8 weeks | Dermatophytosis | Moderate | Pentlarge VW, Martin RA. Treatment of cryptococcosis in three cats, using ketoconazole. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1986;188(5):536-538. doi:10.2460/javma.1986.188.05.536 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.755 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 5–10 mg/kg | q12-24h | 4-8 weeks | Dermatophytosis / Malassezia dermatitis | Moderate | Medleau L, Greene CE, Rakich PM. Evaluation of ketoconazole and itraconazole for treatment of disseminated cryptococcosis in cats. Am J Vet Res. 1990;51(9):1454-1458. doi:10.2460/ajvr.1990.51.09.1454 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.755 (2026-08-01). |
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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.
Inhibits lanosterol 14-alpha-demethylase (CYP51), blocking ergosterol synthesis in fungal membranes. At high doses, inhibits adrenal and gonadal steroidogenesis.
Hepatotoxic — monitor liver enzymes. Strong CYP inhibitor (many drug interactions). Requires gastric acid for absorption (do not give with antacids). Also used for Cushing's disease (adrenal steroidogenesis inhibition).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ketoconazole dose ranges in cats, with cited source references: PO 5–10 mg/kg q12-24h; PO 5–10 mg/kg q12-24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ketoconazole in cats: PO.
Cited course lengths for Ketoconazole in cats include: 4-8 weeks. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Ketoconazole is indicated in cats for: Dermatophytosis, Dermatophytosis / Malassezia dermatitis.
These are general warnings for Ketoconazole across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Hepatotoxic — monitor liver enzymes. Strong CYP inhibitor (many drug interactions). Requires gastric acid for absorption (do not give with antacids). Also used for Cushing's disease (adrenal steroidogenesis inhibition).
Why a species-specific page? Ketoconazole 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.