Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Levetiracetam is dosed at 20–30 mg/kg PO q8h in cats, per Carnes MB, Axlund TW, Boothe DM. Pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam after oral and intravenous administration of a single dose to clinically normal cats. Am J Vet Res. 2011;72:1247-1252. doi:10.2460/ajvr.72.9.1247 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.775 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.746, Levetiracetam monograph spanning p.746-748; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Levetiracetam is used in cats for Epilepsy. Routes documented in cats: PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Levetiracetam in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Keppra
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 20–30 mg/kg | q8h | Long-term | Epilepsy | Moderate | Carnes MB, Axlund TW, Boothe DM. Pharmacokinetics of levetiracetam after oral and intravenous administration of a single dose to clinically normal cats. Am J Vet Res. 2011;72:1247-1252. doi:10.2460/ajvr.72.9.1247 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.775 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.746, Levetiracetam monograph spanning p.746-748; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20–30 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.243 | aintenance therapy (as adjunct or sole anticonvulsant): 20-30 mg/kg p.o. q8-12h. • Pulse therapy for severe cluster seizures (in addition to maintena |
| 30 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.243 | cluster seizures (in addition to maintenance therapy): 30 mg/kg p.o. q6-8h for the duration of 228 BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th edition: Part A - |
| 60 | IV | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline)p.243 | 60 mg/kg i.v. bolus q8h or continuous intravenous infusion of 8 mg/kg/h, incrementally |
| 40 | PO | BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed — Part A (Canine and Feline) |
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Binds synaptic vesicle protein SV2A, modulating neurotransmitter release. Novel mechanism distinct from other anticonvulsants. Does not affect GABA or sodium channels at therapeutic doses.
Excellent safety profile. Minimal hepatic metabolism (renal excretion). No significant drug interactions. Sedation and ataxia initially (usually transient). Use extended-release if available (q12h instead of q8h). Safe in cats.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Levetiracetam dose range in cats, with cited source references: PO 20–30 mg/kg q8h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Levetiracetam in cats: PO.
Cited course lengths for Levetiracetam in cats include: Long-term. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Levetiracetam is indicated in cats for: Epilepsy.
These are general warnings for Levetiracetam across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Excellent safety profile. Minimal hepatic metabolism (renal excretion). No significant drug interactions. Sedation and ataxia initially (usually transient). Use extended-release if available (q12h instead of q8h). Safe in cats.
Why a species-specific page? Levetiracetam 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.
| ired. • The parenteral preparation can be given at 40 mg/kg per rectum, if oral or i.v. administration is not possible. |
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.