Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Metronidazole is dosed at 10–15 mg/kg IV q12h in cats, per Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.902 (2026-08-01).. Metronidazole is used in cats for Severe anaerobic infections, peritonitis, Anaerobic infections, Giardia, IBD, Inflammatory bowel disease. Routes documented in cats: IV, PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 3 cited dose rules for Metronidazole in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Flagyl
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 10–15 mg/kg | q12h | Until oral feasible | Severe anaerobic infections, peritonitis | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.902 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 10–25 mg/kg | q12-24h | 5-7 days for Giardia; 14+ days for IBD | Anaerobic infections, Giardia, IBD | Strong | Gruffydd-Jones T, Addie D, Belak S, et al. Giardiasis in cats: ABCD guidelines on prevention and management. J Feline Med Surg. 2013;15(7):650-652. PMID: 23813834 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.902 (2026-08-01). |
| PO | 10–15 mg/kg | q12h | 21-28 days trial | Inflammatory bowel disease | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.902 (2026-08-01). |
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Disrupts DNA structure in anaerobic organisms via reduction of nitro group, forming cytotoxic intermediates.
Neurotoxicity at high doses or prolonged use (ataxia, seizures). Avoid in pregnant animals. Hepatotoxic at high doses.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Metronidazole dose ranges in cats, with cited source references: IV 10–15 mg/kg q12h; PO 10–25 mg/kg q12-24h; PO 10–15 mg/kg q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Metronidazole in cats: IV, PO.
Cited course lengths for Metronidazole in cats include: Until oral feasible; 5-7 days for Giardia; 14+ days for IBD; 21-28 days trial. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Metronidazole is indicated in cats for: Severe anaerobic infections, peritonitis, Anaerobic infections, Giardia, IBD, Inflammatory bowel disease.
These are general warnings for Metronidazole across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Neurotoxicity at high doses or prolonged use (ataxia, seizures). Avoid in pregnant animals. Hepatotoxic at high doses.
Why a species-specific page? Metronidazole 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.