ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/secnidazole
US brand names:Flagentyl, Solosec
Secnidazole is dosed at 30 mg/kg PO Single dose in dogs, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
5-nitroimidazole prodrug reduced by anaerobic organisms to cytotoxic metabolites that damage DNA and inhibit nucleic acid synthesis.
Longer half-life than metronidazole allows single-dose protocols. Avoid in animals with known nitroimidazole hypersensitivity. Neurotoxicity at high doses.
Species references:All Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugs
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 30 mg/kg | Single dose | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 20–30 mg/kg | Single dose | Weak | Da Silva AS, Castro VSP, Tonin AA, Brendler A, Costa MM, Jaques JA, Bertoletti B, Zanette RA, Raiser AG, Mazzanti CM, Lopes STA, Montiero SG. (2011). Secnidazole for the treatment of giardiasis in naturally infected cats. Parasitol Int. 60, 429-432. doi:10.1016/j.parint.2011.06.024 — Verified against Riviere & Papich, Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 10th Ed, p.1159 (2026-08-01). |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.