Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Silver Sulfadiazine is used in cats for Localized bacterial skin infection (particularly Pseudomonas spp); burns. Not for non-granulated wounds, Burn wounds, skin ulcers, Burns and wound infections. Routes documented in cats: TOPICAL, Topical. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 3 cited dose rules for Silver Sulfadiazine in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: SSD Cream, Silvadene
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOPICAL | SSD can impair granulation - avoid use in non-granulated wounds | q12-24h | Until healed | Localized bacterial skin infection (particularly Pseudomonas spp); burns. Not for non-granulated wounds | Strong | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1460 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (held), Silver Sulfadiazine, Topical monograph, printed p.1433-1434 (corpus PDF p.1460-1461), Suggested Dosages/Uses. The book's index reads "Silver Sulfadiazine, Topical, 1433"; the monograph has no running head of its own, so the running heads on those pages read "Nitrofurazone, Topical" and "Clotrimazole, Topical". [LOCATOR CORRECTED 2026-08-12 — the clause previously here named the Pyrimethamine/Sulfadiazine monograph, a horse-only oral EPM product.]; 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 — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (held), Silver Sulfadiazine, Topical monograph, printed p.1433-1434 (corpus PDF p.1460-1461), Precautions/Adverse Effects: "Because SSD can impair granulation, avoid use in non-granulated wounds." Corroborated: Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology, 7th ed, printed p.863, Table 21-6: "Topical antibiotic cream (such as silver sulfadiazine) is applied once granulation tissue forms and […]" Application wording: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed, Part A, printed p.376, DOSES: "Dogs, Cats: Localized skin infections: Apply a thin film twice daily after cleaning area with antiseptic." [INDICATION AND NOTES CORRECTED 2026-08-12 — the row previously directed application to open bite wounds, which the cited page tells you to avoid.] |
| TOPICAL | See the cited source for the printed regimen | q12-24h | Until wound healed | Burn wounds, skin ulcers | Strong | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1460 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (held), Silver Sulfadiazine, Topical monograph, printed p.1433-1434 (corpus PDF p.1460-1461), Suggested Dosages/Uses. The book's index reads "Silver Sulfadiazine, Topical, 1433"; the monograph has no running head of its own, so the running heads on those pages read "Nitrofurazone, Topical" and "Clotrimazole, Topical". [LOCATOR CORRECTED 2026-08-12 — the clause previously here named the Pyrimethamine/Sulfadiazine monograph, a horse-only oral EPM product.]; 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 |
| Topical | See the cited source for the printed regimen | q12-24h | Until wound healed | Burns and wound infections | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1460 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (held), Silver Sulfadiazine, Topical monograph, printed p.1433-1434 (corpus PDF p.1460-1461), Suggested Dosages/Uses. The book's index reads "Silver Sulfadiazine, Topical, 1433"; the monograph has no running head of its own, so the running heads on those pages read "Nitrofurazone, Topical" and "Clotrimazole, Topical". [LOCATOR CORRECTED 2026-08-12 — the clause previously here named the Pyrimethamine/Sulfadiazine monograph, a horse-only oral EPM product.]; 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 |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
Enter your cat's weight to check these cited ranges in the calculator — unit and concentration math done for you.
Silver ions disrupt bacterial cell wall and membrane. Sulfadiazine inhibits folate synthesis. Broad antimicrobial activity against bacteria and some fungi.
For external use on wounds and burns only. May cause transient leukopenia with extensive application. Avoid in sulfonamide-allergic animals. Not for ophthalmic use.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Silver Sulfadiazine dose ranges in cats, with cited source references: TOPICAL SSD can impair granulation - avoid use in non-granulated wounds q12-24h; TOPICAL See the cited source for the printed regimen q12-24h; Topical See the cited source for the printed regimen q12-24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Silver Sulfadiazine in cats: TOPICAL, Topical.
Cited course lengths for Silver Sulfadiazine in cats include: Until healed; Until wound healed. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Silver Sulfadiazine is indicated in cats for: Localized bacterial skin infection (particularly Pseudomonas spp); burns. Not for non-granulated wounds, Burn wounds, skin ulcers, Burns and wound infections.
These are general warnings for Silver Sulfadiazine across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. For external use on wounds and burns only. May cause transient leukopenia with extensive application. Avoid in sulfonamide-allergic animals. Not for ophthalmic use.
Why a species-specific page? Silver Sulfadiazine 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.