Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Valacyclovir is used in cats for DO NOT USE IN CATS. Routes documented in cats: PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Valacyclovir in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Valtrex
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | CONTRAINDICATED IN CATS | N/A | DO NOT USE IN CATS | Strong | Nasisse MP, Dorman DC, Jamison KC, Weigler BJ, Hawkins EC, Stevens JB. Effects of valacyclovir in cats infected with feline herpesvivus 1. Am J Vet Res. 1997;58:1141-1144. doi:10.2460/ajvr.1997.58.10.1141 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1316 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.1289, Valacyclovir monograph spanning p.1289-1290; 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 |
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Prodrug rapidly converted to acyclovir. Triphosphorylated form inhibits viral DNA polymerase and causes chain termination. Active against herpesviruses.
TOXIC TO CATS — causes acute hepatic necrosis and fatal bone marrow suppression. Dogs tolerate well. Ensure adequate hydration.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Valacyclovir dose range in cats, with cited source references: PO CONTRAINDICATED IN CATS N/A. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Valacyclovir in cats: PO.
Valacyclovir is indicated in cats for: DO NOT USE IN CATS.
These are general warnings for Valacyclovir across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. TOXIC TO CATS — causes acute hepatic necrosis and fatal bone marrow suppression. Dogs tolerate well. Ensure adequate hydration.
Why a species-specific page? Valacyclovir 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.