Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Vancomycin is dosed at 12–15 mg/kg IV q8h in cats, per DeStefano IM, Wayne AS, Rozanski EA, Babyak JM. Parenterally administered vancomycin in 29 dogs and 7 cats (2003-2017). J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(1):200-207. doi:10.1111/jvim.15357 — Verified against Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.863 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.863' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.835; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.835. — SOURCE EDITION: Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs — ISBN 9780323244855, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323244855. Vancomycin is used in cats for MRSA infections. Routes documented in cats: IV. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Vancomycin in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Vancocin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IV | 12–15 mg/kg | q8h | 7-14 days | MRSA infections | Weak | DeStefano IM, Wayne AS, Rozanski EA, Babyak JM. Parenterally administered vancomycin in 29 dogs and 7 cats (2003-2017). J Vet Intern Med. 2019;33(1):200-207. doi:10.1111/jvim.15357 — Verified against Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.863 (2026-08-01). — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.863' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.835; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.835. — SOURCE EDITION: Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs — ISBN 9780323244855, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323244855 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12–15 | IV | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.863 | • 12-15 mg/kg q8h IV infusion |
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.
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Binds D-Ala-D-Ala terminus of peptidoglycan precursors, inhibiting cell wall synthesis. Bactericidal against most gram-positive organisms including MRSA.
Reserve for MRSA/resistant infections. Nephrotoxic and ototoxic — monitor trough levels. Red man syndrome with rapid IV infusion. Oral form not absorbed (used for C. difficile colitis).
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Vancomycin dose range in cats, with cited source references: IV 12–15 mg/kg q8h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Vancomycin in cats: IV.
Cited course lengths for Vancomycin in cats include: 7-14 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Vancomycin is indicated in cats for: MRSA infections.
These are general warnings for Vancomycin across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Reserve for MRSA/resistant infections. Nephrotoxic and ototoxic — monitor trough levels. Red man syndrome with rapid IV infusion. Oral form not absorbed (used for C. difficile colitis).
Why a species-specific page? Vancomycin 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.