{"id":60335,"date":"2023-09-13T13:23:50","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T17:23:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=60335"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:31:49","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:31:49","slug":"metronidazole-for-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/metronidazole-for-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you use metronidazole for cats?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Has your cat been having diarrhea for a while? As a pet owner, this can be a lot of trouble. When you’ve tried your best to control it without getting results, that’s when antibiotics become an integral component of pet care. Among the go-to treatments is using metronidazole for cats to treat gastrointestinal infections like diarrhea. <\/span><\/p>\n

Metronidazole<\/span><\/a> is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal sold under the brand name Flagyl and prescribed to humans and their pets. It treats bacterial infections caused by anaerobic bacteria (bacteria that thrive in the absence of oxygen), microaerophilic bacteria (bacteria that thrive in low-oxygen environments), and protozoa such as giardia. <\/span><\/p>\n

Since medications can work differently for animals and humans, you should learn how to use this antibiotic properly. When treating your cat’s gastro issues with metronidazole, here’s what to know about how it works, how to administer it to your pet, potential side effects, drug reactions, and when to avoid it.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is metronidazole used for in cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

In humans, metronidazole is <\/span>FDA-approved<\/span><\/a> for treating certain bacterial infections. It diffuses into the offending microorganism, disrupting cell growth and division and eventually causing cell death of the microorganism.<\/span> Although not FDA-approved for animals, metronidazole is used off-label in cats when prescribed in veterinary medicine. <\/span><\/p>\n

“Metronidazole is commonly prescribed for gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea, inflammation of the intestines, or certain types of infections caused by bacteria or parasites,” says Maria Baker, DVM, founder of <\/span>Pet-How<\/span><\/a>. She says metronidazole is a viable treatment option for a cat with no previous adverse reactions to the antimicrobial medication. <\/span><\/p>\n

Metronidazole treats <\/span>anaerobic bacterial infections<\/span><\/a> caused by normal bacteria living in their body. Usually, this bacteria is harmless but can cause infections after an injury or when deep tissues are exposed in open wounds. Symptoms of anaerobic infections include fever, loss of appetite, wounds taking much longer to heal, and oozing pus.<\/span><\/p>\n

The antibiotic also treats giardia infections. Giardia is a protozoal infection of the gastrointestinal tract that causes diarrhea and is spread between cats through ingestion of infected fecal material. A 2004 <\/span>study found<\/span><\/a> that administering 25 mg\/kg of metronidazole twice a day for seven days was effective and safe for stopping the shedding of giardia cysts in cats.<\/span><\/p>\n

Other <\/span>potential uses of metronidazole<\/span><\/a> in cats include treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), protozoal infections (parasites), periodontal disease (infections affecting teeth and gums), skin and soft tissue infections, and Helicobacter species infections (gastrointestinal infections caused by the bacteria <\/span>helicobacter pylori<\/span><\/i>). <\/span><\/p>\n

Metronidazole dosage for cats<\/span><\/h2>\n

Metronidazole comes in many forms, including tablets, capsules, liquid suspensions, and injectables. There’s also a powdered form known as <\/span>metronidazole benzoate<\/span><\/a>, which is less bitter than the original metronidazole and may be compounded with flavoring to be easier to administer to your cat.<\/span><\/p>\n

Veterinarians consider several factors when determining the appropriate metronidazole dosage for your cat, according to Sara Ochoa, DVM, a provider at <\/span>Animal Hospital of West Monroe<\/span><\/a> and co-founder of <\/span>howto-pets.com<\/span><\/a>. They look at weight, the specific condition, the individual cat’s health profile, its response to treatment, and the duration of therapy. <\/span><\/p>\n

The recommended dosage of metronidazole ranges from 10 to 30 mg per kg of body weight. It’s administered by mouth or intravenously every 12 hours. <\/span><\/p>\n

How to give metronidazole to your cat<\/span><\/h3>\n

Metronidazole must be taken with food to reduce the risk of side effects. Dr. Ochoa recommends the following methods for administering the medication to your cat:<\/span><\/p>\n