Metronidazole is a drug used in both human and veterinary medicine. Specifically, metronidazole for cats is often prescribed for digestive problems caused by bacteria or protozoa. However, it is not effective in all gastrointestinal diseases, therefore, to give our cat metronidazole, it must have been prescribed by the veterinarian after examining it and reaching a diagnosis.
We tell you everything you need to know about metronidazole for cats in this article on our site, where we detail its uses, possible effects secondary and much more.
What is metronidazole?
Metronidazole is a drug with antiparasitic and bactericidal effect, that is, it is capable of eliminating parasites and bacteria sensitive to this active principle. Specifically, it acts against protozoa such as giardia and anaerobic bacteria, which are those that develop in the absence of oxygen. See the article on Giardiais in cats for more details on this disease.
Metronidazole is rapidly absorbed even when taken orally. Within an hour an ideal concentration is reached. It is primarily metabolized in the liver and eventually excreted in the urine within 24 hours. It is marketed in different presentations, which allows us to choose the easiest to administer according to our cat and the one that achieves the most exact dosage according to its weight. Thus, we find metronidazole for cats in tablets, with a cross-shaped break line that allows them to be divided into 2-4 equal parts. We can also choose its presentation in syrup, suspension or injectable. In the latter case, it will be administered directly by the veterinarian. It is usually reserved for the most severe cats that even require hospitalization.
What is metronidazole for cats for?
Metronidazole is mainly used to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, such as those caused by giardia, Trichomonas or Clostridium. It can also be given against bacterial infections of the urinary system, mouth, throat, or skin, provided, of course, that the bacteria present are sensitive to metronidazole. The ideal way to check this is to perform a culture to find out exactly which bacteria is causing the infection. In addition, it can be part of the treatment against inflammatory bowel disease, along with other drugs.
At this point it is important to insist on which pathogens metronidazole is effective against. That is, for example, we cannot give it for any digestive problem, since it will only act in specific cases. Hence the importance of the diagnosis and treatment being decided by the veterinarian. Nor does it make sense to use it as a regular dewormer, since it will not work against more frequent parasites in cats, such as worms. To give metronidazole, the veterinarian must have found giardia in the feces or, at least, suspect that the cat is infested with them.
Metronidazole can be given to kittens, which are also, along with adults with a weakened immune system, the ones most likely to suffer from this type of parasitosis.
Dosage of metronidazole for cats
Dose of metronidazole for cats must be prescribed by the veterinarian For example, to eliminate giardia cysts, 25 mg per kg of cat weight orally, twice a day for one week, or 50 mg if the dose is given in a single dose. It should not be given for less than five days.
Instead, the syrup is offered at a rate of 1 ml per kg of weight, twice a day and between 7-10 days. As always, the veterinarian may decide to modify the administration schedule depending on the circumstances and the evolution of the cat. It is very important to weigh it in order to adjust the dose to the maximum. Otherwise, the drug may not work as well as it should. In the same way, it is essential that, once the duration of the treatment has been established, we follow it to the end, even if the cat improves sooner. Removing it early can mean a relapse, in addition to favoring bacterial resistance.
Contraindications of metronidazole for cats
Metronidazole cannot be given to cats with liver or kidney problems or to those that have previously shown an allergic reaction to this medicine. In addition, its use is not recommended in cats that are in the gestation period, since the studies carried out to date have been contradictory. On the other hand, since metronidazole has been shown to be excreted in breast milk, its use in lactating cats is also not recommended.
On the other hand, if you are giving your cat any other medication and the veterinarian does not know it, you should tell him, as there could be an interaction with metronidazole.
Metronidazole Side Effects in Cats
In a small percentage of cases, after giving metronidazole to the cat some adverse reactions may appear such as vomiting, liver and neurological disorders, such as incoordination, or a decrease in the number of neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell. If you notice any of these symptoms or any other, you should notify your veterinarian.
Neurological problems are more likely to occur when treatment is prolonged or the dose is higher than recommended. In this case, it is necessary to go immediately to the veterinarian, who will have to interrupt the treatment and prescribe other drugs for the symptoms that the cat shows.
