Cephalexin For Cats Dosage Calculator

The cephalexin for cats dosage calculator will help you find the most appropriate antibiotic dose for your cat, according to its weight and the recommended prescription.

To determine how much cephalexin you can give to your cat, type your pet's weight, the dosage base, and the drug type. Our calculator will then tell you the daily cephalexin dosage for your cat and how much of the medicine (tablets or liquid) you will need to achieve it.

Keep on reading to:

• Understand whether cephalexin is safe for cats;
• See a cephalexin for cats dosage chart;
• Find out whether you can give your cat cephalexin 500 mg;
• How to prevent a cephalexin cat overdose.

Cephalexin is an antibiotic that belongs to the cephalosporin class of antimicrobial agents. It is classified as a first-generation cephalosporin and is used to treat bacterial infections in animals, including cats and dogs. Veterinarians often prescribe it to treat skin, soft tissue, bone, and urinary tract infections caused by different types of bacteria.

Like penicillin, cephalexin is also classified as a beta-lactam antibiotic. This means that cephalexin, like penicillin, kills bacteria by interfering with cell wall formation. Cephalexin leads the bacteria to a quick death by weakening the cell wall and making it more susceptible to outside pressures. Cephalexin is primarily effective against gram-positive bacteria and some gram-negative bacteria.

First-generation cephalosporins, like cephalexin, are ineffective against Enterococcus spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus and, in the case of cephalexin specifically, E. coli. They also tend to be ineffective against anaerobic bacteria.

Cephalexin, sometimes sold under brand names such as Keflex® or Rilexene®, is available in various formulations, including capsules and oral suspension. So far, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration in the US) has only approved Rilexene® for dogs. However, cephalexin is safe for cats (when administered at the appropriate dose) and is widely used by most veterinarians.

To learn more about what cephalexin is for dogs, you can check out our cephalexin for dogs dosage calculator.

The amount of cephalexin you give to your cat will depend on your cat's weight and the condition being treated; usually, one single dose is no less than 15 mg/kg and no more than 35 mg/kg. Remember, however, that many other factors may contribute to this decision, and giving cephalexin to cats without a vet prescription is not advised; let's not risk a cephalexin cat overdose!

As mentioned above, the recommended cephalexin dosage will vary according to your cat's weight and condition. Below is a simple dosage chart of cephalexin for cats showing the most common dosages.

To determine the most suitable dose for your cat, down to the decimals, use our cephalexin for cats dosage calculator. Input your cat's weight, dosage base, and drug type, and see the calculator do its magic!

If you like this tool, then you should probably also take a look at our fish oil dosage calculator for cats and our metacam dosage calculator cat.

Using the cephalexin for cats dosage calculator couldn't be easier. All you have to do is:

1. Input your cat's weight; let's say it is 2 pounds (0.91 kg).

2. Input the dosage base recommended by your vet; let's assume it is 15 mg/kg.

3. Choose the preferred drug type; in this case, it will be liquid (125 mg/5 mL).

4. The calculator will automatically display the amount per dose (13.6 mg) and the daily dosage (27 mg) of cephalexin, as well as the amount of medicine per dose (0.5 mL) and per day (1 mL).

In case all you have is the amount per dose or the daily dosage, and you want to know whether that is ok for your cat:

1. Empty the dosage base field.

2. Input your cat's weight.

3. Input the amount per dose or the daily dosage.

4. The calculator will tell you what dosage base it is equivalent to. If the dosage is too low or too high, a warning message will appear.

Yes, cats can take cephalexin, but that doesn't mean this drug has no risks. Although cephalexin is considered to be relatively safe, cephalexin for cats has some side effects that you should be aware of:

• Vomiting: Cats may experience vomiting shortly after administration of cephalexin. While this usually does not indicate a severe issue, it suggests the cat may be sensitive to the drug. Giving the drug with some food may alleviate this side effect.

• Hypersensitivity reactions: Cats can experience allergic reactions to cephalexin, which may manifest as a rash, hives, scratching, facial swelling, or irregular breathing. If signs of an allergic reaction occur, immediate veterinary attention is necessary.

It has also been reported that cats may suffer from fever, diarrhea, decreased appetite, drooling and lethargy, and increased activity.

You shouldn't give cephalexin to your cat if:

• Your cat is allergic to beta-lactams antibiotics (e.g., penicillin or amoxicillin).

• Your cat has a renal dysfunction and/or is receiving other nephrotoxic drugs.

Furthermore, it has been reported that high doses or very prolonged use have been associated with neurotoxicity, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hepatitis, positive Coomb's test, interstitial nephritis, and tubular necrosis.

To prevent an overdose, make sure not to give cephalexin to your cat without a vet prescription! You can also check whether the prescribed dosage matches those recommended by the MSD Manual by using our cephalexin for cats dosage calculator.

Yes, human cephalexin is safe for cats. However, it's always advisable to opt for the drug formulations made explicitly for them. This ensures precise dosing without needing adjustments, safeguarding your cat from potential overdoses and ineffective treatments.

To learn more about calculating dosages in general, you should check out Omni's dosage calculator.

Now, if you want to know how your age compares to your cat's, our cat age calculator has the answer for you.