Pradofloxacin (Veraflox) for Cats in 2025 🧫

Pradofloxacin, sold as Veraflox®, is a modern fluoroquinolone antibiotic specifically developed with feline safety in mind. It’s widely used for serious bacterial infections in cats—especially bite abscesses, dental infections, and respiratory diseases. I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, and here’s your 2025 guide to using pradofloxacin safely in cats 🐱💊

🔬 What Makes Pradofloxacin Different?

Unlike older quinolone antibiotics like enrofloxacin (Baytril), which are linked to vision loss in cats, pradofloxacin is safer for feline eyes and bone marrow. It’s also more effective against anaerobic bacteria—common in dental and wound infections.

📋 What It Treats

• 🧪 Bite wound abscesses
• 🦷 Dental infections
• 😮‍💨 Respiratory infections
• 🧬 Some urinary tract infections
• ⚠️ Used with caution or avoided in dogs due to bone marrow suppression risk

💊 How It’s Administered

• 🧴 Oral suspension (shake well before use)
• 📆 Usually given once daily
• 🍽️ Best absorbed on an empty stomach (but small amount of food may reduce nausea)
• 📦 Good for 60 days after opening

📌 Do not use dairy (cheese, yogurt) as a treat with pradofloxacin—calcium interferes with absorption.

⚠️ Side Effects

• 🤢 Vomiting, diarrhea, reduced appetite (most common)
• ⚠️ Bone marrow suppression if used longer than 7 days (rare)
• 👁️ No known vision issues, unlike older quinolones
• 🧠 May lower seizure threshold—avoid in cats with known seizure disorders

🚫 Do NOT Use If...

• ❌ Cat is under 12 weeks old
• ❌ Pregnant or lactating
• ❌ Cat is taking cyclosporine, theophylline, or magnesium-based antacids

🔄 Drug Interactions

• 🚫 Sucralfate, iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc—binds the drug and blocks absorption (separate by 2+ hours)
• ⚠️ Theophylline—dose may need to be lowered
• ⚠️ Cyclosporine—raises kidney risk
• ⚠️ Cimetidine—may interfere with drug metabolism

🩺 Veterinary Monitoring

• ✅ Not usually required for short-term use (3–7 days)
• 🧪 Consider CBC monitoring if using >7 days due to marrow risk
• ⚠️ Watch for weakness, bruising, or pale gums

📲 Ask a Vet If...

• 📞 Your cat vomits or stops eating
• 🧪 You're unsure about medication timing with other drugs
• 📆 A dose is missed—skip double dosing

Use the Ask A Vet app to speak with a licensed vet if your cat is on Veraflox and you need help with dosing, side effects, or supportive care 💬

✅ Summary

• ✔️ Pradofloxacin (Veraflox) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic safe for cats
• ✔️ Ideal for abscesses, dental disease, and respiratory infections
• ⚠️ Not for long-term use due to marrow concerns
• ⚠️ Avoid in pregnant/nursing cats and those < 12 weeks old
• ✔️ Minimal drug interactions if timed properly

With proper use, pradofloxacin helps cats recover quickly from tough infections—with fewer risks than older antibiotics 💛

— Dr Duncan Houston BVSc