Pradofloxacin: veterinary dose and monograph

At a glance

Drug class

Antibiotic

Also known as

Veraflox

Species with doses

Dogs, Cats and Birds

General dose range

3–7.5 mg/kg PO q24h — check the species tables for the indication

Routes

PO

Last reviewed

1 October 2026

Indications

• Feline skin/soft-tissue infections and wounds/abscesses (Pasteurella, Staph)
• Feline upper respiratory tract infection complications
• Canine pyoderma, UTI, soft-tissue and periodontal infections (where licensed)
• Susceptible Gram-negative and some anaerobic infections

Pradofloxacin dose by species

Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them.

Dogs

• Susceptible infection (where licensed): Papich 5e: 3–5 mg/kg q24h PO. Plumb’s 10e p.1050 (extra-label in the US): wounds, superficial and deep pyoderma, acute UTI and adjunct to periodontal therapy — 3–4.5 mg/kg PO once daily, the upper end often preferable; duration by response. Avoid in growing dogs (cartilage) and in dogs with seizure disorders.

Cats

• Skin / soft-tissue / wound infection: Papich 5e: oral suspension 5–7.5 mg/kg q24h PO; tablets 3–5 mg/kg q24h. Plumb’s 10e p.1050 (label dosage; FDA-approved): skin infections (wounds, abscesses) 7.5 mg/kg PO once daily for 7 consecutive days; re-evaluate if no improvement in 3–4 days. Upper-respiratory infection (extra-label): suspension 5–7.5 mg/kg or tablets 3–4.5 mg/kg PO once daily, usually 5 days. Better feline retinal safety than enrofloxacin at label doses.
• Bartonellosis: Plumb’s 10e p.1050 (extra-label): 5–10 mg/kg PO once or twice daily for 28–42 days; larger once-daily doses are preferred. Often combined with a second class (e.g. doxycycline started 5–7 days earlier) — starting both together has caused a Jarisch-Herxheimer-like reaction.
• Mycoplasma haemofelis: Plumb’s 10e p.1050 (extra-label): 5–10 mg/kg PO once daily for 14 days.

Birds

• Staphylococcus / Streptococcus infections: Plumb’s 10e p.1050 (extra-label): 15 mg/kg PO every 24 hours. Papich 5e gives no bird dose.

Contraindications

Growing dogs (arthropathy — and dose-dependent bone-marrow effects have limited canine tablet approval in some regions). Known fluoroquinolone hypersensitivity / history of fluoroquinolone-associated seizures. Use cautiously in epileptics. Pregnancy where alternatives exist.

Species-specific warnings

Cats: Preferred feline fluoroquinolone due to wide retinal safety margin — but still use susceptibility-guided to protect the class.

Dogs: Avoid in growing dogs (arthropathy) and respect dose limits (dose-dependent bone-marrow effects at high multiples).

Adverse effects

• GI upset (vomiting, soft stool)
• Cartilage effects in growing animals
• CNS excitation/seizures (rare, epileptics)
• Dose-dependent bone-marrow suppression in dogs at high multiples (basis of canine dosing limits)

Drug interactions

• Di-/tri-valent cations (antacids, sucralfate, dairy, iron/calcium): chelation reduces absorption — separate dosing
• Theophylline: reduced clearance, toxicity risk (less than older fluoroquinolones)
• NSAIDs: possible additive CNS excitation
• Drugs lowering seizure threshold: caution in epileptics

Pregnancy and lactation

Avoid in pregnancy where alternatives exist — fluoroquinolone arthropathy risk to the fetus.

Monitoring

• Culture & sensitivity (stewardship) and clinical response
• CBC in dogs on prolonged/high dosing
• CNS signs in epileptics
• Avoid in growing animals (joints)

Toxicity and overdose

Wide feline margin including for the retina (unlike enrofloxacin/ciprofloxacin which can blind cats). In dogs, dose-dependent bone-marrow effects at high multiples define the conservative canine dosing. Cartilage toxicity in juveniles is a class effect.

Management: No specific antidote. Decontaminate if recent large ingestion; supportive care, IV fluids; control seizures with benzodiazepines. Monitor CBC in dogs after significant overdose. Effects generally resolve with the drug's clearance.

Clinical pearls

• The fluoroquinolone of choice in CATS — broad activity with a wide retinal safety margin (unlike enrofloxacin/ciprofloxacin which can cause feline blindness)
• Once-daily dosing and good Gram-positive/anaerobe cover broaden its usefulness
• Dual-target action (gyrase + topoisomerase IV) may slow resistance — still reserve it via culture
• Separate from antacids/sucralfate/dairy by ≥2 h to preserve absorption
• Mind the species-specific canine dosing limits (bone-marrow effects at high multiples)

Mechanism of action

Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase AND topoisomerase IV with relatively balanced dual targeting, blocking DNA replication — concentration-dependent bactericidal killing with a post-antibiotic effect. The dual high-affinity targeting broadens activity (including anaerobes and Gram-positives) and may slow stepwise resistance compared with single-target fluoroquinolones.

Formulations and products

• Oral suspension 25 mg/mL (2.5 %) — cats
• 15 / 60 / 120 mg flavoured tablet — dogs
• Veraflox (Elanco (Bayer)) — 25 mg/mL oral suspension (cats); 15/60/120 mg tablets (dogs), Oral suspension / tablet

Storage

Suspension: 15–30 °C, shake well, use within the labelled period after opening. Tablets: 15–30 °C, dry, protect from light.

Before you use this dose

Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision.

Other antibiotics

• Oxytetracycline
• Penicillin G
• Pirlimycin
• Polymyxin B
• Procaine Penicillin G
• Rifampin
• Rifaximin
• Silver Sulfadiazine

Frequently asked questions