# Pradofloxacin: veterinary dose and monograph

> Pradofloxacin is a veterinary antibiotic. Third-generation veterinary fluoroquinolone (Veraflox) with enhanced activity against Gram-positives and anaerobes compared with earlier fluoroquinolones, plus a wide feline safety margin for the retina — making it a preferred… Indications include 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). This monograph lists 5 reference doses for dogs, cats and birds, each with route, frequency and source.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/pradofloxacin · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## 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

*Pradofloxacin doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Susceptible infection (where licensed) | 3–5 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |

- 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

*Pradofloxacin doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Skin / soft-tissue / wound infection | 5–7.5 mg/kg | PO | q24h | 7+ days |
| Bartonellosis | 5–10 mg/kg | PO | q12–24h (once daily preferred) | 28–42 days |
| Mycoplasma haemofelis | 5–10 mg/kg | PO | q24h | 14 days |

- 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

*Pradofloxacin doses for birds*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Staphylococcus / Streptococcus infections | 15 mg/kg | PO | q24h | — |

- 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

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

> **Caution:** 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

> **Caution:** 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](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/oxytetracycline)
- [Penicillin G](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/penicillin-g)
- [Pirlimycin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/pirlimycin)
- [Polymyxin B](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/polymyxin-b)
- [Procaine Penicillin G](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/procaine-penicillin)
- [Rifampin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/rifampin)
- [Rifaximin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/rifaximin)
- [Silver Sulfadiazine](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/silver-sulfadiazine)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Pradofloxacin for dogs?

Reference doses for Pradofloxacin in dogs: 3–5 mg/kg PO q24h (Susceptible infection (where licensed)). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Pradofloxacin for cats?

Reference doses for Pradofloxacin in cats: 5–7.5 mg/kg PO q24h for 7+ days (Skin / soft-tissue / wound infection); 5–10 mg/kg PO q12–24h (once daily preferred) for 28–42 days (Bartonellosis); 5–10 mg/kg PO q24h for 14 days (Mycoplasma haemofelis). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Pradofloxacin for birds?

Reference doses for Pradofloxacin in birds: 15 mg/kg PO q24h (Staphylococcus / Streptococcus infections). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Pradofloxacin not be used?

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.

### What are the side effects of Pradofloxacin in animals?

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).

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition
- Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition

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VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.