Page 1359 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

68. Drug therapy in cats

A comprehensive list of recommended dosing regimens

Dawn Merton Boothe

The following index represents a compilation of doses Of the drugs listed, 5% are approved for use in the cat
recommended for the treatment or prevention of dis- in the United States. More specific information regard-
eases in the cat. The information has been retrieved ing the use of these drugs, or drugs approved for use in
from multiple sources, including but not limited to: the dog but not the cat, may be obtained through
Boothe’s Formulary, published by the American Veterinary Pharmaceuticals and Biologicals, the
Animal Hospital Association (2nd printing 1997); Veterinarian’s PDR, published by Veterinary Medicine
Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy XIII (John D. Publishing Group, a subsidiary of Medical Economics
Bonagura (ed), published by WB Saunders Company, Company, Inc, Oradell, New Jersey, USA. The remain-
Philadelphia, USA), and the Veterinary Drug ing drugs are approved for use in humans; further
Handbook (Donald C Plumb, published by PharmaVet information regarding these drugs can be obtained from
Publishing, White Bear Lake, MN). the Physician’s Desk Reference (PDR), published by
Medical Economics. Comparable European resources
Inclusion of a drug in the index should not be inter-
are available for use.
preted as an indication of safety of the drug. Most
drugs are likely to be associated with adverse effects The source of the dosing regimen recommended in
if used in excess. It is assumed that the reader is famil- the index varies with the drug. If an original source
iar with significant adverse effects, which may occur which referenced use of the drug in cats could not be
with drugs that are commonly used, regardless of the found in the literature, the dose was obtained from
species. Many of the drugs tend to be uniquely asso- either personal communication (noted as such), the
ciated with adverse effects in cats and the reader manufacturer’s drug packaging or from the above
should refer to the text regarding the use of these identified sources. In instances when recommended
drugs. Several drugs which have been effectively and dosing regimens for a drug varied with the source,
safely used in the cat no doubt are missing from the either a range or several doses were listed for the drug
table. Exclusion of a particular drug from the table in the index. Doses which varied with the therapeutic
may reflect a contraindication for the use of the drug intent of a drug were also listed as either a range or
in cats (e.g., acetaminophen). Also not addressed in as separate subheadings for each intent. Dosing regi-
the accompanying dosing index are drug interactions. mens for anticancer drugs have not been well estab-
Again, the reader is strongly encouraged to review the lished in the cat and vary with each author. Although
risks associated with drugs when administered simul- a dosing regimen is offered for most anticancer drugs
taneously in a patient. in the index, the reader is encouraged to refer to

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