Cefadroxil
Cefadroxil is an orally administered first-generation cephalosporin. Its clinical spectrum emphasizes susceptible gram-positive organisms, especially staphylococci and streptococci, together with a more limited range of gram-negative urinary pathogens. In dogs and cats, it has been used principally for infections of the skin, soft tissues and urinary tract.
Group
First-generation cephalosporin
Mechanism of Action
Cefadroxil binds penicillin-binding proteins involved in bacterial peptidoglycan assembly and inhibits transpeptidation, preventing normal cell-wall cross-linking. The weakened wall loses structural integrity during bacterial growth, resulting in bactericidal activity. Its effect depends on maintaining drug concentrations above the organism’s minimum inhibitory concentration. The spectrum includes susceptible staphylococci, streptococci and selected Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Proteus isolates.
Dose Rates
Dogs
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacterial infections | 22 mg/kg | PO | Every 12 h | |
| Higher-dose bacterial infection treatment | 30 mg/kg | PO | Every 12 h | |
| Pyoderma | 22–35 mg/kg | PO | Every 12 h | Up to 30 days; Course 3–30 days depending on response and infection depth. |
| Systemic or orthopedic infection | 22 mg/kg | PO | Every 8–12 h | Up to 30 days |
| Susceptible gram-positive infection | 10 mg/kg | PO | Every 12 h | |
| Susceptible gram-negative infection | 30 mg/kg | PO | Every 8 h | |
| Urinary tract infection | 11–22 mg/kg | PO | Every 12 h | Up to 30 days; Historical course 7–30 days; choose duration for the actual infection site. |
| Urinary tract infection | 10–20 mg/kg | PO | Every 8 h | Historical site-specific duration: acute cystitis 7–10 days, chronic cystitis up to four weeks, pyelonephritis 4–8 weeks. Do not use these durations as a universal requirement. |
| Urinary tract infection | 30 mg/kg | PO | Every 8 h | |
| Deep or superficial pyoderma | 22–33 mg/kg | PO | Every 8–12 h | |
| Infectious otitis | 22 mg/kg | PO | Every 12 h |
Cats
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacterial infections | 22 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | |
| Pyoderma | 22–35 mg/kg | PO | Every 12 h | Up to 30 days; Course 3–30 days depending on response and infection depth. |
| Systemic or orthopedic infection | 22 mg/kg | PO | Every 8–12 h | Up to 30 days |
| Susceptible gram-positive infection | 10 mg/kg | PO | Every 12 h | |
| Susceptible gram-negative infection | 30 mg/kg | PO | Every 8 h | |
| Urinary tract infection | 22 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | Up to 21 days |
| Bacterial infections | 22 mg/kg | PO | Every 12 h |
Horses
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacterial infections | 30 mg/kg | PO | Every 12 h | Foals only. Absorption applies to foals, not adult horses or ruminants. |
Ferrets
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacterial infections | 15–20 mg/kg | PO | Every 12 h |
Indications
- Bacterial skin infections, including susceptible staphylococcal pyoderma, in dogs and cats.
- Wounds, abscesses and other soft-tissue infections caused by susceptible organisms in dogs and cats.
- Susceptible bacterial infections of the urinary tract in dogs and cats.
Contraindications
- Cephalosporin hypersensitivity; assess prior severe beta-lactam allergy.
Interactions
- Avoid mixing with other drugs in the same vial or syringe unless compatibility is established.
Adverse effects
- Hypersensitivity
- Gastrointestinal upset
- Injection-site reactions with parenteral products
- Vomiting can occur after oral treatment in dogs.
- Oral treatment may cause diarrhea in adult horses.
Preparations
| Preparation | Form | Strength | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cefadroxil 50 mg tablet | Tablet | 50 mg / tablet | PO |
| Cefadroxil 100 mg tablet | Tablet | 100 mg / tablet | PO |
| Cefadroxil 200 mg tablet | Tablet | 200 mg / tablet | PO |
| Cefadroxil 1000 mg tablet | Tablet | 1000 mg / tablet | PO |
| Cefadroxil 25 mg/mL oral liquid | Oral Liquid | 25 mg / mL | PO |
| Cefadroxil 50 mg/mL oral liquid | Oral Liquid | 50 mg / mL | PO |
| Cefadroxil 100 mg/mL oral liquid | Oral Liquid | 100 mg / mL | PO |
| Cefadroxil 500 mg capsule | Capsule | 500 mg / capsule | PO |
Monitoring and Administration
Choose treatment using organism identity, infection site and susceptibility testing. Reassess clinical response and renal function where impaired clearance may increase exposure.
Food-animal authorization and withdrawal periods depend on the exact formulation, species, regimen and jurisdiction; do not transfer foreign approvals or residue intervals to another product.
Oral suspension stability described is 14 days refrigerated or 10 days at room temperature. Avoid moisture.
Cephalexin can serve as a susceptibility marker for cefadroxil; distinguish skin infection interpretation from lower urinary tract interpretation.
For the described canine product regimen, treat skin/soft-tissue disease at least three days and urinary disease at least seven days; continue at least 48 hours after clinical recovery, up to 30 days. Lack of response by day three requires reassessment. These are historical regimen qualifications, not universal modern duration rules.
Do not rely on oral absorption for septic shock or another grave systemic illness; use a suitable parenteral agent.