Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My cat has a mouth or throat infection. Is metronidazole effective?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Male | 15 lbs

Is metronidazole a medicine to give cats with an infection in the mouth and throat

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on July 17th, 2017

Typically Metronidazole is good for GI infections and sometimes urinate infections. I typically go with Clindamycin for oral infections and Doxycyline for respiratory infections. However your vet can do a bacterial culture to verify what antibiotic will be effective against Avery's bacterial infection. Best wishes and take care.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Karly Macon, DVM, MS, CVA Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Veterinarian
Metronidazole is an antibiotic that I use frequently in cats, but usually those with gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea. I am not sure what you mean by mouth and throat infection. if your cat has severe dental disease it may need to have a dental procedure and radiographs under anesthesia, as well as antibiotics, but metronidazole would not be my first choice for an antibiotic in that situation. And I do not know what "throat infection" means--without an endoscope there is no way to see into a cat's esophagus or trachea, so I'm not sure how one would know that this was going on without extensive diagnostics. It would be great to have more information, like has your cat had a complete oral exam done, has it had bloodwork and radiographs, does it have concurrent diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms?
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

Iguana mouth rot & breathing: Is metronidazole the right antibiotic?

Thanks for reaching out about Thicket and including photos. Metronidazole is a fairly good broad spectrum antibiotic with some anti-parasitic (flagellates) activity. But no antibiotics treats everything and if the clinical signs are not improving, adding a second antibiotics might be helpful. Monitor environmental temperatures and humidity. Keeping nutritional intact high will also help. Good luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Is metronidazole effective for my dog's urinary tract infection?

Metronidazole would not be the first choice antibiotic for urinary tract issues and would generally be used after a culture and sensitivity test has detected it would be the most effective option. It is occasionally used to treat recurrent infections where resistant bacteria are suspected. There are many more effective options available but remember antibiotics should only be used where a bacterial infection is diagnosed (by urine test) - there are many other causes of urinary tract issues such as stones, crystals and inflammation which do not need and will not respond to antibiotics but where treatment will encourage the development of antibiotic resistance which may make future treatment more difficult

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Food & Nutrition

My cat has gingivitis, and vets gave conflicting advice. What's best?

From this picture the level of plaque does not justify the gingivitis, as there is not much plaque on Mimi's teeth. So it could be that the nature of gingivitis is viral, or it could be just immuno-mediated. Further testing is required to understand if the cause is a virus. If these test are not available, then symptomatical treatment is advisable. Flagyl is an antibiotics that we commonly use for gastro-intestinal bacteria so perhaps I would consider a different antibiotic with a broader spectrum.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My cat has diarrhea, vet prescribed metronidazole. Is it right?

Without seeing Z in person, I can't say what is the best course of treatment for him. I'd trust your vet's decision, but if you do have questions, you can always take him into another vet for a second opinion.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My pet's diarrhea got worse on Metronidazole. Should I stop?

It could be that the diarrhea worsening is independent of the metronidazole as this drug does not help all cases of diarrhea, dependent on the cause. But since it is new it would be best to stop until you can speak with your vet. Has your kitty had a work up for these symptoms? Chronic vomiting and diarrhea are common symptoms of several things, but most notably GI disease. It would be abnormal for a cat to need chronic medication for vomiting unless there is a disease process there. Just to help a little, a work up for an older kitty with these signs could include bloodwork with thyroid testing, an abdominal ultrasound, and sampling if needed (dependent on ultrasound). If there is an underlying disease that can be treated your kitty may feel better and need less medications eventually. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

How to give my cat a pill easily? Can I crush metronidazole?

Yes we do. I would definitely use either pill pockets (from your local pet store) or a pill gun (can be purchased from the pet store as well- check your local listings or your vet). You can try to mix it with some tuna. Metronidazole is ok to grind up if needed. Best of luck!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My kitten has URI. Is clindamycin effective or are there better meds?

This is not the antibiotic of choice for URI in cats, the most suitable antibiotics for this condition at this are are Zhitromax and Veraflox. doxycycline should never be given to a kitten this young and clavamox is usually much less effective for URI in cats.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share