Is metronidazole in mom cat's milk safe for nursing kittens?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Anna M., DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on March 14th, 2020

  Metronidazole is excreted in milk and so is not labeled for use in nursing animals. It is an antibiotic and can disrupt the bacterial flora of the GI tract.
  
  However, we're always having to balance pros and cons in our therapies. It's not great for the kittens to get metronidazole via their mother's milk....but it's more important that they get nutrition than it is to avoid the metronidazole.
  
  I would pose this question to your vet, who knows more of the specifics of how the mother is doing and how necessary it is to keep her on the metronidazole. If her diarrhea was mild, then I'd wean her off the metro as soon as possible to minimize her kittens' exposure. If her condition was more serious, then her need for the metro is higher priority. Her kittens will most likely be just fine, but we avoid going off-label when possible.
  
  In short, no need to panic, but worth talking to your vet about the fact that these kittens seem to need to nurse from mom, and decide the best option from there.
  
  Hope this helps!

  

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