Hair loss after Metronidazole in cats

21 reports to the FDA describe hair loss in cats given Metronidazole. That is 5.4% of all reports for this medicine, compared with 14% across reports for all cat medicines, so it is reported less often than average with this medicine.

21Reports

43%Marked serious

19%Recovered

14%Died or euthanised

3 daysTypical onset

How soon it started

Same day

3 15%

1–2 days

7 35%

3–7 days

4 20%

1–4 weeks

4 20%

Over a month

2 10%

How the animals did

Recovered

4 19%

Still unwell when reported

6 29%

Euthanised

3 14%

Not known

8 38%

Problems reported at the same time

Application site reaction

10 48%

7 33%

5 24%

4 19%

3 14%

3 14%

3 14%

Skin rash or irritation

3 14%

Age of the animals

Under 1 year

1–3 years

4–7 years

8–11 years

12+ years

About this medicine

Metronidazole treats some bacterial and parasitic gut infections.

Questions owners ask

Can Metronidazole cause hair loss in cats?: 21 reports link the two, but a report alone does not prove the medicine was the cause: other illnesses, other medicines or coincidence can be involved. Your vet can judge it for your animal.
How soon after a dose was it reported?: In half of the reports with dates, it started within 3 days of the first dose.
What should I do?: Don't give another dose until you've spoken to your vet, and keep the packaging so you can tell them the product and dose. Your vet can also report it to the FDA (or you can, through the manufacturer or FDA form 1932a).

Hair loss with similar medicines

Hair loss after Cefovecin (Convenia) 577 reports · 6.6% of its reports
Hair loss after Amoxicillin + Clavulanate (Clavamox) 96 reports · 4.0% of its reports
Hair loss after Enrofloxacin (Baytril) 58 reports · 3.7% of its reports

All reported side effects of Metronidazole in cats · Medicines most reported with hair loss