Health & Fitness

Albon Dosage for Cats Calculator

Calculate Albon (sulfadimethoxine) dosage for cats by weight for coccidiosis and other susceptible infections. An educational veterinary reference — always confirm treatment with your veterinarian.

🐾 Veterinary disclaimer: This calculator is an educational reference only. Albon is a prescription veterinary medication. Dosing, duration, and appropriateness of treatment must be determined by a licensed veterinarian. Never administer prescription medication to a pet without veterinary diagnosis and guidance.
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Albon dose for your cat
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Cat's weight (kg)—
Dose in mg—
Volume to give—
Dosing rate used—
FrequencyOnce daily
NoteVerify concentration on your product label. Confirm with your vet.

Albon and feline coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is one of the most common parasitic infections in kittens and young cats. Caused by single-celled protozoan parasites of the Coccidia group (primarily Cystoisospora felis and Cystoisospora rivolta in cats), it infects the intestinal lining and causes watery or bloody diarrhea, loss of appetite, dehydration, and in severe cases, death in very young kittens.

Many adult cats carry Coccidia oocysts without showing symptoms — their immune systems have learned to control the infection. Young kittens, particularly those under 4 months old in shelters or multi-cat homes, are most vulnerable because their immune systems are still developing.

Albon (sulfadimethoxine) works by interfering with folate synthesis in the Coccidia parasite, slowing its reproduction. This gives the cat's immune system time to mount an effective response. Treatment must be combined with thorough environmental decontamination — Coccidia oocysts are highly resistant to most common disinfectants (bleach at 1:32 dilution is one of the few effective options).

The loading dose on day 1 is doubled compared to maintenance doses to quickly achieve therapeutic drug levels in the gut. After day 1, the maintenance dose of 27.5 mg/kg is continued for the prescribed course length.

Reference: Merck Veterinary Manual — coccidiosis treatment in cats.

Dosing formula

Loading dose (Day 1): Dose (mg) = Weight (kg) × 55 mg/kg (= 25 mg/lb if using pounds) Maintenance dose (Days 2 onward): Dose (mg) = Weight (kg) × 27.5 mg/kg (= 12.5 mg/lb if using pounds) Volume calculation (50 mg/mL suspension): Volume (mL) = Dose (mg) ÷ 50 Typical course: 5–14 days (as directed by vet)

Example — 4 kg cat

DayDose (mg)Volume (50mg/mL)
Day 1 (loading)4 × 55 = 220 mg4.4 mL
Days 2–144 × 27.5 = 110 mg2.2 mL

Frequently asked questions

  • Albon (sulfadimethoxine) is a sulfonamide antibiotic used primarily in cats to treat coccidiosis — a parasitic intestinal infection caused by Coccidia protozoa (most commonly Isospora species in cats). It is also used for some bacterial infections susceptible to sulfonamides. Coccidiosis is particularly common in kittens and young cats in multi-cat environments, shelters, or catteries.
  • The standard Albon dosing protocol for cats is: 55 mg/kg (25 mg/lb) as a loading dose on day 1, followed by 27.5 mg/kg (12.5 mg/lb) once daily for days 2 through the end of the prescribed course (usually 5–21 days depending on severity). Most veterinarians prescribe a 5–14 day course for uncomplicated coccidiosis. Always follow your veterinarian's specific instructions.
  • Albon oral suspension is typically available at a concentration of 250 mg/5 mL (50 mg/mL). Using an accurate oral syringe (never a household teaspoon, which is imprecise), measure the volume that delivers the calculated dose in mg. For example, for a 5 kg cat on day 2 (27.5 mg/kg): dose = 137.5 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 2.75 mL. Use a 3 mL or 5 mL oral syringe for accuracy.
  • The course length depends on the severity of infection. Most uncomplicated coccidiosis cases in cats are treated for 5–14 days. Chronic or severe cases may require up to 21 days. Re-infection is common if the cat's environment is not cleaned — Coccidia oocysts are hardy and survive in the environment. Concurrent environmental decontamination is essential for successful treatment.
  • You should only give Albon (sulfadimethoxine) to a cat under veterinary supervision with a proper prescription. While sulfadimethoxine products formulated for animals are similar to human sulfonamide drugs, dose forms, concentrations, and safety testing may differ. Never give a cat medication that wasn't explicitly prescribed for that cat without veterinary guidance — even "animal" medications bought without prescription can cause serious harm at incorrect doses.
  • Possible side effects of Albon in cats include: loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. More serious but less common reactions include bone marrow suppression (affecting blood cell production), crystalluria (crystals in urine, especially in dehydrated cats), and allergic reactions. Ensure cats receiving Albon have access to plenty of fresh water to reduce the risk of urinary tract complications. Contact your vet if you notice any concerning changes.
  • Albon treats coccidiosis by slowing the reproduction of Coccidia parasites, giving the cat's immune system time to clear the infection. It is coccidiostatic (stops reproduction) rather than directly killing all oocysts. Healthy adult cats can often clear mild infections without treatment; treatment is most important for kittens, immunocompromised cats, or cats with significant clinical signs (bloody diarrhea, dehydration, weight loss). Environmental decontamination must accompany treatment to prevent re-infection.
  • Albon can be used in kittens under veterinary supervision, but they require careful monitoring. Kittens are more vulnerable to side effects because their kidneys and immune systems are still developing. The dehydration that often accompanies coccidiosis in kittens increases the risk of crystalluria (crystal formation in urine). Ensure kittens are well hydrated during treatment, and contact your vet immediately if a kitten stops eating or becomes lethargic while on Albon.