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Pet Health Articles

Cats + Medications & Supplements

  • Iodide (sodium, potassium) is an oral antifungal used to treat certain fungal infections (e.g., sporotrichosis) in cats and dogs. It is used off label (extra label) in veterinary medicine outside of use in cattle. Use with caution in cats.

  • Irrigating solutions, ophthalmic, are ocular irritants used to flush debris and remove excess fluorescein stain from the eyes in cats, dogs, and other animals. These solutions may also be used to flush the nasolacrimal ducts and during eye surgery.

  • Isoflupredone combinations topical are combination medications containing isoflupredone (a corticosteroid) and other medications. Isoflupredone may be compounded with an antibiotic, a local anesthetic, or other medications to treat surface skin conditions where use of a steroid combination product is indicated.

  • Isoniazid (INH) is an antimycobacterial that has been used to prevent infection of mycobacterial disease in small animals in households with humans who have been diagnosed with tuberculosis. It has also been used as part of a combination protocol to treat mycobacterial disease in cats and dogs. Treating active infections is controversial due to zoonotic transmission potential - consult with local public health officials before treating.

  • Isopropyl myristate topical (brand name Resultix®) is a topical, non-insecticidal product containing an ester alcohol (isopropyl) and an acid (myristate). It is used for the removal and killing of attached, crawling ticks on cats and dogs. Sprays are applied topically, directly to the skin at the site of tick attachment.

  • Itraconazole is given by mouth in the form of a capsule, tablet, or liquid to treat fungal infections in cats and for off-label treatment in dogs and small mammals. The most common side effects are anorexia, vomiting, liver toxicity, skin lesions, or limb and vessel swelling. It should not be used in pets with liver disease or low stomach acid production, and used with caution in pregnant, lactating, or pets with heart disease.

  • Ivermectin is most used as a heartworm preventive in dogs and cats. It is also used off label for treating a variety of internal and external parasites. Ivermectin may be combined with other deworming medications. Ivermectin is available as tablets, chewable tablets, a topical liquid (for ear mite treatments), and an injectable that your veterinarian will administer.

  • Kaolin + pectin (brand names: Kaopectolin®, Kao-Pec®, KaoPect®, Kao-Pront®, Kaogel®) is a gastrointestinal protectant that is used to treat diarrhea and certain toxicities in cats, dogs, horses, birds, ferrets and other small mammals.

  • Ketamine (brand name Ketaset®) is an NMDA-receptor antagonist used to facilitate restraint/immobilization and to induce anesthesia for surgical procedures in cats, dogs, rabbits, rodents, birds, reptiles, and other animals. It may also be used for adjunctive pain control for post-surgical or chronic pain. It is labeled for use as a restraint and anesthetic agent in cats – all other uses are off label (extra label). Ketamine comes in an injectable form and is a controlled substance.

  • Ketoconazole is an antifungal given by mouth in the form of a tablet, used off label to treat fungal infections in dogs, cats, small mammals, and reptiles. The most common side effects are vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, and weight loss. Do not use in pets that are allergic to it and use extreme caution when using in cats or pregnant pets.