Ceftiofur Sodium

Dose and dosage

Cattle

IM or SC injection at 1.1 to 2.2 mg/kg of body weight.
Treatment should be repeated at 24-hour intervals for a total of three consecutive days. Additional treatments may be given on days four and five for animals which do not show a satisfactory response (not recovered) after the initial three treatments.

Horse

4.4 mg/kg q24h IM or 2.2 mg/kg q12h IM for as long as 10 days. Treatment of
some gram-negative infections may require doses at the higher range, and up to 11 mg/kg/day IM has been given to horses.

Dog

UTI: 2.2 mg/kg SC once daily for 5–14 days

systemic/soft tissue infections: 2.2 mg/kg q12h or 4.4 mg/kg q24h SC for 5–14 days.

Sepsis, bacteremia: 4.4 mg/kg q12h SC for 2–5 days

Cat

UTI: 2.2 mg/kg SC once daily for 5–14 days

systemic/soft tissue infections: 2.2 mg/kg q12h or 4.4 mg/kg q24h SC for 5–14 days.

Sepsis, bacteremia: 4.4 mg/kg q12h SC for 2–5 days

Goat

IM or SC injection at 1.1 to 2.2 mg/kg of body
weight (1–2 mL reconstituted sterile solution per 100 lbs body weight).
Treatment should be repeated at 24-hour intervals for a total of three
consecutive days. Additional treatments may be given on days four and
five for animals which do not show a satisfactory response (not
recovered) after the initial three treatments.

When used in lactating does, the high end of the dosage is recommended.

Sheep

IM or SC injection at 1.1 to 2.2 mg/kg of body
weight (1–2 mL reconstituted sterile solution per 100 lbs body weight).
Treatment should be repeated at 24-hour intervals for a total of three
consecutive days. Additional treatments may be given on days four and
five for animals which do not show a satisfactory response (not
recovered) after the initial three treatments.

Swine

Respiratory infections: 3–5 mg/kg (1.36–2.27 mg/lb) q24h for 3 days IM.


In cattle for treatment of bovine respiratory disease (shipping fever, pneumonia) associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and Histophilus somni. It is also indicated for treatment of acute bovine interdigital necrobacillosis (foot rot, pododermatitis) associated with Fusobacterium necrophorum and Bacteroides melaninogenicus. In swine for treatment/control of swine bacterial respiratory disease (swine bacterial pneumonia) associated with Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) pleuropneumoniae, Pasteurella multocida, Salmonella choleraesuis and
Streptococcus suis. In sheep/goats for treatment of sheep/caprine respiratory disease (sheep/goat pneumonia) associated with Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida. 

In horses for treatment of respiratory infections in horses associated with Streptococcus zooepidemicus. 

In dogs for the treatment of canine urinary tract infections associated with E. coli and Proteus mirabilis.
In day old chicks/poults for the control of early mortality, associated with E. coli organisms susceptible to ceftiofur.

Ceftiofur is a 3rd generation cephalosporin antibiotic active against a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and like other cephalosporins inhibits bacteria cell wall synthesis, is usually bactericidal and is a timedependent antibiotic.
Ceftiofur is rapidly cleaved into furoic acid and desfuroylceftiofur, which is active. Desfuroylceftiofur inhibits cell wall synthesis (at stage three) of susceptible multiplying bacteria and exhibits a spectrum of activity similar to that of cefotaxime. It has a broad range of in vitro activity against a variety of pathogens, including many species of Pasturella, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, and E. coli.

Adverse effects with the cephalosporins are usually not serious and have a relatively low frequency of occurrence. The use of ceftiofur may result in some signs of immediate and transient local pain to the animal. Following subcutaneous administration of ceftiofur sodium in the neck, small areas of discoloration at the site may persist beyond five days, potentially resulting in trim loss of edible tissues at slaughter. Localized post-injection bacterial infections may result in abscess formation in cattle. Attention to hygienic procedures can minimize their occurrence.

Cephalosporin overdoses are unlikely to cause significant problems other than
GI distress, but other effects are possible

Cephalosporins have been shown to cross the placenta and safe use of them during pregnancy have not been firmly established, but neither have there been any documented teratogenic problems associated with these drugs. However, use only when the potential benefits outweigh the risks.

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