Lincomycin

Antibiotic

View Brand Names (1)

Dose and dosage

Dog

For susceptible infections:
a) For skin and soft tissue infections: 15.4 mg/kg PO q8h or 22 mg/kg PO q12h. Treatment for superficial pyoderma 21–42 days; for deep, resistant pyoderma 56 days;
For systemic infections: 22 mg/kg IM, SC, or IV (must be diluted and given as a slow drip infusion) q24h or 11 mg/kg IM or SC q12h for 12 days or less.
For bacteremia, sepsis: 11–22 mg/kg IV q8h for 12 days or less. (Greene et al. 2006)
b) For pyoderma: 40–50 mg/kg/day PO divided into two or three doses per day. (Carlotti 2008)
c) For superficial pyodermas: 20 mg/kg PO q12h (White 2007)
d) For pyoderma: 22 mg/kg PO twice daily; good for first time pyodermas. (Logas 2005)
Cat

For susceptible infections:
a) For skin and soft tissue infections: 11 mg/kg IM q12h or 22 mg/kg IM q24h. Treatment for 12 days or less;
For systemic infections: 15 mg/kg PO q8h or 22 mg/kg PO q12h. Treatment for 12 days or less. (Greene et al. 2006)
Ferrets

For susceptible infections:
a) 10–15 mg/kg PO three times daily; 10 mg/kg IM twice daily (Williams 2000)
Swine

For susceptible infections:
a) For mycoplasmal (M. hyopneumoniae) pneumonia: Fed at 200 grams per ton of feed for 21 days or 11 mg/kg IM once daily (Amass 1999)
b) 11 mg/kg IM once daily for 3–7 days; or added to drinking water at a rate of 250 mg/gallon (average of 8.36 mg/kg/day)
Cattle

• Septic arthritis, mastitis, and abscesses: 5 mg/kg q24h IM for 5–7 days.
• Refractory infections: 10 mg/kg q12h IM.
Sheep

• Septic arthritis: 5 mg/kg q24h for 3–5 days IM.
Goat

• Septic arthritis: 5 mg/kg q24h for 3–5 days IM.
Poultry / Birds

25-50 mg/kg PO q12h

Applications:
  • Air Sacculitis
  • CCRD
  • CRD
  • Necrotic Enteritis
  • Non Specific Enteritis
  • Infectious Synovitis
  • Dermatitis
Indication Notes:

Actions of lincomycin and clindamycin are similar enough that clindamycin can be substituted for lincomycin for most indications.

Avoid In:

N/A

Contraindication Notes:

N/A

Lincomycin is a lincosamide antibiotic. There are only two antibiotics in this group
used in veterinary medicine, lincomycin and clindamycin. Lincomycin is similar in
mechanism to clindamycin. The mechanism of action is also similar to macrolides,
such as erythromycin, and there may be cross-resistance among these drugs.
The site of action is the 50S ribosomal subunit. By inhibiting this ribosome, it decreases protein synthesis. In most bacteria, it is bacteriostatic. Lincomycin has a narrow spectrum of action. The spectrum includes primarily gram-positive bacteria (Streptococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp.) and includes Erysipelothrix spp., Leptospira spp., and atypical bacteria such as Mycoplasma spp. Gram-negative bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa are inherently resistant.

The following drug interactions have either been reported or are theoretical in
humans or animals receiving lincomycin and may be of significance in
veterinary patients:
CYCLOSPORINE: Lincomycin may reduce levels
ERYTHROMYCIN: In vitro antagonism when used with lincomycin; concomitant use should probably be avoided
KAOLIN: Kaolin (found in several over-the-counter antidiarrheal preparations) has been shown to reduce the absorption of lincomycin by up to 90% if both are given concurrently; if both drugs are necessary, separate doses by at least 2 hours
NEUROMUSCULAR BLOCKING AGENTS (e.g., pancuronium): Lincomycin possesses intrinsic neuromuscular blocking activity and should be used cautiously with other neuromuscular blocking agents

Adverse effects are uncommon in dogs, cats, and pigs. Lincomycin has caused
vomiting and diarrhea in animals. Severe and even fatal enteritis can be caused by
PO administration to ruminants, horses, and small rodents.

Do not administer orally to rodents, horses, ruminants, or rabbits. PO administration to ruminants and horses can cause severe enteritis.