Tilmicosin

Dose and dosage

Cattle

For susceptible infections (subcutaneous injection under the skin in the neck, or if not accessible, behind the shoulders and over the ribs is suggested).
a) For treatment of pneumonic pasteurellosis: 10 mg/kg SC every 72 hours (Shewen & Bateman 1993)
b) 10 mg/kg SC (not more than 15 mL per injection site. (Package insert; Micotil® 300—Elanco)

Sheep

For susceptible infections:
a) 10 mg/kg SC (not more than 15 mL per injection site). Subcutaneous injection under the skin in the neck, or if not accessible, behind the shoulders and over the ribs is suggested. Do not use in lambs less than  kg of body weight. (Package insert; Micotil® 300—Elanco)

Rabbit

a) Rabbits: Two regimens:
1) 25 mg/kg SC once; repeat in 3 days if necessary.
2) 5 mg/kg SC on day 0, if no reaction, give 10 mg/kg SC on days 7 and 14. Can cause weakness, pallor, tachypnea and sudden death.
May cause acute death if given IV. SC injections can cause local swelling and necrosis. (Ivey & Morrisey 2000)

Poultry

15-20 mg/kg body weight for 3 days.


Applications: Respiratory tract infection, Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD), Infectious coryza, Fowl Cholera, Mycoplasmosis

Like other macrolides, tilmicosin has activity primarily against gram-positive
bacteria, although some gram-negative bacteria are affected and the drug
reportedly has some activity against mycoplasma. Preliminary studies have
shown that 95% of studied isolates of Pasturella haemolytica are sensitive.

If administered IM, a local tissue reaction may occur resulting in trim loss.
Edema may be noted at the site of subcutaneous injection.

The cardiovascular system is apparently the target of toxicity in animals. In cattle, doses up to 50 mg/kg IM did not cause death, but SC doses of 150 mg/kg did cause fatalities, as well as IV doses of 5 mg/kg. Doses as low as 10 mg/kg in swine caused increased respiration, emesis and seizures; 20 mg/kg IM caused deaths in most animals tested. In monkeys, 10 mg/kg administered once caused no signs of toxicity, but 20 mg/kg caused vomiting; 30 mg/kg caused death.