Ceftiofur Crystalline Free Acid
Also known as: Excede
### For Horse Owners: - **Watch for Diarrhea:** If your horse develops loose stools or diarrhea after receiving this medication, contact your veterinarian immediately and do not administer the second dose. - **Injection Site Swelling:** Mild swelling or soreness at the injection site can occur. Monitor the area and report any severe or draining lesions. - **Prolonged Action:** This drug is designed to stay in the system for a long time (over two weeks). Because of this, if adverse reactions occur, they may require prolonged veterinary care. ### For Livestock Producers: - **Withdrawal Times:** Strictly adhere to slaughter withdrawal times (13 days for cattle, 14 days for swine) to prevent illegal drug residues in meat. - **Milk Discard:** There is a zero-day milk discard time for lactating dairy cattle *only* when used exactly according to label directions at the base of the ear. - **Injection Technique:** Proper injection technique and location are critical for safety and to avoid carcass trim loss.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- BRD treatment (Beef and lactating cattle)
- BRD treatment (Beef and non-lactating dairy cattle)
- BRD control (Beef and non-lactating dairy cattle)
- Lower respiratory tract infections caused by susceptible strains of Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus
- Swine respiratory disease (SRD)
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Hypersensitivity reactions (rashes, fever, eosinophilia, anaphylaxis)
- Granulocytopenia and thrombocytopenia (rare)
- Diarrhea, soft or loose stools (especially in horses)
- Injection site reactions: swelling, thickening, aseptic cellular infiltrate, discoloration
- Sudden death in cattle if injected into ear arteries
Cautions & contraindications
- Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to cephalosporins
- Use with caution in patients with documented hypersensitivity to other beta-lactams (penicillins, carbapenems)
- Do not use in pre-ruminating calves to be processed for veal
- > **CRITICAL WARNING:** Administration of ceftiofur free acid into the ear arteries is likely to result in sudden death in cattle. - **Human Safety:** Avoid direct contact with skin, eyes, mouth, and clothing. Wear latex gloves to prevent sensitization. Persons with known penicillin/cephalosporin hypersensitivity should avoid exposure. - **Residue Warnings:** Strictly observe slaughter withdrawal times (13 days for cattle, 14 days for swine). Extra-label use or exceeding maximum injection volumes per site may result in violative residues. - **Equine Precautions:** If acute diarrhea is observed, do not administer additional doses and initiate appropriate therapy. Not evaluated in horses <4 months of age, or breeding, pregnant, or lactating horses. Due to prolonged clearance (~17 days to eliminate 97%), adverse reactions may require prolonged care.
Drug interactions
- Aminoglycosides / Nephrotoxic drugs: Potential additive nephrotoxicity. Do not mix in the same syringe or IV line.
- Probenecid: Competitively blocks the tubular secretion of most cephalosporins, thereby increasing serum levels and serum half-lives.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ceftiofur Crystalline Free Acid used for in pets?
### For Horse Owners: - **Watch for Diarrhea:** If your horse develops loose stools or diarrhea after receiving this medication, contact your veterinarian immediately and do not administer the second dose. - **Injection Site Swelling:** Mild swelling or soreness at the injection site can occur. Monitor the area and report any severe or draining lesions. - **Prolonged Action:** This drug is designed to stay in the system for a long time (over two weeks). Because of this, if adverse reactions occur, they may require prolonged veterinary care. ### For Livestock Producers: - **Withdrawal Times:** Strictly adhere to slaughter withdrawal times (13 days for cattle, 14 days for swine) to prevent illegal drug residues in meat. - **Milk Discard:** There is a zero-day milk discard time for lactating dairy cattle *only* when used exactly according to label directions at the base of the ear. - **Injection Technique:** Proper injection technique and location are critical for safety and to avoid carcass trim loss.
Is Ceftiofur Crystalline Free Acid safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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