Ceftiofur Sodium
Also known as: Naxcel, Excenel, Accent
• **Administration:** This medication is given by injection. It is normal for your pet to experience mild, temporary stinging or pain at the injection site. • **Allergic Reactions:** While rare, allergic reactions can occur. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice facial swelling, hives, rash, or difficulty breathing. • **Gastrointestinal Upset:** Watch for signs of diarrhea. In horses, severe diarrhea can be a serious complication; stop the medication and contact your veterinarian if this occurs. • **Storage:** If you are sent home with reconstituted medication, keep it refrigerated and use it within 7 days. Discard any unused portion after this time or consult your vet about freezing it.
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
- Respiratory disease
- Respiratory disease
- UTI
- Systemic, soft tissue infections
- Sepsis, bacteremia
- Bovine respiratory disease, foot rot
- Respiratory infections (S. zooepidemicus)
- General susceptible infections
- Lyme disease
- General susceptible infections (Foals)
- Strangles
- Intrauterine infusion
- General susceptible infections (Foals)
- Control of early mortality (Day-Old Turkey Poults)
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Immediate and transient local pain on IM injection
- Discoloration at SC injection sites (may persist >5 days)
- Localized post-injection bacterial infections/abscesses (cattle)
- Hypersensitivity reactions (rashes, fever, eosinophilia, lymphadenopathy, anaphylaxis)
- Acute diarrhea (especially in stressed horses)
- Granulocytopenia
- Thrombocytopenia
Cautions & contraindications
- Patients with a history of hypersensitivity to cephalosporins
- Caution in patients with documented hypersensitivity to other beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillins, cefamycins, carbapenems)
- > **Regulatory Warning:** Strict adherence to withdrawal times is required for food-producing animals. Not to be used in horses intended for human consumption. * **Renal Impairment:** Patients in renal failure may require dosage adjustments due to decreased clearance. * **Cross-Reactivity:** Use with caution in patients allergic to penicillins due to potential cross-reactivity (estimated 1-15% in humans; unknown in veterinary species). * **Laboratory Interference:** May cause false-positive urine glucose (cupric sulfate methods), falsely elevated serum/urine creatinine (Jaffe reaction), false-positive direct Coombs' test, and falsely elevated 17-ketosteroid values in urine. * **GI Flora:** May alter bowel flora, potentially leading to severe diarrhea, particularly in stressed horses.
Drug interactions
- Aminoglycosides: Potential for additive nephrotoxicity; in vitro synergy exists, but drugs should not be mixed in the same syringe/fluid line.
- Nephrotoxic drugs (e.g., Amphotericin B): Potential for additive nephrotoxicity.
- Probenecid: Competitively blocks the tubular secretion of most cephalosporins, increasing serum levels and serum half-lives.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ceftiofur Sodium used for in pets?
• **Administration:** This medication is given by injection. It is normal for your pet to experience mild, temporary stinging or pain at the injection site. • **Allergic Reactions:** While rare, allergic reactions can occur. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice facial swelling, hives, rash, or difficulty breathing. • **Gastrointestinal Upset:** Watch for signs of diarrhea. In horses, severe diarrhea can be a serious complication; stop the medication and contact your veterinarian if this occurs. • **Storage:** If you are sent home with reconstituted medication, keep it refrigerated and use it within 7 days. Discard any unused portion after this time or consult your vet about freezing it.
Is Ceftiofur Sodium 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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