Enrofloxacin

What it is used for

• Susceptible infections
• Hemoplasmosis
• Susceptible infections
• Susceptible infections
• Susceptible infections
• Susceptible infections
• Susceptible infections in alpacas (Camelids)
• Susceptible infections
• Susceptible respiratory infections
• Susceptible infections (using compounded gel)
• Empirical treatment in stable, immunocompetent Psittacines
• Debilitated immunocompetent Psittacines
• Debilitated, immunocompromised Psittacines

How it is given

Possible side effects

• Gastrointestinal distress (vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea)
• CNS stimulation (seizures, depression, lethargy, nervousness, ataxia)
• Cartilage abnormalities in young, growing animals
• Ocular toxicity/blindness in cats (at doses >5 mg/kg/day)
• Crystalluria (especially in dehydrated patients)
• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Elevated hepatic enzymes
• Tissue damage or pain at injection site (especially SC)
• Irreversible retinal blindness (cats)
• Cartilage abnormalities (growing dogs)
• Gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia)
• CNS toxicity / seizures (especially at high doses or with NSAIDs)

Cautions & contraindications

• Small and medium breed dogs 2 to 8 months of age (risk of cartilage damage)
• Large and giant breed dogs during their rapid-growth phase (may extend past 8 months)
• Patients hypersensitive to quinolones
• Foals (highly susceptible to arthropathic effects)
• Food-producing animals (extra-label use is strictly prohibited by the FDA)
• Dairy cattle or veal calves
• Growing dogs (<1 year of age; large-breed dogs <18 months of age)
• Cats <8 weeks of age
• Animals with known seizure disorders (relative contraindication)
• Use with caution in patients with **seizure disorders** due to potential CNS stimulation. Ensure patients remain well-hydrated to prevent **crystalluria**. Patients with **severe renal or hepatic impairment** may require dosage adjustments to prevent drug accumulation. **Intravenous Administration Risks**: Rapid or undiluted IV administration in dogs increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, hypotension, vomiting, and mast cell degranulation. Do not mix injectable enrofloxacin with any IV solution containing magnesium (e.g., Normosol-R, Plasmalyte) as micro-precipitants can lodge in the lungs, causing morbidity or mortality. **Feline Precautions**: Doses exceeding 5 mg/kg/day in cats are associated with severe ocular toxicity, including irreversible retinal degeneration and blindness.

Drug interactions

• Antacids / Dairy Products (Mg++, Al+++, Ca++): Cations bind to enrofloxacin and prevent its absorption; separate doses by at least 2 hours.
• Other Antibiotics (aminoglycosides, 3rd-gen cephalosporins, extended-spectrum penicillins): Synergism may occur, though unpredictable against some bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
• Cyclosporine: May exacerbate nephrotoxicity and reduce the metabolism of systemic cyclosporine.
• Flunixin: Increases the AUC and elimination half-life of both enrofloxacin and flunixin in dogs.
• Glyburide: Severe hypoglycemia is possible.
• Iron, Zinc (oral): Decreased enrofloxacin absorption; separate doses by at least 2 hours.
• Methotrexate: Increased methotrexate levels possible, resulting in toxicity.
• Nitrofurantoin: May antagonize the antimicrobial activity of fluoroquinolones; concomitant use is not recommended.
• Phenytoin: May alter phenytoin blood levels.
• Probenecid: Blocks tubular secretion of ciprofloxacin (active metabolite), increasing its blood level and half-life.

Frequently asked questions