Florfenicol
Also known as: NuFlor, Nuflor Gold, Resflor Gold, Aquaflor, Osurnia
### For Small Animal Owners (Dogs & Cats) * **Administration:** If giving this medication orally (using the liquid formulation off-label), it may taste bitter. Ensure your pet swallows the full dose. * **Side Effects:** Watch for gastrointestinal upset, particularly severe diarrhea or loss of appetite. Contact your veterinarian if these occur. * **Injections:** If your pet is receiving injections at the clinic, the injection site may be temporarily painful or sore. ### For Livestock Owners (Cattle & Swine) * **Strict Withdrawal Times:** * **Cattle:** 28 days post-injection for IM route; 38 days for SC route (44 days for Nuflor Gold). * **Swine:** 16 days (in drinking water). * **Restrictions:** Do NOT use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. Do NOT use in calves to be processed for veal. * **Injection Technique:** Administer injections *only* in the neck muscle to prevent carcass trim loss. Do not exceed the recommended volume per injection site.
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
- Susceptible systemic (bacterial or rickettsial) infections
- Swine respiratory disease
- Respiratory disease complex in kids
- Bovine respiratory disease (BRD)
- Bovine respiratory disease (BRD)
- Bovine respiratory disease (BRD)
- BRD and control of BRD-associated pyrexia
- Respiratory disease complex in kids
- Susceptible systemic (bacterial or rickettsial) infections
- Otitis externa (associated with Staphylococcus pseudintermedius and Malassezia pachydermatis)
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Cattle: Anorexia, decreased water consumption, diarrhea
- Cattle: Injection site reactions (may result in trim loss)
- Cattle: Anaphylaxis and collapse (rare)
- Small Animals: Pain on IM injection
- Small Animals: Gastrointestinal effects, including severe diarrhea
- Mild application site erythema
- Head shaking
- Transient hearing loss (rare)
- Altered hearing or deafness in older dogs (rare)
Cautions & contraindications
- Intravenous (IV) administration
- Veal calves or preruminating calves
- Cattle or swine of breeding age (effects on reproduction unknown)
- Female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older
- Tympanic membrane rupture (perforated eardrum)
- Hypersensitivity to florfenicol, terbinafine, or betamethasone
- Dogs with generalized demodicosis (due to corticosteroid component)
- > **Important Administration Warning:** Do NOT administer intravenously (IV). * **Injection Site:** In cattle, injections should be given *only* in the neck muscle to minimize trim loss and severe tissue reactions. * **Volume Limits:** Do not exceed 10 mL (or 15 mL for Nuflor Gold) per injection site in cattle. * **Residue Warnings:** Strict adherence to slaughter withdrawal times is legally required for food-producing animals. Do not use in female dairy cattle ≥20 months of age or in veal calves. * **Reproductive Safety:** Safety in breeding, pregnant, or lactating animals has not been established.
Drug interactions
- Penicillins: May antagonize the bactericidal activity of penicillins (theoretical, though often used together clinically).
- Aminoglycosides: May antagonize the bactericidal activity of aminoglycosides.
- Macrolides (e.g., erythromycin, tylosin): May potentially antagonize activity due to competition for binding at the 50S ribosomal subunit.
- Lincosamides (e.g., clindamycin, lincomycin): May potentially antagonize activity due to competition for binding at the 50S ribosomal subunit.
Frequently asked questions
What is Florfenicol used for in pets?
### For Small Animal Owners (Dogs & Cats) * **Administration:** If giving this medication orally (using the liquid formulation off-label), it may taste bitter. Ensure your pet swallows the full dose. * **Side Effects:** Watch for gastrointestinal upset, particularly severe diarrhea or loss of appetite. Contact your veterinarian if these occur. * **Injections:** If your pet is receiving injections at the clinic, the injection site may be temporarily painful or sore. ### For Livestock Owners (Cattle & Swine) * **Strict Withdrawal Times:** * **Cattle:** 28 days post-injection for IM route; 38 days for SC route (44 days for Nuflor Gold). * **Swine:** 16 days (in drinking water). * **Restrictions:** Do NOT use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older. Do NOT use in calves to be processed for veal. * **Injection Technique:** Administer injections *only* in the neck muscle to prevent carcass trim loss. Do not exceed the recommended volume per injection site.
Is Florfenicol 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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