Spectinomycin
Also known as: Adspec, Spectam, Spectam Scour-Halt, Spectoguard Scour-Chek, LS 50, LincoSpectin
> **Important Note**: Spectinomycin is an antibiotic primarily used to treat specific bacterial infections in farm animals (like cattle, swine, and poultry), and occasionally for gastrointestinal infections in companion animals. * **Administration**: Follow your veterinarian's instructions exactly. If giving an oral liquid or mixing into drinking water, ensure the animal consumes the full intended dose. * **Side Effects**: This medication is generally very safe. If given by injection under the skin, you may notice mild swelling or soreness at the injection site. * **Completion of Therapy**: Always complete the entire prescribed course of the antibiotic, even if your animal appears fully recovered. Stopping early can lead to resistant bacterial infections.
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
- For acute infectious gastroenteritis
- For bronchopneumonia and fibrinous pneumonia
- For susceptible infections
- For bovine respiratory disease
- For susceptible infections
- For pneumonia
- For airsacculitis associated with M. meleagridis or chronic respiratory disease associated with E. coli in turkey poults (1-3 days old)
- For control and to lessen mortality due to infections from M. synoviae, S. typhimurium, S. infantis, and E. coli in newly hatched chicks
- For prevention and control of chronic respiratory disease associated with Mycoplasma gallisepticum in broilers
- For infectious synovitis associated with Mycoplasma synoviae in broilers
- For improved weight gain/feed efficiency in floor-raised broilers
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Neuromuscular blockade (reversible with parenteral calcium)
- Swelling or soreness at injection sites (especially SC in cattle)
- Transient ataxia (reported in turkey poults at high injected doses)
- Mild increases in BUN, ALP, and SGPT (reported in humans)
- Decreases in hemoglobin, hematocrit, and creatinine clearance (reported in humans)
Cautions & contraindications
- Patients with known hypersensitivity to spectinomycin
- > **Neuromuscular Blockade**: Like other aminocyclitols/aminoglycosides, spectinomycin can cause neuromuscular blockade, though it is generally safer. If this occurs, parenteral calcium administration will generally reverse the blockade. * **Pregnancy**: FDA Category B in humans (animal studies have not demonstrated fetal risk, but adequate human studies are lacking). Use with caution. * **Nursing**: It is unknown if spectinomycin is excreted in milk; use caution when administering to nursing patients. * **Tissue Irritation**: Subcutaneous administration in cattle may cause localized swelling at the injection site.
Drug interactions
- chloramphenicol: Antagonism has been reported when used concurrently.
- tetracycline: Antagonism has been reported when used concurrently.
Frequently asked questions
What is Spectinomycin used for in pets?
> **Important Note**: Spectinomycin is an antibiotic primarily used to treat specific bacterial infections in farm animals (like cattle, swine, and poultry), and occasionally for gastrointestinal infections in companion animals. * **Administration**: Follow your veterinarian's instructions exactly. If giving an oral liquid or mixing into drinking water, ensure the animal consumes the full intended dose. * **Side Effects**: This medication is generally very safe. If given by injection under the skin, you may notice mild swelling or soreness at the injection site. * **Completion of Therapy**: Always complete the entire prescribed course of the antibiotic, even if your animal appears fully recovered. Stopping early can lead to resistant bacterial infections.
Is Spectinomycin 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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