Ciprofloxacin for Animals

By /

Ciprofloxacin

Ciprofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibacterial with activity against susceptible gram-negative bacteria and selected gram-positive organisms. It is a human medicinal product used extra-label in veterinary practice, principally in companion animals. Oral absorption in dogs and cats is variable, making its clinical exposure less predictable than that of several veterinary fluoroquinolones.

Group

Fluoroquinolone antibacterial

Mechanism of Action

Ciprofloxacin inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, enzymes required for DNA supercoiling, replication and separation of daughter chromosomes. Stabilization of enzyme–DNA cleavage complexes disrupts DNA processing and leads to bacterial death. Its activity is concentration dependent and can persist after concentrations decline. The spectrum includes susceptible Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with organism-specific resistance determining activity.

Dose Rates

Dogs

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Bacterial infections25 mg/kgPOEvery 24 h
Bacterial infections15 mg/kgIVEvery 24 hDilute and infuse over 30 minutes; watch for anaphylactoid reactions.
Alternative bacterial infection treatment5–15 mg/kgPOEvery 12 hHistorical regimen; variable oral absorption can cause inadequate exposure. Use susceptibility and clinical response rather than human breakpoints.
Urinary tract infection10 mg/kgPOEvery 24 hUp to 14 days; Historical course 7–14 days; confirm achievable exposure and susceptibility.
Skin or soft-tissue infection10–15 mg/kgPOEvery 24 hUp to 14 days
Bone or systemic bacterial infection20 mg/kgPOEvery 24 hUp to 14 days
Pyoderma11 mg/kgPOEvery 12 h

Cats

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Bacterial infections20 mg/kgPOEvery 24 h
Bacterial infections10 mg/kgIVEvery 24 hDilute and infuse over 30 minutes.
Susceptible gram-negative infection10 mg/kgPOEvery 12 hAlternative discussed in the pharmacokinetic section; low oral absorption limits reliability.
Alternative bacterial infection treatment5–15 mg/kgPOEvery 12 hHistorical regimen; variable oral absorption can cause inadequate exposure. Use susceptibility and clinical response rather than human breakpoints.

Ferrets

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Bacterial infections5–15 mg/kgPOEvery 12 h

Rabbits

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Bacterial infections5–20 mg/kgPOEvery 12 h
Pasteurellosis15–20 mg/kgPOEvery 12 hMild disease courses are at least 14 days in the cited regimen; chronic infection requires an individualized plan, sometimes much longer.

Chinchillas

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Bacterial infections7–20 mg/kgPOEvery 12 h

Gerbils

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Bacterial infections7–20 mg/kgPOEvery 12 h

Guinea pigs

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Bacterial infections7–20 mg/kgPOEvery 12 h

Hamsters

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Bacterial infections7–20 mg/kgPOEvery 12 h

Mice

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Bacterial infections7–20 mg/kgPOEvery 12 h

Rats

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Bacterial infections7–20 mg/kgPOEvery 12 h

Birds

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Gram-negative infection20–40 mg/kgPOEvery 12 hUsing crushed tablets; shake suspension thoroughly before each dose.
Alternative bacterial infection treatment10–15 mg/kgPOEvery 12 h

Ratites

Use / stageDoseRouteScheduleInstructions
Bacterial infections3–6 mg/kgPOEvery 12 h

Indications

  • Extra-label treatment of selected susceptible gram-negative urinary tract infections in dogs and cats.
  • Treatment of selected susceptible bacterial respiratory, skin and soft-tissue infections in companion animals when adequate exposure is achievable.
  • Treatment of selected Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections with demonstrated ciprofloxacin susceptibility.

Contraindications

  • Avoid use in growing animals because of cartilage injury risk.
  • Use cautiously with seizure disorders or renal impairment.
  • Not recommended in horses.
  • Do not use in food-producing animals where prohibited.

Interactions

  • Aluminum, calcium, iron and zinc reduce absorption or cause incompatibility.
  • May increase theophylline exposure.
  • Separate sucralfate, iron, zinc and multivalent-cation antacids by at least two hours from oral ciprofloxacin.
  • Warfarin effects or methotrexate exposure may increase; quinidine can increase cardiac risk.
  • Cyclosporine renal toxicity may increase; glyburide can cause marked hypoglycemia and phenytoin levels may change.
  • Nitrofurantoin can oppose fluoroquinolone activity; probenecid can increase ciprofloxacin exposure.

Adverse effects

  • Vomiting, nausea and diarrhea
  • CNS toxicity with excessive exposure
  • Arthropathy in immature animals
  • Anaphylactoid reactions and hypotension during IV infusion

Preparations

PreparationFormStrengthRoute
Ciprofloxacin 100 mg tabletTablet100 mg / tabletPO
Ciprofloxacin 250 mg tabletTablet250 mg / tabletPO
Ciprofloxacin 500 mg tabletTablet500 mg / tabletPO
Ciprofloxacin 750 mg tabletTablet750 mg / tabletPO
Ciprofloxacin 50 mg/mL oral liquidOral Liquid50 mg / mLPO
Ciprofloxacin 100 mg/mL oral liquidOral Liquid100 mg / mLPO
Ciprofloxacin 10 mg/mL injectionInjection10 mg / mLIV
Ciprofloxacin 2 mg/mL injectionInjection2 mg / mLIV

Monitoring and Administration

Culture and interpret susceptibility against achievable exposure rather than applying human thresholds automatically. Equine oral absorption is very poor.

Dilute concentrated injection to 1–2 mg/mL and infuse over 30 minutes; monitor for hypotension or arrhythmia. Do not co-infuse other medications.

Keep solutions away from multivalent cations. Aqueous 0.5–2 mg/mL preparations have described stability up to 14 days.

Maintain hydration because crystalluria can occur. Growing large or giant dogs may remain susceptible to cartilage injury beyond the age applicable to smaller breeds.

Do not substitute extended-release human tablets for immediate-release veterinary regimens without evidence for that preparation.

Related Posts
Scroll to Top