Marbofloxacin
Marbofloxacin treats susceptible bacterial infections; organisms and formulation determine the appropriate regimen.
Group
Veterinary fluoroquinolone antibacterial
Mechanism of Action
Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase, disrupting DNA replication.
Dose Rates
Dogs
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible bacterial infection | 2.75–5.5 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | |
| Pyoderma | 2 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | Separate lower-dose clinical regimen described in the reported guidance. |
| Pseudomonas otitis with deep involvement | 5.5 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | Up to 30 days; For susceptible infection with otitis media, ulceration or deep inflammatory disease; reevaluate if no improvement in 5 days. |
Cats
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible bacterial infection | 2.75–5.5 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | |
| Mycoplasma haemofelis infection | 2.75 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | Up to 14 days |
| Selected localized mycobacterial infection | 2 mg/kg | PO | Every 24 h | Not effective against Mycobacterium avium complex; organism identification and zoonotic assessment are required. |
Horses
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible gram-negative infection | 2 mg/kg | IV, PO | Every 24 h | Oral absorption is lower than in small animals; this regimen may not cover less susceptible gram-positive organisms. |
Cattle
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calf respiratory disease | 2 mg/kg | IV, SC, IM | Every 24 h | Up to 5 days; Calves; 3-5-day course. Use neck injection sites where applicable. |
| Calf respiratory disease | 8–10 mg/kg | IM | Once | Separate single-injection calf regimen. |
Pigs
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptible bacterial infection | 2 mg/kg | IM | Every 24 h | Up to 5 days; Inject in the neck for 3-5 days. |
Reptiles
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ball-python susceptible bacterial infection | 10 mg/kg | PO | Every 48 h | Ball pythons only; pharmacokinetic study with limited clinical safety/efficacy evidence. |
Indications
- Susceptible skin, soft-tissue, respiratory and urinary infections
- Selected feline haemoplasma infection
- Calf respiratory disease and swine infections
Contraindications
- Growing animals with cartilage-injury risk
- Use cautiously with seizure disorders.
Interactions
- Oral metal cations reduce absorption.
- Some fluoroquinolones can increase theophylline concentrations; veterinary interaction evidence is limited.
Adverse effects
- Vomiting, diarrhoea and central nervous system effects
- Juvenile articular cartilage injury
Toxicity
Stop treatment for serious neurologic or gastrointestinal reactions and provide supportive care.
Preparations
| Preparation | Form | Strength | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marbofloxacin 25 mg tablet | Tablet | 25 mg / tablet | PO |
| Marbofloxacin 50 mg tablet | Tablet | 50 mg / tablet | PO |
| Marbofloxacin 100 mg tablet | Tablet | 100 mg / tablet | PO |
| Marbofloxacin 200 mg tablet | Tablet | 200 mg / tablet | PO |
| Marbofloxacin 100 mg/mL injection | Injection | 100 mg / mL | IV, SC, IM |
| Forcyl marbofloxacin 160 mg/mL injection | Injection | 160 mg / mL | IV, IM |
| Marbomet 50 mg tablet | Tablet | 50 mg / tablet | PO |
Monitoring and Administration
Select treatment using susceptibility results when available.
Avoid mineral-containing admixtures. Give livestock injections in the neck when specified.
Guidance prohibits extralabel fluoroquinolone use in food animals in the United States; do not apply foreign withdrawal periods as universal local instructions.
Pig single-dose alternative: 8 mg/kg once. The route is not restated in that reported instruction; it is not assigned automatically.
For the described dog/cat oral label regimen, continue skin/soft-tissue treatment 2-3 days beyond clinical resolution and urinary infection treatment for at least 10 days, with maximum 30 days. Reevaluate diagnosis if no improvement after 5 days. These durations do not apply automatically to every infection.