Gatifloxacin
Gatifloxacin is used extralabel in veterinary ophthalmology for susceptible bacterial disease. Ophthalmic formulations do not establish a systemic veterinary regimen.
Group
Fluoroquinolone antibacterial
Mechanism of Action
Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV.
Dose Rates
Dogs
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacterial ocular infection | Reference only | TOPICAL | Sterile gatifloxacin eye drops; instillation quantity and frequency depend on the ocular diagnosis. No complete veterinary schedule was verified for this entry. |
Cats
| Use / stage | Dose | Route | Schedule | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bacterial ocular infection | Reference only | TOPICAL | Sterile gatifloxacin eye drops; instillation quantity and frequency depend on the ocular diagnosis. No complete veterinary schedule was verified for this entry. |
Indications
- Susceptible bacterial conjunctivitis or corneal infection
Contraindications
- Quinolone hypersensitivity
Adverse effects
- Local irritation
- Hypersensitivity
- Possible epithelial toxicity with intensive topical exposure
Toxicity
Discontinue if significant irritation or hypersensitivity develops. Ophthalmic drops must not be injected.
Preparations
| Preparation | Form | Strength | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gatifloxacin ophthalmic solution 0.5% Sterile ophthalmic solution, 5 mg/mL. Not for injection. | Other | 5 mg / mL | TOPICAL |
| Zymar gatifloxacin ophthalmic drops 0.3% Sterile ophthalmic solution, separate from the existing 0.5% formulation. | Other | 3 mg / mL | TOPICAL |
Monitoring and Administration
Use a sterile eye preparation. Obtain cytology and culture for severe, progressive or melting ulcers.
Select application frequency from lesion severity and ophthalmic reassessment; do not transfer a human conjunctivitis schedule automatically to a veterinary corneal ulcer.
Use for established susceptible ocular bacterial infection rather than routine prophylaxis. Resistance patterns vary; a fluoroquinolone does not guarantee activity against Pseudomonas. Reassess clinical response and culture serious lesions.
Topical ophthalmic administration is distinct from systemic enrofloxacin exposure; feline retinal-toxicity thresholds for the latter are not adopted as eye-drop limits.