Enrofloxacin injections 25 mg/ml for dogs and cats (pet antibiotic)

How effective are Enrofloxacin injections 25 mg/ml used for dogs and cats?

Enrofloxacin injections for pets

Enrofloxacin for pets is used to treat bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, urinary tract, skin and wounds. It belongs to the fluoroquinolone group and can be used when other types of antibiotics have not provided an adequate response.

The injectable formulation delivers the prescribed dose without requiring the animal to swallow a tablet.

How the medicine destroys bacteria

Enrofloxacin blocks two bacterial enzymes, DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. These enzymes help bacteria copy and manage their DNA. When their activity is disrupted, bacteria cannot reproduce normally, and damage to their DNA leads to cell death.

The 2022 scientific review Enrofloxacin—The Ruthless Killer of Eukaryotic Cells or the Last Hope in the Fight against Bacterial Infections? explains this mechanism and examines the medicine’s antibacterial activity alongside its effects on animal cells. It describes activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Its antibacterial range includes E. coli, Pasteurella, Staphylococcus and certain Pseudomonas strains. 

How the injection reaches infected tissues

After injection under the skin, enrofloxacin enters the bloodstream and spreads into tissues, including the lungs, skin and kidneys. This distribution allows the medicine to reach infection sites beyond the injection area. 

Package details: 50 ml bottle

A multidose bottle containing 50 ml of injectable solution. The bottle contains several individual doses; the volume administered to one animal is calculated from its body weight.

Active components: enrofloxacin

Each millilitre contains 25 mg of enrofloxacin.

Therapeutic effect:

Treatment of bacterial infections in cats and dogs, including:

• Respiratory tract infections.
• Urinary and reproductive tract infections.
• Skin and wound infections.

Antibiotics for pets do not treat viruses.

Dosage and administration:

A commonly labeled regimen for dogs and cats is 5 mg/kg once daily by injection under the skin for up to five days. At a concentration of 25 mg/ml, this equals 0.2 ml/kg, or 1 ml per 5 kg of body weight. For example, a 4 kg cat would receive 20 mg in 0.8 ml.

Follow your veterinarian’s instructions for the dose and treatment duration. Injections should be administered by a veterinarian or someone trained and instructed by one.

Contraindications and precautions:

Accurate dosing is particularly important in cats: the daily dose should not exceed 5 mg/kg because excessive exposure can damage the retina and cause loss of vision. Contact the veterinarian promptly if you notice changes in your cat’s vision.

Enrofloxacin has age restrictions because it can affect developing joint cartilage. Common 25 mg/ml product instructions exclude dogs under one year, very large breeds under 18 months and kittens under eight weeks.

Tell the veterinarian about previous reactions to fluoroquinolone antibiotics, seizures or other neurological conditions, and any medicines your pet receives. Local irritation may occur at the injection site.