Medication: Enrofloxacin

Your cat has been prescribed enrofloxacin for the treatment of an alimentary, respiratory, urogenital, skin, or secondary soft tissue (such as a wound) bacterial infection.

Key points:
•  Antibiotic.
• Do not use in cats less than 8-12 weeks of age (depending on product) or weighing less than 1 kg (2.2 lbs).
• Use with caution in cats with severe kidney or liver disease.
• Do not exceed the recommended dose – blindness can occur.
• Do not use in cats that are epileptic or suffer from seizures.
• Do not use in breeding or pregnant cats.
• Dosage: once daily. 

This information sheet is designed to help answer commonly asked questions and help you give the medication safely and effectively to your pet. It does not contain all available information for this medication. If you have other questions or need more information, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist. 

Always follow the dosing instructions provided by your veterinarian.  

Name

• Enrofloxacin (en-ro-FLOX-a-sin).

Brand name

• Baytril® (Europe & UK, US).
• Enrocin (UK).
• Enroquin (US).
• Xeden® (Europe & UK).
• Zobuxa® (US).

Class of medication

• Antibiotic.
• Antimicrobial.
• Fluoroquinolone.

Storage

• Store at <30°C (86°F) and in a dry environment.

Your veterinarian has prescribed enrofloxacin for the treatment of bacterial infections caused by:

• Gram-negative infections:
  • Pseudomonas spp
  • Klebsiella spp
  • Escherichia coli 
  • Proteus spp
  • Bordetella bronchiseptica.
• Gram-positive infections:
  • Staphylococcus spp
  • Pasteurella spp.

Enrofloxacin is given by injection or orally, as tablets once daily (or divided into two equal doses twice daily). Tablets can either be administered directly into your cat’s mouth cat or with some food. The tablets well accepted by cats, some tablets are flavored.

The following side-effects have been reported:

• A moderate, transient local reaction (swelling) at the injection site.
• Digestive tract disorders (anorexia, vomiting or diarrhea).
• Behavioral changes including depression, lethargy, vocalization and aggression.
• Neurological signs: ataxia, seizures.
• Mydriasis, retinal degeneration, including hyperreflective tapetal fundus and loss of vision (permanent blindness), particularly when the recommended dose is exceeded.

Drug interactions can occur with:

• Antibiotics: do not use in combination with antibiotics of the phenicol, macrolide or tetracycline classes as these may produce antagonistic effects.
• Compounds containing metal cations (magnesium, aluminium, iron, calcium, zinc) like adsorbents and some supplements: may reduce the absorption of fluoroquinolones; separate doses of these drugs by at least 2 hours.
• Theophylline: do not use concurrently as the elimination of theophylline may be delayed (leading to side effects).
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs): care should be taken during concomitant use to avoid side effects (ie seizures in susceptible cats) due to reduced drug clearance (pharmacodynamic interaction).

Enrofloxacin tablets should be administered according to your veterinarian’s instructions. The treatment course usually extends for at least 2-3 days beyond the resolution of clinical signs. Severe and/or complicated infections may require more prolonged therapy, up to 30 days. If no improvement is seen within 5 days, your veterinarian may recommend a different course of therapy.

Dispose of any unused enrofloxacin safely – do not flush down the toilet or sink. Ask your veterinary team if they take back medication for disposal. Do not save enrofloxacin for future use or give to other pets.

If you miss a dose, give the dose as soon as possible but do not give a double dose. Make sure the dose given does not exceed the total recommended dose in any 24-hour period.

If your pet is unwell, contact your veterinarian for advice.

Enrofloxacin should only be given to the cat that it has been prescribed for:

• Do not give to other pets in the household
• Do not use in kittens <8-12 weeks old
• Do not use in cats <8-12 weeks of age or weighing <1 kg (2.2 lbs)
• Do not use in cats with neurological disease, especially epilepsy
• Do not use in breeding or pregnant cats.

If accidentally given to other pets, contact your veterinarian for advice.

If accidentally consumed by a human, speak to your primary care physician or poison control center.

No specific tests are required while your cat is taking enrofloxacin.

Further information 

If you have any concerns, further information on enrofloxacin can be found on the package insert and the following websites:

Europe & UK

• Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) Baytril 15 mg tablets. Product Information: www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/productinformationdatabase/files/SPC_Documents/SPC_120175.PDF
• Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) Baytril Solution for Injection. Product information: www.hpra.ie/img/uploaded/swedocuments/Licence_VPA22020-044-001_19102020112844.pdf
• Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) Enrocin 15 mg tablets. Product information: www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/productinformationdatabase/files/QRD_Documents/QRD-Auth_2278939.PDF
• Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) Xeden 15 mg tablets. Product information: www.vmd.defra.gov.uk/productinformationdatabase/files/SPC_Documents/SPC_213322.PDF

USA

• Elanco (US) Baytril® (enrofloxacin). Website: www.elancodvm.com/our-products/baytril/baytril-antibacterial-tablets
• Elanco (US) Baytril® (enrofloxacin). Package insert: www.elancolabels.com/us/baytril-antibacterial-tablets 
• Dechra (US) Enroquin™ Flavored Tablets (enrofloxacin). Website: www.dechra-us.com/our-products/us/companion-animal/dog/prescription/enroquin-flavored-tablets-enrofloxacin#22-7-mg 
• Elanco (US) Zobuxa® (enrofloxacin). Website: www.elanco.us/products-services/cats/zobuxa

Always follow the recommended dosage and contact your veterinary team or pharmacist if you have any questions regarding your cat’s medication.