Target Species
Cattle, sheep, pigs and horses
Indications for use
For the treatment of infections caused by organisms sensitive to oxytetracycline in horses, cattle, sheep and pigs.
In vitro, oxytetracycline is active against a range of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative micro organisms including:
Streptococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., L. monocytogenes, P. haemolytica, H. parahaemolyticus and B. bronchiseptica and against Chlamydophila abortus, the causative organism of enzootic abortion in sheep.
Contraindications
Not to be administered to horses during concomitant therapy with corticosteroids.
Special warnings for each target species
As with other tetracyclines, caution should be exercised in treating horses under stress.
Special precautions for use
None.
Operator warnings
Take care to avoid accidental injection.
In case of contact with eyes or skin, wash immediately with plenty of water as irritation may occur.
Wash hands after use.
Adverse Reactions
A transient swelling may be observed following intramuscular administration in horses.
Use during pregnancy or lactation
The use of tetracyclines during the period of tooth and bone development, including late pregnancy, may lead to discolouration.
Interactions
None known.
Amounts to be administered and administration route
Can be administered at either a low dose rate for a 24 hour duration of activity or at a high dose rate for prolonged duration of activity.
24 hour dosage regime:
The recommended dosage rate is 3-10 mg/kg bodyweight (depending on age and species - see table) by intramuscular or intravenous injection. The treatment may be repeated at 24 hour intervals up to 4 times (5 treatments in all).
Intravenous injections must be given slowly over a period of at least one minute.
Prolonged action dosage regime:
10 or 20 mg/kg bodyweight depending on age and species (see table) by intramuscular injection only, repeated once after 48-60 hours if required.
This dosage regime is not advised for use in horses.
Animal | Weight kg | 24 hour dosage | Prolonged action |
| | Dose mg/kg | Volume ml | Dose mg/kg | Volume ml |
Horse | 500 | 5 | 25 | Not recommended |
Foal | 100 | 10 | 10 | Not recommended |
Cow | 500 | 3 | 15 | 10 | 50 |
Calf | 100 | 8 | 8 | 20 | 20 |
Sow/boar | 150 | 5 | 7.5 | 10 | 15 |
Pig | 25 | 8 | 2 | 20 | 5 |
Sheep | 50 | 8 | 4 | 20 | 10 |
Lamb | 25 | 8 | 2 | 20 | 5 |
Prophylactic treatment of enzootic abortion in sheep: 20 mg/kg administered about day 95-100 of gestation. A further treatment may be given 2-3 weeks later.
Before administration, clean the area of the injection site and swab with spirit. Repeat doses should be administered at different sites, and the sites massaged well after injection.
Maximum recommended dose at any one site: 20 ml for cattle, 10 ml for sheep and pigs.
Overdose
Oxytetracyline has low toxicity, but is irritant. Overdosage should be avoided, particularly in horses. No recommended treatment.
Withdrawal periods
24 hour dose
Milk Cows | 6 days |
Cattle | 35 days |
Sheep | 14 days |
Pigs | 14 days |
Prolonged action dose
Milk Cows | 6 days |
Cattle | 21 days |
Sheep | 14 days |
Pigs | 10 days |
Not for use in horses intended for human consumption.
Not for use in sheep producing milk for human consumption.
Treated horses may never be slaughtered for human consumption
The horses must have been declared as not intended for human consumption under national horse passport legislation.