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Clinical particulars
Target Species
Cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, dogs and cats
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.
Exercise caution in animals with hepatic or renal impairment.
Special precautions for use
Not for intravenous administration in dogs or cats.
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 and subcutaneous administration in dogs.
Photodermatitis may occur after treatment if exposure to intense sunlight occurs.
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
It is not recommended to administer bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics concurrently.
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 in large animals and by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection in small animals.
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, dogs or cats.
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
Dog
10
10
1
Not recommended
Cat
5
10
0.5
Not recommended
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 horse must have been declared as not intended for human consumption under national horse passport legislation.