Selected Antimicrobial Information – Farm Animal
Erythromycin [Farm Animal]
Restriction Status
Unrestricted
Dose
| Species | Usage | Dose |
|---|---|---|
| Camelids | Label dose | No labeled dose. |
| Cattle | Label dose (for bovine respiratory disease) | 8.8mg/kg IM q24h for up to 5d; do not give more than 10mL per injection site or 4mL per site in calves |
| For pro-motility effects | 8.8 mg/kg IV (extra-label use) | |
| Small Ruminants | Label dose | No labeled dose. |
| Swine | Label dose | No labeled dose. |
Brand Name(s)
Erythrocin Lactobionate, etc.
Background
Erythromycin is a concentration-dependent, primarily bacteriostatic macrolide antibiotic. It may be bactericidal at high concentrations. Erythromycin is active against Gram-positive aerobes. There is also efficacy against non-enteric Gram-negatives such as Actinobacillus spp. and Pasteurella spp., and anaerobes such as Clostridium spp. and Fusobacterium spp. Distribution is wide, though it penetration of abscesses, sites of tissue necrosis, and the CNS is poor. Excretion is primarily in bile.
Current Uses within OSU-VMC
- Treatment of bovine respiratory disease associated with susceptible Pasteurella multocida isolates.
Contraindicated Uses
- Treatment of abscesses or sites of tissue necrosis.
- Not approved for use in lactating dairy cattle (>20 months of age) or calves to be processed for veal.
Illegal Uses
- None
Formulations Available within the OSU Pharmacy
- Erythromycin 500mg/10ml injectable suspension
Notes
- Erythromycin is commonly used as a prokinetic agent to stimulate abomasal emptying and GI motility.
- IM administration is painful and not recommended.
