Selected Antimicrobial Information – Companion Animal
Pradofloxacin [Companion]
Restriction Status
Selectively Use
Dose
| Species | Usage | Dose |
|---|---|---|
| Cats | Label dose | 7.5mg/kg PO q24h for 7d |
| For respiratory tract infections | 5mg/kg PO q24h for ≥5d (extra-label use) | |
| For wounds | 5mg/kg PO q24h for 7d (extra-label use) | |
| For UTIs | 5mg/kg PO q24h for 11-30d (extra-label use) | |
| For bartonellosis |
5-10mg/kg PO q12-24h for 28-42d (extra-label use) | |
| Dogs | For wounds or systemic infections | 3-5mg/kg PO q24h for 7d (extra-label use) |
| For superficial or deep pyoderma | 3-3.7mg/kg PO q24h to resolution of clinical signs or one week past resolution (extra-label use) | |
| For UTIs | 3mg/kg PO q24h for 7-21d (extra-label use) |
Brand Name(s)
Veraflox®
Background
Pradofloxacin is a bactericidal, concentration-dependent fluoroquinolone antibiotic with broad-spectrum activity against Gram-negative aerobes, Gram-positive aerobes, and some anaerobes. It is more efficacious against Gram-positive aerobes and anaerobes compared to other veterinary fluoroquinolones, which are not suitable for treating anaerobic infections. Distribution is wide, including into abscesses, and excretion is primarily as active drug in urine.
Acceptable Uses
- Treatment of skin infections including wounds, abscesses, and pyoderma.
- Treatment of urinary tract infections.
- Treatment of bartonellosis in cats.
- Treatment of upper respiratory tract infections associated with Mycoplasma spp. when doxycycline is not effective. Less useful for treatment of Chlamydophila.
- Treatment of cholangiohepatitis in cats with neutrophilic hepatic inflammation or evidence of biliary infection.
Unacceptable Uses
- Avoid in dogs when other antimicrobial choices are available.
Formulations Available within the OSU Pharmacy
- Veraflox 25mg/ml oral suspension
Notes
- Pradofloxacin only carries a label for use in cats in the United States, though it is also labelled for use in dogs in the United Kingdom. Adverse effects including development of arrhythmias in dogs with pre-existing risk factors (hypothyroidism, heart failure, kidney disease, etc.) or bone marrow suppression. Since the FDA-approved label for pradofloxacin carries the warning “DO NOT USE IN DOGS,” an alternative antimicrobial choice should be sought when possible.
- Pradofloxacin should also not be used in young, growing animal due to adverse effects on cartilage.
- This should be used selectively (i.e. as a second resource drug).
