BRAND NAME: BAYTRIL
AVAILABLE IN
5.7 mg, 22.7 mg, 68 mg & 136 mg
TABLETS
BACKGROUND
Until penicillin came on the scene in the 1940's, our efforts to
combat bacterial infection were largely ineffective. As different
antibiotics were developed, different types of bacteria were conquered,
yet one bacterial species remained seemingly invincible: Pseudomonas
aurugenosa. Eventually antibiotics (the aminoglycoside class) were
developed that could kill Pseudomonas but they were available only
as injectable products and had potential to cause significant kidney
damage if used too long. With these kind of side effects and the
ability to treat Pseudomonas limited to hospitalized patients (where
injections could be given regularly), the battle with Pseudomonas
was far from won.
A major breakthrough was the development of the fluoroquinolone
class of antibiotics (including enrofloxacin, its counterpart for
human use ciprofloxacin, and several others). These medications are
active against many bacterial types including Pseudomonas. They are
available as tablets and are not associated with the serious side
effects that plagued the aminoglycoside group.
Fluoroquinolones act by deactivating bacterial enzymes necessary
for the transcription of DNA. DNA is very tightly coiled in order
to fit inside a cell. Segments to be used must be uncoiled by an
enzyme called DNA gyrase. The fluoroquinolone antibiotic deactivates
DNA gyrase making the reading of DNA impossible. The bacterial cell
dies. Mammalian DNA gyrase is of a completely different shape and
remains unharmed.
USES OF THIS MEDICATION
This medication may be used in either dogs or cats to combat different
types of infections, especially those involving Pseudomonas. Enrofloxacin
is also active against Staphylococci, and thus is commonly used for
infections of the skin.
SIDE EFFECTS
At approximately ten times the recommended dose vomiting and diarrhea
may be seen with this medication. At normal doses, this should not
be seen. Dogs with Pseudomonas ear infections require very high doses
of enrofloxacin and nausea may indeed become a problem.
In immature dogs (less than 8 months of age) damage to joint cartilage
can occur. This phenomenon is only seen in growing dogs and does
not seem to be a problem in cats. It is preferable not to use this
medication in puppies unless the severity of the infection present
warrants it.
The use of enrofloxacin can produce crystals in urine. These crystals
may show up on a laboratory test thus it is important to be aware
of this side effect.
See below regarding the recently described feline retinal problem
associated with enrofloxacin at higher doses.
INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER DRUGS
Sucralfate (a medication used to treat stomach ulcers) may bind
enrofloxacin and prevent it from entering the body. These medications
should be given at least 2 hours apart if they are used together.
Theophylline (an airway dilator) blood levels may be higher than
usual if this medication is used concurrently with enrofloxacin.
The dose of theophylline may need to be reduced.
If enrofloxacin is used with oral cyclosporine (an immunosuppressive
medication used for inflammatory bowel disease), the kidney damaging
properties of cyclosporine may become worse.
Medications or supplements containing iron, zinc, magnesium or aluminum
will bind enrofloxacin and prevent absorption into the body. Such
medications should be separated from enrofloxacin by at least two
hours.
CONCERNS AND CAUTIONS
Enrofloxacin tablets are enteric coated to hide the drug's naturally
bitter taste. If the tablets are crushed for some reason, the bitter
taste is more readily apparent. Crushing tablets to put in an animal's
food is unlikely to be an effective way to administer enrofloxacin.
Recently, Bayer has manufactured an alternative valled a “flavor-tab”
which is much more palatable than the purple-colored enteric coated
tablets. The tan colored “flavor-tabs” are more easily crushed and
mixed in food.
Pseudomonas infections are especially common in ears. In this location,
especially high doses of enrofloxacin are needed to clear this infection.
Expect to give a lot of pills and be prepared for expense.
Enrofloxacin has toxic properties in humans. It is for veterinary
use only.
Enrofloxacin should not be used in pregnant, or nursing pets nor
in immature dogs unless the severity of the infection warrants it.
Enrofloxacin may lower the seizure threshhold (meaning that it can
facilitate seizures). This is not a problem for normal animals but
fluoroquinolones are best not used in animals with known seizure
disorders.
Retinal damage has been seen in cats when higher doses (such as
might be used to treat a Pseudomonas ear infection) are used. This
reaction is not common even with very high doses, but there is no
way to pedict which cats will react. Blindness, temporary or permanent,
can result. This reaction has only been reported with enrofloxacin
and not with other fluoroquinolones, as it is theorized that the
biochemical structure of enrofloxacin leads to especially high concentrations
in the feline eye (in other words, this reaction is theoretically
possible with any fluoroquinolones but enrofloxacin is especially
predisposed to causing this reaction).
Enrofloxacin Medical Center Enrofloxacin
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