Florfenicol

Florfenicol: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Florfenicol inhibits bacterial protein synthesis and is a broad-spectrum time-dependent antimicrobial.
• Its activity includes Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria including Staphylococcus pseudintermedius.

Uses of Florfenicol

• It is licensed for systemic use in some food animals.
• Florfenicol is currently only licensed for use in the treatment of otitis externa in the dog.

Dose of Florfenicol in Dogs and Cats

Dogs:

• Aural use: Single-use tube (1.2 g containing 10 mg florfenicol) administered into the affected ear and repeated once after 7 days.

Cats:

• Not licensed.

Side Effects of Florfenicol in Dogs and Cats

• Rare incidence of transient deafness mainly in older dogs.

Contraindications of Florfenicol in Dogs and Cats

• Aural preparation: do not use in pregnant or breeding animals; do not use in dogs with generalized demodicosis; do not use if the tympanic membrane is not intact.
• Not for use in dogs <2 months or 1.4 kg.

Some Notes:

• It is recommended to clean and dry the external ear canal before the first administration of the product.
• It is recommended not to repeat ear cleaning until 21 days after the second administration of the product.