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Enrofloxacin

PrescriptionCDSCO approved
Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
Last reviewed 19 Apr 2026 · PetCare.AI Editorial Team
Species
Dog, Cat
Brands
4 available
Interactions
7 documented
Formulations
4

Mechanism of action

Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, preventing DNA replication

At a glance

Class
Fluoroquinolone antibiotic
Schedule
Prescription
Storage
Store below 25°C, protect from light
CDSCO (India)
Vet-approved — 1995-01

Dosing

🐕

Dog

Skin and soft tissue infections
Dose
5–20 mg/kg
Route
PO, SC, IM
Frequency
SID
Max dose
500 mg
Duration: 7-14 days
Urinary tract infections
Dose
5–20 mg/kg
Route
PO
Frequency
SID
Max dose
500 mg
Duration: 10-14 days
🐈

Cat

Skin and soft tissue infections
Dose
5 mg/kg
Route
PO, SC
Frequency
SID
Max dose
25 mg
Duration: 7-14 days
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Formulations

💊

Tablet — 2

Strength
50mg
Available in India
Strength
150mg
Available in India
💉

Injectable — 1

Strength
50mg/mL
Available in India
🧴

Oral solution — 1

Strength
25mg/mL
Available in India

Storage

Store below 25°C, protect from light

Safety

Absolute contraindications — do not use

  • Growing animals (cartilage damage)
    Avoid in puppies <12 months (large breeds <18 months) and kittens <8 weeks due to cartilage erosion
  • Cats — dose >5mg/kg
    Doses >5mg/kg in cats cause irreversible retinal degeneration and blindness

Use with caution

  • Seizure disorders
    Fluoroquinolones lower seizure threshold; concurrent NSAID use increases risk
  • Concurrent theophylline
    Inhibits theophylline metabolism — monitor levels

Adverse effects

Common
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Anorexia
Serious
Retinal degeneration in cats
Cartilage damage in young animals
Seizures
Crystalluria

Monitoring parameters

Vision (cats)Joint health in young animalsHydration statusNeurological signs
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Interactions

Major — 2

Theophylline
major
Fluoroquinolones inhibit hepatic metabolism of theophylline, causing toxic accumulation
Management: Reduce theophylline dose by 30-50% if fluoroquinolone is required. Monitor for tachycardia, restlessness, vomiting.
Aminophylline
major
Fluoroquinolones (especially enrofloxacin) inhibit CYP1A2 metabolism of theophylline (aminophylline = theophylline salt), increasing theophylline levels 50-100%. Risk of seizures and cardiac arrhythmias.
Management: Reduce aminophylline/theophylline dose by 30-50% when adding enrofloxacin. Monitor for signs of theophylline toxicity (restlessness, tachycardia, seizures). Monitor theophylline levels if available.

Moderate — 4

Sucralfate
moderate
Sucralfate chelates fluoroquinolones, reducing oral bioavailability by up to 90%
Management: Administer enrofloxacin at least 2 hours before sucralfate
Meloxicam
moderate
Fluoroquinolones + NSAIDs may increase risk of CNS stimulation and seizures
Management: Monitor for seizure activity. Use lowest effective doses of both.
Ferrous Sulfate
moderate
Iron chelates fluoroquinolones via multivalent cation binding, reducing enrofloxacin absorption by 25-50%.
Management: Separate by at least 2 hours.
Calcium Gluconate
moderate
Calcium chelates fluoroquinolones in GI tract. Reduces oral enrofloxacin absorption by 40-60%. IV route unaffected.
Management: Separate oral administration by at least 2 hours.

Minor — 1

Cyclosporine (Systemic)
minor
Enrofloxacin may modestly inhibit CYP3A4, slightly increasing cyclosporine levels. Clinical significance is minor compared to ketoconazole/itraconazole interaction.
Management: Usually clinically insignificant. Monitor cyclosporine levels if using high-dose enrofloxacin for prolonged courses.
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Brands

International

Baytril
Bayer/Elanco

India

Enrocin
Intas
Enroflox
Virbac
Quinoflox
Zydus AH

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

›What is Enrofloxacin?
Enrofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used in pets. Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, preventing DNA replication
›What is Enrofloxacin used for in pets?
Enrofloxacin is used in veterinary medicine for: Skin and soft tissue infections; Urinary tract infections.
›What is the Enrofloxacin dose for dogs?
For dogs, Enrofloxacin is typically dosed as follows — Skin and soft tissue infections: 5–20 mg/kg PO/SC/IM SID; Urinary tract infections: 5–20 mg/kg PO SID. Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.
›What is the Enrofloxacin dose for cats?
For cats, Enrofloxacin is typically dosed as follows — Skin and soft tissue infections: 5 mg/kg PO/SC SID. Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.
›What are the side effects of Enrofloxacin?
Common: Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Anorexia. Serious (call your vet immediately): Retinal degeneration in cats, Cartilage damage in young animals, Seizures, Crystalluria.
›Does Enrofloxacin need a prescription?
Yes. Enrofloxacin is a prescription medication and should only be administered under veterinary supervision.
›When should Enrofloxacin not be used?
Do not use Enrofloxacin if: Growing animals (cartilage damage); Cats — dose >5mg/kg.
Educational reference only
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

References

CDSCO approvals (India) — 2

Enrofloxacin 5% oral solution and 10% inj
M/s Ranbaxy Labs · Approved 10.01.1994
Oral solution for veterinary
Enrofloxacin 200 mg + Bromhexine HCl IP 15 mg oral solution. (veterinary product
M/s. Akums Drugs & Pharmaceuticals Ltd · Approved 30.04.2015
For the treatment of infectious diseases of poultry produced by Gram - positive bacterias, Gram - Negative bacteria and
Source: CDSCO Veterinary Drug Approval Registry (1969–2026)

References

The PetCare.AI drug reference is built from 13 authoritative sources cited across 580 drug monographs.

Textbooks & handbooks — 5

  • Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
  • Withrow & MacEwen's Small Animal Clinical Oncology
  • Merck Veterinary Manual
  • NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats
  • Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Riviere & Papich)

Clinical guidelines & consensus — 4

  • ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Guidelines
  • AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines
  • ASPCA Poison Control Guidelines
  • RECOVER CPR Guidelines

Journals & peer-reviewed studies — 2

  • EPIC Study (J Vet Intern Med 2016)
  • JVIM FAT CAT Study

Regulatory & approvals — 1

  • CDSCO Veterinary Drug Approval Registry (1969–2026)

Databases — 1

  • Washington State University VCPL MDR1 Database

Related medicines

Other medicines in the same class (Fluoroquinolone antibiotic).

Ciprofloxacin (Ophthalmic)
Rx
Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, preventing DNA replication; broad-spectrum activity against ocular pathogens
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Marbofloxacin
Rx
Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, preventing DNA replication and transcription
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Ofloxacin (Ophthalmic)
Rx
Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, preventing DNA replication and transcription. Bactericidal activity against a wide range of gram-positive and gram-negative ocular pathogens.
dogcat
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