What is Cefotaxime used for?

Cefotaxime is indicated for: meningitis, Severe infections.

Which species have cited Cefotaxime dosing data?

Cefotaxime dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 5 species: African Grey Parrot, Ball Python, Cat (Domestic), Dog (Domestic), Rabbit (Domestic).

Is Cefotaxime a controlled substance?

Cefotaxime is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

What are the side effects of Cefotaxime?

Reported side effects, adverse reactions, and contraindications for Cefotaxime: Good CNS penetration for meningitis. May cause pain at injection site. Adjust dose in renal failure.

Cefotaxime

US brand names:Claforan

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Cefotaxime is dosed at 20–40 mg/kg IM q48-72h in ball pythons, per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed. | Open-access corroboration 2026-07-21: PMID:10065857 — ball python (Python regius), 25 mg/kg IM (i.m.) (peer_reviewed).. Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antibiotic

Routes

IVIM

Indications

meningitisSevere infections

Mechanism of Action

Third-generation cephalosporin with broad gram-negative activity including CNS penetration. Active metabolite (desacetylcefotaxime) provides additional activity.

Side effects & warnings

Good CNS penetration for meningitis. May cause pain at injection site. Adjust dose in renal failure.

Species with Cefotaxime dosing data (5 dose rules)

African Grey Parrot Ball Python Cat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)Rabbit (Domestic)

Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugs All Ball Python drugs All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Rabbit (Domestic) drugs

Evidence levels across 5 dose rules

Moderate×4Weak×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 4 published sources

· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed. | Open-access corroboration 2026-07-21: PMID:10065857 — ball python (Python regius), 25 mg/kg IM (i.m.) (peer_reviewed).
· Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.407 (2026-08-01).
· Pichardo C, Docobo-Pérez F, Pachón-Ibáñez ME, et al. Efficacy of beta-lactam against experimental pneumococcal endocarditis caused by strains with different susceptibilities to penicillin. J Antimicrob Chemother. 2005;56:732-737. doi:10.1093/jac/dki304 — Verified against Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.841 (2026-08-01).
· Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.234 (2026-08-01).

Sample dosing (2 of 5 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 5 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	IV	25–50 mg/kg	q6-8h	Moderate	Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.234 (2026-08-01).
Cat (Domestic)	IV	20–40 mg/kg	q6-8h	Moderate	Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.234 (2026-08-01).

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