ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/cefotaxime
US brand names:Claforan
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). — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Third-generation cephalosporin with broad gram-negative activity including CNS penetration. Active metabolite (desacetylcefotaxime) provides additional activity.
Good CNS penetration for meningitis. May cause pain at injection site. Adjust dose in renal failure.
Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.
A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 15 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). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.206, Cefotaxime monograph spanning p.206-207; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, verified to name the drug in its body text. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Cat (Domestic) | IV | 20–40 mg/kg | q6-8h | Moderate | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.234 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.207, Cefotaxime monograph spanning p.206-207; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, |
Upgrade to Pro or Student to unlock the full dose ranges and frequency for every species. The drug's mechanism, warnings, indications, and cited sources are free to read.
View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll Ball Python drugsAll Bearded Dragon drugsAll Blue-tongue Skink drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Corn Snake drugsAll Crested Gecko drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Domestic Pigeon drugsAll Eastern Box Turtle drugsAll Lovebird drugsAll Rabbit (Domestic) drugsAll Russian Tortoise drugsAll Sulcata Tortoise drugsAll Umbrella Cockatoo drugs