Livestock · Bos taurus · typical adult weight 250.00–900.00 kg
Ceftiofur is dosed at 1.1–2.2 mg/kg SC q24h in cattle, per EXCENEL RTU EZ - ceftiofur hydrochloride injection, suspension [US product label]. Kalamazoo, MI: Zoetis Inc.; 2019. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3357af32-f91b-4663-8f86-a2bcee7855ea; CEFENIL RTU - ceftiofur hydrochloride suspension [package insert]. Liberty, MO: Aspen Veterinary Resources; 2020. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5626b9a9-df77-48c0-83fc-710a41f64b44 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.253 (2026-08-01).. Ceftiofur is used in cattle for Bovine respiratory disease. Routes documented in cattle: SC. A typical adult cattle weighs 250.00–900.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Ceftiofur in cattle, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Excenel, Excede, Naxcel
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 1.1–2.2 mg/kg | q24h | 3-5 days | Bovine respiratory disease | Strong | EXCENEL RTU EZ - ceftiofur hydrochloride injection, suspension [US product label]. Kalamazoo, MI: Zoetis Inc.; 2019. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=3357af32-f91b-4663-8f86-a2bcee7855ea; CEFENIL RTU - ceftiofur hydrochloride suspension [package insert]. Liberty, MO: Aspen Veterinary Resources; 2020. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5626b9a9-df77-48c0-83fc-710a41f64b44 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.253 (2026-08-01). |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your cattle's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Veterinary third-generation cephalosporin. Metabolized to desfuroylceftiofur which retains antimicrobial activity. Broad gram-negative coverage.
Veterinary-labeled product. Excede formulation provides extended duration. Do not use in animals producing milk for human consumption during withdrawal.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cattle may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ceftiofur dose range in cattle, with cited source references: SC 1.1–2.2 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ceftiofur in cattle: SC.
Cited course lengths for Ceftiofur in cattle include: 3-5 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Ceftiofur is indicated in cattle for: Bovine respiratory disease.
These are general warnings for Ceftiofur across species; consult the cattle dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Veterinary-labeled product. Excede formulation provides extended duration. Do not use in animals producing milk for human consumption during withdrawal.
Why a species-specific page? Ceftiofur pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cattle — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.