Livestock · Bos taurus · typical adult weight 250.00–900.00 kg
Ceftiofur is dosed at 1.1–2.2 mg/kg SC q24h x3 days; may extend to days 4-5 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). — 21 CFR § 522.313c (Ceftiofur sodium), conditions of use for Cattle: 1.1023-2.2046 mg/kg (the regulation prints this per pound; converted at 2.2046226 lb/kg). Related tolerances: 21 CFR § 556.113. Retrieved from the eCFR API, snapshot 2026-01-01. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-522.313c — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.253' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.226; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.226. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. 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 x3 days; may extend to days 4-5 | 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). — 21 CFR § 522.313c (Ceftiofur sodium), conditions of use for Cattle: 1.1023-2.2046 mg/kg (the regulation prints this per pound; converted at 2.2046226 lb/kg). Related tolerances: 21 CFR § 556.113. Retrieved from the eCFR API, snapshot 2026-01-01. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-522.313c — LOCATOR CONVENTION 2026-08-07: the bare 'p.253' in this citation is the PDF index of the held scan, not the printed page. The PRINTED page is p.226; verified by finding the drug named there. If you are holding the book, turn to p.226. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
Every held source for this drug and species, as printed. Where they differ, both are shown — the choice is yours, not ours.
| Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Source | As printed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.6 | SC | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.166 | • 6.6 mg/kg, with a single SQ injection in the middle third of the posterior aspect |
| 1.1–2.2 | IM | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.170 | • BRD: 1.1-2.2 mg/kg (0.5-1.0 mg/pound) q24h for 3 days IM. Additional doses |
| 2.2 | SC | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.168 | • Treatment of postpartum metritis: 2.2 mg/kg once daily for 5 days SQ or IM. |
Figures are transcribed from the cited page or table of each held edition and are shown for reference only. They are not dose recommendations, they do not feed the calculator, and none has been reviewed by a veterinarian.
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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 x3 days; may extend to days 4-5. 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.