Livestock · Meleagris gallopavo · typical adult weight 3.00–18.00 kg
Ceftiofur is dosed at 2.8–5.8 mg/kg SC q24h in turkeys, per 219. Tell LA, Harrenstien L, Wetzlich S, et al. Pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur sodium in exotic and domestic avian species. J Vet Pharmacol Therap. 1998;21:85-91. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.619 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW). Ceftiofur is used in turkeys for Treatment of early mortality associated with E. coli, Control of early mortality associated with E. coli. Routes documented in turkeys: SC, SC (neck). A typical adult turkey weighs 3.00–18.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Ceftiofur in turkeys, 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 | 2.8–5.8 mg/kg | q24h | — | Treatment of early mortality associated with E. coli | Weak | 219. Tell LA, Harrenstien L, Wetzlich S, et al. Pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur sodium in exotic and domestic avian species. J Vet Pharmacol Therap. 1998;21:85-91. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.619 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
| SC (neck) | 0.17–0.5 mg/poult (total dose, NOT mg/kg) | once (single injection) | A single SC injection in the neck region, given at 1-3 days of age. A separate row on the same page gives the same 0.17-0.5 mg/poult SC repeated q24h (superscript 219) — that is a different rule. | Control of early mortality associated with E. coli | Moderate | 170. Newman L, Sander J, et al. Poultry drug use guide. In: Boulianne M, Brash ML, Fitz-Coy SH, et al. Avian Disease Manual, 7th ed., American Association of Avian Pathologists, Jacksonville, FL; 2013:263-267. — Mined from Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.619 (2026-08-01, PENDING REVIEW) |
Need the exact dose for your patient?
These ranges are per kg. Enter your turkey'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 turkeys may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Ceftiofur dose ranges in turkeys, with cited source references: SC 2.8–5.8 mg/kg q24h; SC (neck) 0.17–0.5 mg/poult (total dose, NOT mg/kg) once (single injection). Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Ceftiofur in turkeys: SC, SC (neck).
Cited course lengths for Ceftiofur in turkeys include: A single SC injection in the neck region, given at 1-3 days of age. A separate row on the same page gives the same 0.17-0.5 mg/poult SC repeated q24h (superscript 219) — that is a different rule.. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Ceftiofur is indicated in turkeys for: Treatment of early mortality associated with E. coli, Control of early mortality associated with E. coli.
These are general warnings for Ceftiofur across species; consult the turkey 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 turkeys — 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.