ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/ciprofloxacin
US brand names:Cipro, Baytril(enrofloxacin metabolite)
Ciprofloxacin is dosed at 5–10 mg/kg IM q48h in ball pythons, per Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, preventing DNA replication. Active metabolite of enrofloxacin in some species. Concentration-dependent killing.
Avoid in young growing animals (cartilage damage). May cause CNS stimulation. Drug interactions with antacids, sucralfate. Cats: retinal degeneration risk at high doses.
Species references:All African Grey Parrot drugsAll Ball Python drugsAll Bearded Dragon drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) drugsAll Guinea Pig drugs
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 9 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 5–15 mg/kg | q24h | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 25 mg/kg | q24h | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023), Ciprofloxacin, p.295, DOGS row; superscript 1 = Papich MG. Ciprofloxacin pharmacokinetics in clinical canine patients. J Vet Intern Med. 2017;31(5):1508-1513. Corroborated by Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs 4th ed p.189 ('Dogs • 25 mg/kg q24h PO') and Riviere & Papich, Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics 10th ed p.983 ('Ciprofloxacin | 25 (oral) | recommended daily dose 25-30 once daily | Papich, 2012') |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.