What routes can Enrofloxacin be administered by?

Available routes: PO, IM, SC, IV.

Which species have cited Enrofloxacin dosing data?

Enrofloxacin dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 44 species: African Clawed Frog, African Grey Parrot, African Pygmy Hedgehog, Axolotl, Ball Python, Bearded Dragon, Betta (Siamese fighting fish), Blue-and-Gold Macaw, Blue-tongue Skink, Canary, Cat (Domestic), Chilean Rose Tarantula, Chinchilla, Common Octopus, Degu, Dog (Domestic), Domestic Pigeon, Dwarf Hamster, Eastern Box Turtle, Ferret, Fire Salamander, Goldfish, Great Horned Owl, Green Iguana, Green-cheeked Conure, Guinea Pig, Harris Hawk, Horse (Equine), Houston Toad, Koi, Leopard Gecko, Lovebird, Mouse, Peregrine Falcon, Pet Rat, Prairie Dog, Rabbit (Domestic), Red-tailed Hawk, Russian Tortoise, Sugar Glider, Sulcata Tortoise, Umbrella Cockatoo, White's Tree Frog, Zebra Finch.

Is Enrofloxacin a controlled substance?

Enrofloxacin is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Enrofloxacin

US brand names:Baytril

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Enrofloxacin is dosed at 5–20 mg/kg IM q12h in rabbits, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.450, Enrofloxacin monograph spanning p.450-454. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Rabbits.a). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Antibiotic

Routes

POIMSCIV

Indications

AntimicrobialAntimicrobial (broad-spectrum)Bacterial infection (aviary/flock treatment)

Bacterial respiratory

Show all 45

Chlamydiachronic respiratoryDermal hemangiosarcoma (post-operative care)drug of choiceGram-negative and some gram-positive bacteriaGram-negative and some gram-positive infectionsGram-negative bacterial infectionGram-negative enteritisincluding in injured/rehabilitation patientsMycoplasmaMycoplasma haemofelisMycoplasma respiratory (acute)OsteomyelitisOVHPasteurellaPasteurella multocidaPerioperative antibioticPost-operative antibiotic (infection control)Potential tissue necrosispyelonephritis (20 mg/kg)respiratoryRespiratory bacterial infection respiratory infection Respiratory infections (Bordetella, Streptococcus)

Mechanism of Action

Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, preventing DNA replication and transcription.

Side effects & warnings

Avoid in growing animals (cartilage damage). Do NOT use in cats at doses >5mg/kg (retinal toxicity). Avoid concurrent use with theophylline.

Evidence levels across 84 dose rules

Moderate×51Anecdotal×3Weak×15Extrapolated×4Strong×11

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (2 of 84 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 44 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 mg/kg	q24h	Strong	Baytril - Enrofloxacin Tablet, Coated [US Product Label for Dogs and Cats]. Elanco US Inc; 2020. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5012fe70-6394-45f5-be75-04297e39574d — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.453, Enrofloxacin monograph spanning p.450-454.
Cat (Domestic)	IV	5 mg/kg	q24h	Strong	Plumb's 10th ed printed p.453, Enrofloxacin monograph spanning p.450-454.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.

Backed by 50 published sourcesShow

· 2. Adamcak A, Otten B. Rodent therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:221-237. | 122. Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. | 130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.771 — Carpenter 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents).
· 2. Adamcak A, Otten B. Rodent therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:221-237.; 122. Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015.; 130. Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.771
· 265. Esposito JF. Respiratory medicine. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:395-402. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.414 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a).

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Other formulations of Enrofloxacin

Salmonella typhimurium

Severe systemic infections

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus

treatment of infections

· 391. Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.414 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 6.28 (Because of the adjuvants and carriers, many vaccines have a slaughter withdrawal time of 21).

· 7. Agius JE, Kimble B, Govendir M, et al. Pharmacokinetic profile of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in Asian house geckos (Hemidactylus frenatus) after single-dose oral administration of enrofloxacin. Vet Anim Sci; 2020:100- 116. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.216 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).

· 702. Phalen DN. Common bacterial and fungal infectious diseases in pet birds. Suppl Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet. 2003;25:43-48. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.414 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a).

· 941. Tully TN. Psittacine therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:59-90. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.414 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a).

· Adamcak A, Otten B. Rodent therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:221-237. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a).

· Adamcak A, Otten B. Rodent therapeutics. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:221-237.; Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015.; Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630.

· Adamcak A, Otten B. Rodent therapeutics. Vet Clin; Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part; Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a). — CORROBORATED 2026-08-06 by independent literature: Pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin following single-dose subcutaneous injection in black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). (American journal of veterinary research, 2018). doi:10.2460/ajvr.79.6.658. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.79.6.658. The paper reports this drug at this dose in this species: "lack-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus). ANIMALS 8 captive healthy 6-month-old sexually […]". This is a second source alongside the book already cited; it corroborates the figure and does not by itself establish that the dose is correct.

· Agius JE, Kimble B, Govendir M, et al. Pharmacokinetic profile of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in Asian house geckos (Hemidactylus frenatus) after single-dose oral administration of enrofloxacin. Vet Anim Sci; 2020:100-116. doi:10.1016/j.vas.2020.100116 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).

· BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th edition, Part A - Canine and Feline; Enrofloxacin monograph, DOSES, printed p.148. Secondary/contrast: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023), Enrofloxacin, printed p.453 (PDF p.480).

· Baytril - Enrofloxacin Tablet, Coated [US Product Label for Dogs and Cats]. Elanco US Inc; 2020. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5012fe70-6394-45f5-be75-04297e39574d — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.453, Enrofloxacin monograph spanning p.450-454.

· Bodley K. Appendix 4. Drug Formulary. In: Vogelnest L, Portas T, eds. Current Therapy in Medicine of Australian Mammals; CSIRO Publishing, Clayton South, Vic; 2019:702-727. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 7.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Sugar Gliders).

· Brust DM, Mans C. Sugar gliders. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:432-442.

· Carpenter 6e — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed, Table 11.1, Table 11.10 (the served figure is printed in each; all lie in the chapter covering this species).

· Carpenter JW, Klaphake E, Gibbons PM, et al. Reptile formulary. In: Divers SJ, Stahl SJ, eds. Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2019 - Table 127.1 (Antimicrobial Agents), printed p.1192: "Enrofloxacin | 5-10 mg/kg q24h PO, SC, IM, ICe99 | Most species/IM administration is painful and […]". carpenter's 6th ed Table 4.1 does NOT print a "Most species 5-10 mg/kg IM q24h" row - every reptile enrofloxacin row there is species-specific and PK/PD-framed.

· Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th ed, pp.215-216 (Enrofloxacin, reptiles). Primaries printed in the chapter reference list: ref 409 = Salvadori M, Vercelli C, De Vito V, et al. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations of a 10 mg/kg enrofloxacin intramuscular administration in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) [Carpenter refs p.391]; ref 188 = Hellebuyck T, Pasmans F, Haesebrouck F, et al. Designing a successful antimicrobial treatment against Devriesea agamarum infections in lizards. Vet Microbiol. 2009;139:189-192 [Carpenter refs p.364] — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).

· Divers SJ, Stahl SJ (eds), Mader's Reptile and Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Elsevier 2019 - reptile formulary table: 'Enrofloxacin | 5-10 mg/kg q24h PO, SC, IM, ICe99 | Most species/IM administration is painful and may result in tissue necrosis and sterile abscesses, may cause skin discoloration or tissue necrosis if given SC, to administer SC dilute with sterile NaCl'. Carpenter's Table 4.1 prints NO 5-10 mg/kg row for any reptile and NO SC row for any snake.

· Dorrestein GM. Infectious diseases and their therapy in Passeriformes Antimicrobial Therapy in Caged Birds and Exotic Pets, Veterinary Learning Systems, Trenton, NJ; 1995:11-27. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.414 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a).

· Flammer K, Aucoin DP, WhittDA. Intramuscular and oral disposition of enrofloxacin in African grey parrots following single and multiple doses. J Vet Pharmacol Therap. 1991;14(4):359-366. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2885.1991.tb00849.x — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a).

· Flammer K, Aucoin DP, WhittDA. Intramuscular and oral disposition of enrofloxacin in African grey parrots following single and multiple doses. J Vet Pharmacol Therap. 1991;41:359-366. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2885.1991.tb00849.x — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a).

· Griffioen JA, Lewbart GA, Papich MG. Population pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin and its metabolite ciprofloxacin in clinically diseased or injured Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina), yellow-bellied sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta), and river cooters (Pseudemys concinna). J Vet Pharmacol Ther. 2020;43(2):222-230. doi:10.1111/jvp.12843 https://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/32052471

· Haggett EF, Wilson WD. Overview of the use of antimicrobials for the treatment of bacterial infections in horses. Equine Vet Educ. 2008;20(8):433-448. doi:10.2746/095777308x338893 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.453, Enrofloxacin monograph spanning p.450-454.

· Hawkins MG, Barron H, Speer BL, et al. Birds. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 4th ed., Elsevier Saunders, St. Louis, MO; 2013:183-437. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.46 (Protocols Used in Treating Mycobacteriosis in Birds.a,b).

· Invertebrate Medicine, 3rd ed (Lewbart, 2022), Table 33.2 "Arthropoda - Arachnida", citing Pizzi (2012). Published 2026-08-06.

· Invertebrate Medicine, 3rd ed (Lewbart, 2022), Table 9.6 "Cephalopod formulary". Published 2026-08-06.

· Johnson D. African pygmy hedgehogs. In: Meredith A, Johnson-Delaney C, eds. BSAVA Manual of Exotic Pets, 5th ed., British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Gloucester, UK; 2010:139-147.; Lightfoot T. Therapeutics of African pygmy hedgehogs and prairie dogs. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract. 2000;3:155-172. doi:10.1016/s1094-9194(17)30099-3; Smith A. General husbandry and medical care of hedgehogs. In: Bonagura JD, eds. Kirk's Current Veterinary Therapy XIII: Small Animal Practice; WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA; 2000:1128-1133. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Hedgehogs).

· Mader's Reptile & Amphibian Medicine and Surgery, Table 72.1 'Drugs Commonly Used to Treat Mycoplasmosis in Reptiles' (printed 747); also Mader's Table 127.1: 'Enrofloxacin 5-10 mg/kg q24h PO, SC, IM, ICe - Most species'

· Maxwell LK, Jacobson ER. Preliminary single-dose pharmacokinetics of enrofloxacin after oral and intramuscular administration in green iguanas (Iguana iguana). Proc Annu Conf Am Assoc Zoo Vet. 1997;25. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.216 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).

· Meredith A. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary: Part B: Exotic Pets, British Small Animal Veterinary Association, Quedgeley, Gloucester, UK; 2015. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 9.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Rodents.a).

· Mitchell MA. Enrofloxacin (Therapeutic Review). J Exot Pet Med 2006;15(1):66-69. doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2005.11.011 (full-text PDF read) — states that no enrofloxacin pharmacokinetic study exists in ferrets or rodents, and relays a formulary range of 5-20 mg/kg PO, SC or IM for these species (its ref. — https://doi.org/10.1053/j.jepm.2005.11.011

· Morrisey JK, Carpenter JW. Formulary. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 4th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2021:620-630.

· Muller & Kirk's Small Animal Dermatology, 7th Ed, p.845

· Ness RD, Johnson-Delaney C. Sugar gliders. In: Quesenberry KE, Carpenter JW, eds. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery, 3rd ed., Saunders/Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2012:393-410. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 7.1 (Antimicrobial and Antifungal Agents Used in Sugar Gliders).

· Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th Ed, Enrofloxacin, Small Animal Dosage, Dogs - printed p.289 — EDITION CORRECTED 2026-08-07: this citation named the 5th edition, which is not held. The page locator resolves in the 4th ed (2016), the copy actually consulted, and that page names the drug; the reference is to the 4th.

· Papich, Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th Ed, Enrofloxacin, Small Animal Dosage, Dogs - printed p.289. Corroborating figures: BSAVA Small Animal Formulary 10th Ed, Enrofloxacin, printed p.148 - 'Dogs: 5 mg/kg s.c. q24h. Higher doses (10 mg/kg q24h) should be considered for certain sites, including prostatitis.' — EDITION CORRECTED 2026-08-07: this citation named the 5th edition, which is not held. The page locator resolves in the 4th ed (2016), the copy actually consulted, and that page names the drug; the reference is to the 4th.

· Phalen DN. Common bacterial and fungal infectious diseases in pet birds. Suppl Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet. 2003;25:43-48. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.414 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Birds.a).

· Plumb's 10th ed printed p.453, Enrofloxacin monograph spanning p.450-454.

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.450, Enrofloxacin monograph spanning p.450-454. — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 10.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Rabbits.a).

· Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed (2023) — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.453, Enrofloxacin monograph spanning p.450-454.

· Prezant RM, Isaza R, Jacobson ER. Plasma concentrations and disposition kinetics of enrofloxacin in gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus). J Zoo Wildl Med. 1994;25:82-87. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.216 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).

· Ramsey I, ed. BSAVA Small Animal Formulary, 10th ed. Part B: Exotic Pets. Gloucester: British Small Animal Veterinary Association; 2023. p.121.

· Salvadori M, Vercelli C, De Vito V, et al. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations of a 10 mg/kg enrofloxacin intramuscular administration in bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps): a preliminary assessment. J Vet Pharm Ther. 2017;40:62-69. doi:10.1111/jvp.12320; Hellebuyck T, Pasmans F, Haesebrouck F, et al. Designing a successful antimicrobial treatment against Devriesea agamarum infections in lizards. Vet Microbiol. 2009;139:189-192. doi:10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.05.003 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).

· Samour, Avian Medicine, 3rd Ed. (raptor formulary appendix), p.653. Row as printed binds this dose to raptors on its own line: "Enrofloxacin Baytril 2.5% or 5% Raptors IM or PO 10-15 mg/kg bid for 5-7 d Broad-spectrum […]".

· Weese JS, Blondeau JM, Boothe D, et al. Antimicrobial use guidelines for treatment of urinary tract disease in dogs and cats: antimicrobial guidelines working group of the international society for companion animal infectious diseases. Vet Med Int. 2011;2011:263768. doi:10.4061/2011/263768 — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.453, Enrofloxacin monograph spanning p.450-454. — Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th ed, Enrofloxacin monograph, printed p.453, DOGS: "Lower UTIs (extra-label): a) 10 - 20 mg/kg PO every 24 hours. Use of this drug should be reserved […]"; "Sporadic bacterial cystitis: 18 - 20 mg/kg PO every 24 hours for 3 days was shown to be as […]"; "Pyelonephritis (extra-label): 20 mg/kg PO every 24 hours."

· White SD, Bourdeau P, Bruet V, et al. Reptiles with dermatological lesions: a retrospective study of 301 cases at two university veterinary teaching hospitals (1992-2008). Vet Dermatol. 2010;22:150-161. doi:10.1111/j.1365-3164.2010.00926.x — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).

· White SD, Bourdeau P, Bruet V, et al. Reptiles with dermatological lesions: a retrospective study of 301 cases at two university veterinary teaching hospitals (1992-2008). Vet Dermatol. 2010;22:150-161. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.215 doi:10.1111/j.1365-3164.2010.00926.x — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 4.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Reptiles.a,b).