Livestock · Bos taurus · typical adult weight 250.00–900.00 kg
Gentamicin is dosed at 4–6.6 mg/kg IM q24h in cattle, per FARAD Withdrawal Guidelines — dose corroborated 2026-08-05 in Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 10th ed, Gentamicin, Systemic monograph, printed p.578. NOTE: FARAD publishes meat/milk WITHDRAWAL intervals for extralabel use; it is not the source of the dose itself, so the dose is cited to Plumb's and FARAD retained for the withdrawal guidance. Gentamicin is used in cattle for Gram-negative infections (E. coli, Salmonella), Gram-negative infection. Routes documented in cattle: IM. A typical adult cattle weighs 250.00–900.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Gentamicin in cattle, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Gentocin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 4–6.6 mg/kg | q24h | 3-5 days | Gram-negative infections (E. coli, Salmonella) | Moderate | FARAD Withdrawal Guidelines — dose corroborated 2026-08-05 in Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook 10th ed, Gentamicin, Systemic monograph, printed p.578. NOTE: FARAD publishes meat/milk WITHDRAWAL intervals for extralabel use; it is not the source of the dose itself, so the dose is cited to Plumb's and FARAD retained for the withdrawal guidance.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
| IM | 5 mg/kg | q24h | 3-5 days | Gram-negative infection | Moderate | Papich/Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th Ed, p.355Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12–15 | IV | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.383 | • Younger than 2 weeks: 12-15 mg/kg q24h IV or IM. |
| 5–6 | IM | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.383 | • Adult cattle: 5-6 mg/kg q24h IM or IV. |
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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Irreversibly binds 30S ribosomal subunit, inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis. Concentration-dependent killing with post-antibiotic effect.
Highly nephrotoxic. Monitor renal values. Maintain hydration. Ototoxic. Avoid in dehydrated patients. Neuromuscular blockade risk. Extended-interval dosing preferred.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cattle may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Gentamicin dose ranges in cattle, with cited source references: IM 4–6.6 mg/kg q24h; IM 5 mg/kg q24h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Gentamicin in cattle: IM.
Cited course lengths for Gentamicin in cattle include: 3-5 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Gentamicin is indicated in cattle for: Gram-negative infections (E. coli, Salmonella), Gram-negative infection.
These are general warnings for Gentamicin across species; consult the cattle dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Highly nephrotoxic. Monitor renal values. Maintain hydration. Ototoxic. Avoid in dehydrated patients. Neuromuscular blockade risk. Extended-interval dosing preferred.
Why a species-specific page? Gentamicin 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.