ExoticRx · exoticrx.com/drugs/orbifloxacin
US brand names:Orbax
Orbifloxacin is dosed at 10–20 mg/kg PO q12-24h in african pygmy hedgehogs, per 27. Helmer PJ, Carpenter JW. Hedgehogs. In: Carpenter JW, eds. Exotic Animal Formulary, 5th ed., Elsevier, St. Louis, MO; 2018:443-458. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.734 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 8.1 (Antimicrobial Agents Used in Hedgehogs). Located 2026-08-05: the only table covering this species in which the drug's own row prints this dose. The copy held is an ebook conversion with no printed page numbers, so the table is the citable location. — SOURCE EDITION: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary — ISBN 9780323833929, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9780323833929. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
Inhibits bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. Veterinary-specific fluoroquinolone with concentration-dependent killing.
Avoid in growing animals (cartilage damage). Use cautiously in cats. May lower seizure threshold. Concentration-dependent killing.
Species references:All African Pygmy Hedgehog drugsAll Cat (Domestic) drugsAll Dog (Domestic) 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 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog (Domestic) | PO | 2.5–7.5 mg/kg | q24h | Strong | ORBAX- orbifloxacin tablet, coated [package insert]. Summit, NJ: Merck Animal Health; 2014. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=4a4cabca-caa0-4df3-bc46-963f0804b54a — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.986 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.959, Orbifloxacin monograph spanning p.958-959; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| Cat (Domestic) | PO | 2.5–7.5 mg/kg | q24h | Strong |
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View PlansSource citations and evidence levels available on the live page. Reference only — verify against current literature before clinical use.
| ORBAX- orbifloxacin tablet, coated [package insert]. Summit, NJ: Merck Animal Health; 2014. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=4a4cabca-caa0-4df3-bc46-963f0804b54a — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.986 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.959, Orbifloxacin monograph spanning p.958-959; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |