Livestock · Bos taurus · typical adult weight 250.00–900.00 kg
Oxytetracycline is dosed at 6.6–11 mg/kg IM q24h, max 4 consecutive days in cattle, per OXYTETRACYCLINE INJECTION 200- oxytetracycline injection, solution. Published online 2011. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1001 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.974, Oxytetracycline monograph spanning p.972-976; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — 21 CFR § 522.1662 (Oxytetracycline), conditions of use for beef cattle and nonlactating dairy cattle: 6.6139-11.0231 mg/kg (the regulation prints this per pound; converted at 2.2046226 lb/kg). Retrieved from the eCFR API, snapshot 2026-01-01. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-522.1662 — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207. Oxytetracycline is used in cattle for Bovine respiratory disease. Routes documented in cattle: IM, IV. A typical adult cattle weighs 250.00–900.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Oxytetracycline in cattle, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Terramycin, Liquamycin
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IM | 6.6–11 mg/kg | q24h, max 4 consecutive days | 3-5 days | Bovine respiratory disease | Strong | OXYTETRACYCLINE INJECTION 200- oxytetracycline injection, solution. Published online 2011. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1001 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.974, Oxytetracycline monograph spanning p.972-976; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — 21 CFR § 522.1662 (Oxytetracycline), conditions of use for beef cattle and nonlactating dairy cattle: 6.6139-11.0231 mg/kg (the regulation prints this per pound; converted at 2.2046226 lb/kg). Retrieved from the eCFR API, snapshot 2026-01-01. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-522.1662 — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
| IV | 6.6–11 mg/kg | q24h IV slowly over at least 5 min, max 4 days | 3-5 days | Bovine respiratory disease | Strong | OXYTET 100- Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride Injection, Solution. Northern Ireland: Norbrook Laboratories Limited; 2019. — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1001 (2026-08-01). — Plumb's 10th ed (held) printed p.974, Oxytetracycline monograph spanning p.972-976; page located 2026-08-05 from the book's own running heads, and carries this exact dose under the matching species heading. — 21 CFR § 522.1662 (Oxytetracycline), conditions of use for beef cattle and nonlactating dairy cattle: 6.6139-11.0231 mg/kg (the regulation prints this per pound; converted at 2.2046226 lb/kg). Retrieved from the eCFR API, snapshot 2026-01-01. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/section-522.1662 — SOURCE EDITION: Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook — ISBN 9781394172207, https://openlibrary.org/isbn/9781394172207 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | PO | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.625 | • Treatment of pneumonia: 11 mg/kg q12h PO. |
| 11 | IV | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.625 | 11 mg/kg q12h IV. |
| 20 | IM | Papich Saunders Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 4th edp.625 | • Long-acting formulations: 20 mg/kg IM as a single dose. |
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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Inhibits protein synthesis by binding 30S ribosomal subunit. Broad-spectrum bacteriostatic agent.
Tissue irritation with IM injection. Avoid in young animals (tooth/bone discoloration). Chelation with divalent cations reduces absorption. Photosensitivity.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cattle may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Oxytetracycline dose ranges in cattle, with cited source references: IM 6.6–11 mg/kg q24h, max 4 consecutive days; IV 6.6–11 mg/kg q24h IV slowly over at least 5 min, max 4 days. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Oxytetracycline in cattle: IM, IV.
Cited course lengths for Oxytetracycline in cattle include: 3-5 days. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Oxytetracycline is indicated in cattle for: Bovine respiratory disease.
These are general warnings for Oxytetracycline across species; consult the cattle dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Tissue irritation with IM injection. Avoid in young animals (tooth/bone discoloration). Chelation with divalent cations reduces absorption. Photosensitivity.
Why a species-specific page? Oxytetracycline 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.