Small Animal Dermatology, 3rd edition

CHAPTER 13 BACTERIAL PYODERMA 219

TABLE 13.1.(Continued)

Drug Mode of action Elimination Notes

Erythromycin

10–20 mg/kg q8–12h PO

-static Liver>>renal Gram+ and mycoplasma

Vomiting

Fluoroquinolone group

Enrofloxacin

10–20 mg/kg q24h PO

Ciprofloxacin

25 mg/kg q24h PO

Orbifloxacin

2.5–7.5 mg/kg q24h PO

Marbofloxacin

2.75–5.5 mg/kg q24h PO

Difloxacin

5–10 mg/kg q24h PO

-cidal Renal>liver Good tissue penetration

Broad-spectrum activity

Use for deep pyoderma or mixed

infections

Use based on culture and sensitivity

testing

Blindness: cats

Enrofloxacin: cartilage defects in

young large breed dogs

Ciprofloxacin: variable/poor

bioavailability

Rifampin

Dog: 5–10 mg/kg q12h

Cat: 10–15 mg/kg q24h

-cidal Liver Use based on culture and sensitivity

testing

Reserve for multidrug resistance

Severe hepatitis,

hemolytic anemia

thrombocytopenia

Anorexia

Vomiting/diarrhea

Orange-colored sweat, urine, tears,

feces, saliva

Feline leprosy

Sulfonamide group

Sulfamethoxazole +

trimethoprim

15 mg/kg q12h PO

Sulfadimethoxine + ormetoprim

Dog: 27.5 mg/kg q24h PO

-cidal Liver and renal Gram+

KCS

Drug eruptions

Hepatic necrosis

Vomiting/diarrhea

Arthropathies/hypersensitivity

Dobermans and rottweilers

Altered thyroid activity

GI, gastrointestinal; IM, intramuscular; IV, intravenous; KCS, keratoconjunctivitis sicca; PO, per os (by mouth); SQ,
subcutaneous.

Typical treatment: 3–4 weeks for superficial pyoderma and 6–12 weeks for deep

pyoderma

Protocol should be considered a treatment failure if new lesions are noted within

the first week of therapy: clients should be instructed to stop the medication and

return for culture and sensitivity testing prior to selection of a different antibi-

otic.

 Routine bathing with antimicrobial, shampoos (once or twice weekly): mechanically

removes microbes and lowers bacterial counts; may help to restore epidermal barrier

function; both therapeutic and helps prevent recurrences.

 Pulse therapy (frequent short course with recommended full dose) with antibiotics

should be avoided due to increased risk of antibiotic resistance.