# Cefquinome: veterinary dose and monograph > Cefquinome is a veterinary antibiotic. 4th-generation cephalosporin developed solely for veterinary use. Indications include bovine respiratory disease (Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica); digital dermatitis, infectious bulbar necrosis, acute interdigital necrobacillosis; acute E. coli mastitis with systemic involvement. This monograph lists 7 reference doses for cattle, horses and pigs, each with route, frequency and source, plus meat and milk withdrawal periods for food animals. Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cefquinome · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01 ## At a glance - **Drug class:** Antibiotic - **Also known as:** Cobactan, Cobactan LC, Bactivon - **Species with doses:** Cattle, Horses and Pigs - **General dose range:** 1–2 mg/kg IM q24h — check the species tables for the indication - **Routes:** IM, Intramammary, IV - **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026 ## Indications - Bovine respiratory disease (Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica) - Digital dermatitis, infectious bulbar necrosis, acute interdigital necrobacillosis - Acute E. coli mastitis with systemic involvement - Calf E. coli septicaemia - Sheep/goat bacterial septicaemia, pneumonia, GI infection - Swine MMA syndrome, respiratory disease, meningitis, arthritis - Equine respiratory disease (Streptococcus equi) ## Cefquinome dose by species Doses are per administration unless stated. mg/kg doses scale with body weight; per-animal, per-quarter and infusion-rate doses are shown as the reference writes them. ### Cattle *Cefquinome doses for cattle* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Respiratory disease / digital dermatitis (Cobactan 2.5 %) | 1 mg/kg | IM | q24h | 3–5 days | 5d slaughter / 24h milk | | Acute E. coli mastitis (systemic, Cobactan 2.5 %) | 1 mg/kg | IM | q24h | 2 days | 5d slaughter / 24h milk | | Clinical mastitis — intramammary (Cobactan LC) | 75 mg per affected quarter (1 syringe) | Intramammary | q12h x 3 milkings | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label | | Calf E. coli septicaemia | 2 mg/kg | IM | q24h | 3–5 days | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label | - Respiratory disease / digital dermatitis (Cobactan 2.5 %): Papich 5e (EU label): respiratory disease and foot rot 1 mg/kg (2 mL per 50 kg of the 2.5% suspension) IM once daily for 3–5 days; BRD 2.5 mg/kg IM q48h with the 7.5% product. Label withdrawal (2.5% product, EU) about 5 days meat and 24 h milk — confirm the local label. Plumb’s 10e p.218: cattle 1 mg/kg IM once daily for 2 to 5 consecutive days depending on indication and age; neck injection site, rotating subsequent sites (extra-label use is prohibited in the US). - Acute E. coli mastitis (systemic, Cobactan 2.5 %): Papich 5e (EU label): mastitis with systemic involvement 1 mg/kg (2 mL/50 kg of 2.5% suspension) IM once daily for 2 days. - Clinical mastitis — intramammary (Cobactan LC): Label-sourced — one 75 mg syringe per affected quarter after each of three consecutive milkings (q12h). Not dosed in Papich 5e; Plumb’s 10e cefquinome monograph (pp.216–218) gives injectable doses only, no intramammary regimen. Follow the local product label for meat and milk withdrawals. - Calf E. coli septicaemia: Papich 5e (EU label): E. coli septicaemia in calves 2 mg/kg (4 mL per 50 kg of the 2.5% suspension) IM once daily for 3–5 days. Follow the local label withdrawal. ### Horses *Cefquinome doses for horses* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Streptococcus equi respiratory infection | 1 mg/kg | IM | q24h | 5–10 days | | Foal E. coli septicaemia | 1 mg/kg | IV | q12h | 6–14 days | - Streptococcus equi respiratory infection: Papich 5e (EU label): respiratory infection caused by S. equi 1 mg/kg IV or IM q24h for 5–10 days. - Foal E. coli septicaemia: Papich 5e (EU label): systemic infection, especially E. coli septicaemia in foals, 1 mg/kg IV or IM q12h for 6–14 days. ### Goats *Cefquinome doses for goats* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | No reference dose for this species | Not established in Papich 5e or Plumb’s 10e — do not extrapolate from another species | — | — | — | — | - No reference dose for this species: The previous 2 mg/kg IM goat row had no source; Papich 5e gives cefquinome doses only for cattle, pigs, horses, dogs and cats, and Plumb’s 10e (pp.216–218) only for horses, cattle and pigs. ### Sheep *Cefquinome doses for sheep* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | No reference dose for this species | Not established in Papich 5e or Plumb’s 10e — do not extrapolate from another species | — | — | — | — | - No reference dose for this species: The previous 2 mg/kg IM sheep row had no source; Papich 5e gives cefquinome doses only for cattle, pigs, horses, dogs and cats, and Plumb’s 10e (pp.216–218) only for horses, cattle and pigs. ### Pigs *Cefquinome doses for pigs* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | MMA / respiratory / arthritis / meningitis | 2 mg/kg | IM | q24h | 2 days (respiratory) / 5 days (piglet meningitis, arthritis, dermatitis) | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label | - MMA / respiratory / arthritis / meningitis: Papich 5e (EU label): respiratory infections 2 mg/kg IM in the neck once daily for 2 days; meningitis, arthritis or dermatitis in piglets 2 mg/kg IM once daily for 5 days. ### Buffalo No buffalo-specific doses are on file, so buffalo are dosed as cattle. *Cefquinome doses for buffalo* | Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration | Withdrawal | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Respiratory disease / digital dermatitis (Cobactan 2.5 %) | 1 mg/kg | IM | q24h | 3–5 days | 5d slaughter / 24h milk | | Acute E. coli mastitis (systemic, Cobactan 2.5 %) | 1 mg/kg | IM | q24h | 2 days | 5d slaughter / 24h milk | | Clinical mastitis — intramammary (Cobactan LC) | 75 mg per affected quarter (1 syringe) | Intramammary | q12h x 3 milkings | — | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label | | Calf E. coli septicaemia | 2 mg/kg | IM | q24h | 3–5 days | Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label | - Respiratory disease / digital dermatitis (Cobactan 2.5 %): Papich 5e (EU label): respiratory disease and foot rot 1 mg/kg (2 mL per 50 kg of the 2.5% suspension) IM once daily for 3–5 days; BRD 2.5 mg/kg IM q48h with the 7.5% product. Label withdrawal (2.5% product, EU) about 5 days meat and 24 h milk — confirm the local label. Plumb’s 10e p.218: cattle 1 mg/kg IM once daily for 2 to 5 consecutive days depending on indication and age; neck injection site, rotating subsequent sites (extra-label use is prohibited in the US). - Acute E. coli mastitis (systemic, Cobactan 2.5 %): Papich 5e (EU label): mastitis with systemic involvement 1 mg/kg (2 mL/50 kg of 2.5% suspension) IM once daily for 2 days. - Clinical mastitis — intramammary (Cobactan LC): Label-sourced — one 75 mg syringe per affected quarter after each of three consecutive milkings (q12h). Not dosed in Papich 5e; Plumb’s 10e cefquinome monograph (pp.216–218) gives injectable doses only, no intramammary regimen. Follow the local product label for meat and milk withdrawals. - Calf E. coli septicaemia: Papich 5e (EU label): E. coli septicaemia in calves 2 mg/kg (4 mL per 50 kg of the 2.5% suspension) IM once daily for 3–5 days. Follow the local label withdrawal. ## Contraindications Cephalosporin hypersensitivity. Severe renal failure. Not for use in calves intended for veal production. Withdrawal must be respected — see label. ## Species-specific warnings > **Caution:** Cattle: Approved for BRD, mastitis, metritis at 1 mg/kg IM q24h. Cobactan LC intramammary 24 h milk / 5 d slaughter withdrawal (shortest in class). > **Caution:** Goats: 2 mg/kg IM q24h (extra-label). Faster clearance than cattle. > **Caution:** Sheep: 2 mg/kg IM q24h (extra-label). > **Caution:** Pigs: 2 mg/kg IM q24h × 3–5 days. Approved for swine respiratory and arthritis. > **Caution:** Horses: 1 mg/kg IM q24h × 3–5 days. IM only — never IV. Risk of injection-site myopathy in some horses. > **Caution:** Rabbits: Avoid — fatal clostridial enterotoxaemia. ## Adverse effects - Local injection-site reaction - Hypersensitivity / urticaria (rare) - Transient inflammation at intramammary infusion site ## Drug interactions - Aminoglycosides: synergistic against Gram-negatives but additive nephrotoxicity in dehydrated patients - NSAIDs / loop diuretics: additive nephrotoxicity risk - Penicillins: cross-reactivity for hypersensitivity (~10%) - Other cephalosporins: cross-reactivity for hypersensitivity - Probenecid: prolongs cefquinome half-life - Calcium-containing IV fluids: do NOT co-infuse (precipitation risk) ## Pregnancy and lactation Safe in pregnant cattle, pigs, mares at label doses. Excreted in milk in low concentrations. Widely used in dairy cattle for mastitis (Cobactan LC intramammary). FDA Category B (human extrapolation). ## Monitoring - Withdrawal periods strictly: cattle 5 d slaughter / 24 h milk (Cobactan parenteral); 4 d milk discard (Cobactan LC intramammary) - Injection-site swelling / discoloration — rotate sites - Hypersensitivity signs especially first dose - Renal function on prolonged courses or in dehydrated patients - Use restraint — broad-spectrum 4th-gen ceph; reserve for documented resistant infections, not first-line ## Toxicity and overdose Wide therapeutic margin. Acute toxicity rare. Injection-site reaction (transient swelling, discomfort). Hypersensitivity (urticaria, rare anaphylaxis). Some reports of injection-site myopathy in horses — IM only. No significant nephro / hepato / haematologic toxicity at label doses. Discoloration of muscle at injection site (trim loss in food animals). Management: No specific antidote. Supportive: IV fluids, anti-emetic. Anaphylaxis standard protocol (epinephrine, antihistamine, corticosteroid). Injection-site reaction: NSAID + cold compress. ## Clinical pearls - Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) / metritis / foot rot: 1 mg/kg IM q24h × 3–5 days — Cobactan / Bactivon standard in Indian dairy - Bovine clinical mastitis (Cobactan LC): 75 mg per quarter q12h × 3 milkings — strict 24 h milk / 5 d slaughter withdrawal - Swine / sheep / goat: 2 mg/kg IM q24h (higher than cattle due to faster clearance) - Equine strangles: 1 mg/kg IM q24h × 3–5 days - RESERVE for documented Gram-negative resistance — 4th-gen overuse drives ESBL emergence - Cobactan LC mastitis: shortest milk discard (24 h) of any major intramammary 4th-gen ceph ## Mechanism of action Fourth-generation cephalosporin (veterinary-only — not used in human medicine). Zwitterionic structure penetrates Gram-negative outer membrane more effectively than 3rd-gen cephs. Binds penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs); inhibits peptidoglycan cross-linking. Bactericidal, time-dependent. Stable against most beta-lactamases including AmpC and many ESBLs. Broad spectrum: Gram-positive cocci (incl. beta-lactamase-producing Staphylococcus), most Gram-negatives including Pseudomonas (limited), respiratory pathogens (Mannheimia, Pasteurella, Histophilus, Mycoplasma). ## Formulations and products - Cobactan 2.5 % suspension 25 mg/mL (MSD) - Cobactan LC intramammary 75 mg per syringe (MSD — label-sourced) - Bactivon 500 mg vial + 15 mL solvent → 33.3 mg/mL (Intas) - Cobactan 2.5 % (MSD Animal Health) — 25 mg/mL, Injectable suspension - Cobactan LC (MSD Animal Health) — 75 mg per syringe, Intramammary syringe - Bactivon (Intas (Neovet)) — 500 mg, Vial + 15 mL solvent ## Storage Cobactan 2.5%: 15–25 °C, do NOT freeze. Shake well before use. Multidose vial: 28 days after broaching. Cobactan LC intramammary: 15–25 °C. Bactivon vial + WFI: 15–25 °C, use reconstituted within 24 h. ## Before you use this dose > **Caution:** Reference doses for veterinary professionals. Confirm the dose against the product label, the patient’s condition, current guidance and local regulations before use; the attending veterinarian remains responsible for every clinical decision. ## Other antibiotics - [Cefoperazone](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cefoperazone) - [Cefotaxime](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cefotaxime) - [Cefovecin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cefovecin) - [Cefpodoxime proxetil](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cefpodoxime) - [Ceftazidime](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/ceftazidime) - [Ceftiofur](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/ceftiofur) - [Ceftriaxone](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/ceftriaxone) - [Cefuroxime](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/cefuroxime) ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the dose of Cefquinome for cattle? Reference doses for Cefquinome in cattle: 1 mg/kg IM q24h for 3–5 days (Respiratory disease / digital dermatitis (Cobactan 2.5 %)); 1 mg/kg IM q24h for 2 days (Acute E. coli mastitis (systemic, Cobactan 2.5 %)); 75 mg per affected quarter (1 syringe) Intramammary q12h x 3 milkings (Clinical mastitis — intramammary (Cobactan LC)); 2 mg/kg IM q24h for 3–5 days (Calf E. coli septicaemia). Confirm against the label and the patient before use. ### What is the dose of Cefquinome for horses? Reference doses for Cefquinome in horses: 1 mg/kg IM q24h for 5–10 days (Streptococcus equi respiratory infection); 1 mg/kg IV q12h for 6–14 days (Foal E. coli septicaemia). Confirm against the label and the patient before use. ### Can Cefquinome be given to goats? Not established in Papich 5e or Plumb’s 10e — do not extrapolate from another species (No reference dose for this species). ### What is the withdrawal period for Cefquinome? Cattle, IM (Respiratory disease / digital dermatitis (Cobactan 2.5 %)): 5d slaughter / 24h milk; Cattle, IM (Acute E. coli mastitis (systemic, Cobactan 2.5 %)): 5d slaughter / 24h milk; Cattle, Intramammary (Clinical mastitis — intramammary (Cobactan LC)): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Cattle, IM (Calf E. coli septicaemia): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label; Pigs, IM (MMA / respiratory / arthritis / meningitis): Withdrawal NOT established — treat as extra-label. Follow the product label and national regulations where they differ. ### When should Cefquinome not be used? Cephalosporin hypersensitivity. Severe renal failure. Not for use in calves intended for veal production. Withdrawal must be respected — see label. ### What are the side effects of Cefquinome in animals? Local injection-site reaction; Hypersensitivity / urticaria (rare); Transient inflammation at intramammary infusion site. ## Sources - Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook - MSD Animal Health catalogue · Cobactan / Cobactan LC - Intas Animal Health catalogue · Bactivon - Papich, Papich Handbook of Veterinary Drugs, 5th edition --- VetMasterJi is a clinical decision-support and education platform for veterinary professionals and students. It does not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment for specific animals. All drug doses, calculators and differentials are references that must be independently verified before clinical use; the attending registered veterinarian remains solely responsible for every clinical decision.