# Mupirocin: veterinary dose and monograph

> Mupirocin is a veterinary antibiotic. A TOPICAL antibiotic with excellent activity against Gram-positive bacteria — especially staphylococci including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA/MRSP) — used for LOCALISED bacterial skin infections (focal/deep pyoderma, interdigital… Indications include localised / focal bacterial pyoderma (Staphylococcus pseudintermedius), including MRSP, where topical therapy suffices; interdigital furunculosis / focal deep pyoderma (spot treatment); impetigo, infected wounds, hot spots (localised). This monograph lists 2 reference doses for dogs and cats, each with route, frequency and source.

Source: https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/mupirocin · Last reviewed: 2026-10-01

## At a glance

- **Drug class:** Antibiotic
- **Also known as:** Bactroban, Pseudomonic acid, Supirocin, T-Bact
- **Species with doses:** Dogs and Cats
- **Routes:** Topical
- **Last reviewed:** 1 October 2026

## Indications

- Localised / focal bacterial pyoderma (Staphylococcus pseudintermedius), including MRSP, where topical therapy suffices
- Interdigital furunculosis / focal deep pyoderma (spot treatment)
- Impetigo, infected wounds, hot spots (localised)
- Topical anti-staph spot therapy to reduce systemic antibiotic use

## Mupirocin 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.

### Dogs

*Mupirocin doses for dogs*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Localised pyoderma / focal staph lesion | Thin layer of 2% ointment to the lesion q12h | Topical | q12h | — |

- Localised pyoderma / focal staph lesion: Plumb’s topical monograph: labelled for twice-daily application in dogs; needs 10 min contact. Penetrates deep granulomatous pyoderma; not for burns (polyethylene glycol base — nephrotoxicity warning over large areas). Prevent licking.

### Cats

*Mupirocin doses for cats*

| Indication | Dose | Route | Frequency | Duration |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Localised staph infection / feline acne | Thin layer of 2% ointment q12–24h; maintenance 1–2 times weekly (acne) | Topical | q12–24h | — |

- Localised staph infection / feline acne: Plumb’s topical monograph: feline acne — once to twice daily until controlled, then some cats are maintained with 1–2 applications per week. Prevent grooming of the site.

## Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity. Large denuded areas / extensive application (the polyethylene-glycol vehicle can be absorbed and is nephrotoxic over big raw areas). Systemic infection needing systemic therapy. Overuse (resistance selection in MRSP). Avoid ingestion (prevent grooming of the site).

## Adverse effects

- Local irritation / contact reaction
- Hypersalivation/GI upset if licked
- Systemic vehicle (PEG) absorption/nephrotoxicity only if applied to large raw areas

## Drug interactions

- No significant systemic drug interactions (topical use)
- Avoid combining with other topical agents that could select resistance unnecessarily

## Pregnancy and lactation

Topical use is low-risk (negligible systemic absorption).

## Monitoring

- Lesion resolution (focal pyoderma)
- Local tolerance; prevent licking
- Reserve for focal use (avoid widespread/prolonged application — resistance and vehicle absorption)

## Toxicity and overdose

Very safe topically — local irritation is the main effect. The polyethylene-glycol vehicle can be absorbed and is potentially nephrotoxic ONLY if applied over large raw/denuded areas — so restrict to focal lesions. Overuse risks selecting mupirocin resistance in MRSP.

Management: Rinse/discontinue for irritation; supportive care if a large area was treated (monitor renal function — vehicle absorption). No specific antidote needed.

## Clinical pearls

- A focused topical weapon against staph — including MRSP/MRSA — ideal for FOCAL deep pyoderma/interdigital lesions to avoid (or reduce) systemic antibiotics
- Use it for LOCALISED lesions: applying it over large raw areas risks PEG-vehicle absorption/nephrotoxicity
- Reserve and rotate — mupirocin resistance in MRSP develops with overuse; a unique mechanism is worth protecting
- Prevent the animal licking the site (keeps the drug on and avoids GI upset)

## Mechanism of action

Mupirocin reversibly binds bacterial isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, blocking incorporation of isoleucine into proteins and halting bacterial protein (and RNA) synthesis — bacteriostatic/bactericidal against Gram-positives, especially staphylococci. Its unique target gives no cross-resistance with other antibiotic classes; high local skin concentrations are achievable topically while systemic absorption is negligible.

## Formulations and products

- Topical ointment 2 %
- Bactroban / T-Bact — 2 % ointment, Topical ointment (human-label)
- Supirocin — 2 % ointment, Topical ointment (human-label)

## Storage

Ointment: 15–30 °C, protect from heat; keep tightly closed.

## 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

- [Linezolid](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/linezolid)
- [Marbofloxacin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/marbofloxacin)
- [Meropenem](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/meropenem)
- [Minocycline](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/minocycline)
- [Neomycin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/neomycin)
- [Nitrofurantoin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/nitrofurantoin)
- [Norfloxacin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/norfloxacin)
- [Orbifloxacin](https://vetmasterji.com/drugs/orbifloxacin)

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the dose of Mupirocin for dogs?

Reference doses for Mupirocin in dogs: Thin layer of 2% ointment to the lesion q12h Topical q12h (Localised pyoderma / focal staph lesion). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### What is the dose of Mupirocin for cats?

Reference doses for Mupirocin in cats: Thin layer of 2% ointment q12–24h; maintenance 1–2 times weekly (acne) Topical q12–24h (Localised staph infection / feline acne). Confirm against the label and the patient before use.

### When should Mupirocin not be used?

Known hypersensitivity. Large denuded areas / extensive application (the polyethylene-glycol vehicle can be absorbed and is nephrotoxic over big raw areas). Systemic infection needing systemic therapy. Overuse (resistance selection in MRSP). Avoid ingestion (prevent grooming of the site).

### What are the side effects of Mupirocin in animals?

Local irritation / contact reaction; Hypersalivation/GI upset if licked; Systemic vehicle (PEG) absorption/nephrotoxicity only if applied to large raw areas.

## Sources

- Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
- Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th edition

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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.