Produced by Pfizer Animal Health, Zeniquin is a brand name for the prescription medication oral marbofloxacin. Veterinarians commonly prescribe Zeniquin for the treatment of some types of infections caused by bacteria in dogs and cats.
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Function
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As a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, Zeniquin functions by preventing bacterial cells from making copies of the genetic material they use to replicate. Without being able to make more cells, the bacteria eventually dies.
Uses
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Veterinarians prescribe Zeniquin for the treatment of skin, urinary tract and soft tissue, such as fat or muscles in both dogs and cats.
Dosage
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Veterinarians typically prescribe 1.25 mg of Zeniquin per pound of body weight once per day, but the dosage can safely be increased to as much as 2.5 mg for severe infections, reports Pfizer Animal Health.
Time Frame
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For skin and soft tissue infections, animals should continue taking Zeniquin until two days after symptoms of the infection subside, but should not take the drug for more than 30 consecutive days, according to Pfizer Animal Health. For urinary infections, a typical course of Zeniquin treatment requires at least 10 days.
Risks
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The most common side-effects of Zeniquin include loss of appetite, decreased activity and vomiting, which occur in 2.9 percent to 5.4 percent of animals, Pfizer Animal Health reports. Some dogs experience other side-effects like increased thirst, diarrhea, behavioral changes and lack of coordination.
Warning
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Zeniquin is not safe for small- and medium-breed dogs that are 8 months of age or younger or large dogs less than a year old, as the drug has the potential to interfere with bone development. There is no minimum age for use in cats, according to Pfizer Animal Health.
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