Baytril is the brand name of a veterinary prescription medication. By using fluoroquinolones, Baytril is used to treat a variety of bacterial infections, such as those found in the liver, lungs or urinary tract; however, Baytril is probably best known for treating ear infections. The fluoroquinolones in Baytril disrupt the replication of bacterial DNA, killing the harmful bacteria and ending the infection. It is available in two forms--a chewable tablet which can be given to either cats or dogs or in liquid drops that are used for dogs only.
Instructions
Tablets
Ensure your pet has an empty stomach by monitoring their food intake. Your pet is much less likely to reject the medication if they are at least a bit hungry when it is presented.
Prepare to offer the Baytril tablets one hour before mealtime or two hours after eating. However, allow your pet to have as much water as she'd like.
Give dogs 2.27 to 9.0 mg of Baytril for each pound of body weight one time per day. The exact dosage amount is based on a variety of factors including the animal's specific condition. If you're unsure of the exact dosage, contact your veterinarian.
Give cats 1.13 mg of Baytril per pound of body weight two times per day, making sure the second dose is given approximately 12 hours after the first. Again, confirm the exact dosage before administering.
Provide the medication for 14 days, even though the infection will seem to have vanished well before then. This ensures the entire population of harmful bacteria has been destroyed.
Ear Drops
Shake the bottle of drops until you are certain the contents are well blended.
Hold the dog's head at an angle, so that the infected ear is tilted upward.
Squeeze five to 10 drops of Baytril drops into the ear, being sure to cover any visible sites of infection while guiding the remaining medication into the ear canal.
Fold the outer flap of the dog's ear over the canal and gently rub, massaging the medication into the affected area and facilitating an even and extensive distribution of the drops throughout the ear.
Use the drops two times a day for two full weeks, even if it seems as if the infection has been eradicated.