What Is Baytril?

Baytril is a broad-spectrum floroquinolone antibiotic for use in companion animals and livestock. It is manufactured by Bayer's animal health division; it is prescribed for the treatment of several types of infections as well as preventative care in livestock. Several formulations are available, including liquid that can be added to drinking water or food, flavored tablets, regular tablets and a solution for injection.

  1. Function

    • Baytril is used for the treatment of skin, urinary tract and respiratory infections in dogs and cats. It is effective against gram-negative and some gram-positive bacterial infections including those caused by Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus intermedius, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis. It is also used for the flock treatment of poultry, especially for respiratory infection. In cattle and pigs, Baytril is primarily used to treat mastitis, enteritic disease and respiratory infections.

    Considerations

    • Baytril, like all antibiotics, is not effective in the treatment of viral infections unless a secondary bacterial infection occurs. Because of the risk of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, Baytril should not be used unless it is clearly indicated. Baytril may increase the concentration of theophylline in animals; therefore, caution should be used when these drugs are taken simultaneously. Sucralfate may limit the absorption of Baytril; these medications should be taken at least two hours apart. Taking Baytril with cyclosporine can increase the risk of kidney damage caused by cyclosporine; other antibiotics should be considered in animals that must take cyclosporine.

    Effects

    • Baytril does not usually cause noticeable side effects, but some animals may experience nausea, appetite loss, diarrhea or vomiting when treated with this drug. These side effects are much more common when high dosages are used. Because Baytril is associated with cartilage damage in puppies, it should not be prescribed in dogs under eight months of age unless absolutely necessary. This effect has not been noted in other animals. Uric acid crystals may occur in the urine of animals taking Baytril; although clinically insignificant, this effect can alter the results of laboratory tests. Baytril has been associated with retinal damage when used in cats, although this effect is rare and the risk does not usually preclude the use of this medication.

    Time Frame

    • Baytril is typically prescribed once daily for the duration of treatment--usually five to 10 days. When infection is particularly severe, Baytril may need to be taken for up to 30 days. The entire course of treatment must be completed, even if symptoms are no longer present. When Baytril is used in the treatment of livestock, meat and eggs produced by the treated animals must not be sold for human consumption until a sufficient waiting period has passed since the medication was last administered. This waiting period is set by the USDA and is based on the time it takes for all but a clinically insignificant amount of the drug to be eliminated from tissues.

    History

    • The active ingredient in Baytril is enrofloxacin, a third-generation quinolone antibiotic. It was discovered in 1980 by Bayer researchers Grohe and Peterson. Enrofloxacin is used only in the treatment of animals, but other quinolones are used in human medicine. The first of the quinolones, nalidixic acid, was discovered in 1962 and used to treat kidney infections. It was discovered accidentally during the development of anti-malarial drugs.