Can You Give Penicillin To Foals?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can you give penicillin to foals? In addition, few oral antimicrobials for use in foals are available.

Penicillin V and amoxicillin have been used in neonatal foals

, but their antimicrobial spectrum is limited and the serum concentrations achieved at standard doses are poor.

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Can foals have penicillin?


Penicillin & gentamicin is most appropriate but care should be taken in foals with impaired renal function

. Trimethoprim / sulphonamide IV is an alternative.

How do they treat sepsis in foals?

Foals suspected of being septic should be placed on

broad-spectrum antibiotics active against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms

. Penicillin (22,000 IU/kg, IV, qid) in combination with amikacin sulfate (20–25 mg/kg/day, IV) provides good initial coverage until culture results are available.

Can penicillin be used on horses?


Penicillin is the drug of choice for treatment of streptococcal infections in horses

.

What antibiotics can be given to horses?

Some of the more common oral antibiotics in horses include

trimethoprim sulfa, metronidazole, enrofloxacin, and chloramphenicol

. Trimethoprim sulfa (SMZ, TMS, sulfa tabs) is an antibiotic which has a broad spectrum of activity against a variety of bacteria.

How much penicillin do you give a newborn foal?

Ticarcillin and ticarcillin–clavulanate combinations are effective extended-spectrum penicillins used to treat sepsis in foals. Recommended dose rates are

40 to 60 mg/kg IV q8h and 50 mg/kg IV q6h

, respectively.

How do you treat a respiratory infection in horses?

Treatment of mild to moderate cases of pneumonia can be successful, and typically includes

antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and supportive care

. In more severe cases, treatment can be challenging as permanent damage can be done to the lung tissue.

Why do foals get septic joints?

As was mentioned previously, septic arthritis and osteomyelitis in foals generally occurs from

hematogenous spread

. This is when an infectious process occurring in one area of the body, such as the umbilicus, travels into the blood stream (septicemia) and from there, into a bone and joint.

Where do systemic infections like to go in the foal?

The bacteria can enter the foal’s body

through the placenta, at the umbilicus, or through the nose or mouth

.

How is sepsis treated in horses?

Treatment of sepsis requires an intensive care approach that includes

antimicrobial drug administration, fluid resuscitation and pressure support, and treatment for inflammation, endotoxaemia and coagulopathy

. Early recognition of sepsis and prompt antimicrobial drug treatment are critical for a successful outcome.

How much penicillin can you give a horse?

DOSAGE: The dosage for cattle, sheep, swine, and horses is

3000 units per pound of body weight, or 1.0 mL for each 100 pounds of bodyweight, once daily

. Treatment should not exceed 7 days in non-lactating dairy and beef cattle, sheep, and swine, or 5 days in lactating dairy cattle.

Can you give injectable penicillin orally to a horse?


Penicillin V given orally was thus shown to be an acceptable alternative to parenteral administration of penicillin in the horse

.

Where do you give penicillin to a horse?

It’s crucial you don’t inject your horse without first knowing where to go and how to get there. There are two major destinations on your horse for you to choose from:

the neck and the rump

.

Can you give human antibiotics to horses?


Horses can tolerate only a small range of antibiotics compared to people, dogs, cats and livestock

. This is primarily because of the delicate balance of bacteria in the horse’s hindgut, which is crucial to digestion.

Can you give horses amoxicillin?

It was concluded that

sodium amoxicillin administration at 15 mg kg-1 four times a day should be effective in the treatment of several systemic infections in the horse

.

Does Tractor Supply have antibiotics for horses?


Horse Antibiotics & Vaccinations

| Tractor Supply Co.

Is animal penicillin the same as human penicillin?



The penicillin used for fish and that sort of thing are actually the exact same pills [as antibiotics for humans]

,” Shecktor says.

What do you do with a newborn foal?

  1. Make sure the foal is breathing.
  2. Put iodine on the foal’s umbilical stump.
  3. Make sure the foal (including orphan foals) receives colostrum soon after birth.
  4. Make sure the foal is protected against tetanus, either through the colostrum or by a tetanus antitoxin injection.

What do you do for a foal with diarrhea?

Foals older than 30 days can also develop severe diarrhea which needs immediate veterinary attention. Treatment for foals with serious diarrhea often consists of

intravenous (IV) fluids

. This not only replenishes the lost fluids but can help correct imbalances in electrolytes such as potassium, sodium, and chloride.

What antibiotics treat pneumonia in horses?

Commonly used antibiotics include

penicillin, gentamicin, oral sulfa antibiotics, Baytril, Naxcel or Excede

. Obtaining a rectal temperature one to two times per day is recommended. Not every horse that chokes will need to be hospitalized. However, if a fever of 102.0 F develops, hospitalization may be required.

How do you tell if a horse has a respiratory infection?

Equine respiratory infections affect the breathing, feeding and performance of horses. Common signs of a respiratory infection include

a cough, runny nose, fever and depressed or listless behavior

. Diseases of the respiratory tract are common in winter, spring and fall.

What is the most common infectious respiratory disease of horses?


Equine influenza virus

is one of the most common infectious upper respiratory diseases of the horse. It is widespread in the equine population of the United States and throughout the world. It spreads quickly because the incubation period is only 24 to 48 hours, and the virus can be transmitted through the air.

Can foals recover from joint ill?


Most commonly, foals respond well to the treatment of the infected joint

but suffer from other problems associated with reduced immunity due to failure of passive transfer or secondary issues from long-term clinical treatment.

Can a horse recover from a joint infection?

Researchers evaluated racehorses (Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds) with joint infections. They found that

85 percent of aggressively treated horses survived and 56 percent returned to racing

. The outcome for foals with septic joints is poor. Studies report that 42 to 84 percent of foals with infected joints survive.

How long does it take for a horse to recover from a joint infection?

After surgery the horses are monitored carefully for any increase in lameness and often the joints are “re-tapped” every couple of days to ensure the infection is resolving. Once the infection is under control the horse usually needs a further

4-6 weeks

of further rest before recommencing gradual exercise.

What is sepsis foals?

Equine neonatal sepsis, defined as “

life threatening organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection

,” is a major cause of death in foals less than 7 days old. 1 Septicemia carries a guarded prognosis and remains a major cause of equine neonatal morbidity and mortality.

How do horses get bacterial infections?

Horses: In horses, the bacteria are transmitted through

contaminated feed or water

. Transmission can also occur by direct contact with infected individuals or surfaces that have been contaminated with manure from an infected individual.

What is septicemia horse?

Septicemia is defined as

the presence of bacteria or bacterial toxins in the bloodstream

, and it is the most common cause of death in newborn foals. Septicemia can manifest as pneumonia, diarrhea, meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord), and joint and/or umbilical infections in the foal.

How long does it take for penicillin to work in horses?

Where do you inject penicillin?

Penicillin G injection is

usually injected into a muscle or vein but may also be given directly into the lining of the chest cavity, into the fluid surrounding the spinal cord, or into a joint or other areas

.

How much is a bottle of penicillin for horses?

ITEM ITEM SIZE SIZE PRICE PRICE Item: 47051 ** Size:

100 ml


$14.95
Item: 1553RX ** Size: 100 ml (California Rx Only) $14.95 Item: 47052 ** Size: 250 ml $25.59 Item: 1554RX ** Size: 250 ml (California Rx Only) $24.95

Can antibiotics cause colic in horses?

How do you mix a penicillin shot?

Reconstitution of the suspension for intramuscular injection: The suspension must be prepared aseptically.

The contents of the vial should be reconstituted in at least 2ml (0.6 Million I.U.), 3.5ml (1.2 Million I.U.), or 5ml (2.4 Million I.U.) of diluent

(e.g. water for injections which is included in the pack).

How do you give a penicillin injection?

The usual dose is 10 mg per kg (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight every six to eight hours. For injection dosage form:

Adults and teenagers—500 mg to 2 grams injected into a vein or muscle every four to six hours

. Infants and children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.

What happens if penicillin is injected into a vein?

Penicillin G benzathine injection should never be given intravenously (into a vein) because this

may cause serious or life-threatening side effects or death

.

How long should a horse be on antibiotics?

A number of antibiotics can be administered orally, in pills or pastes. Often, the medication must be given two or three times a day, for

five days or a week at minimum

. Sometimes that treatment needs to go on for months.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.