Cefquinome

Cefquinome is a fourth-generation cephalosporin developed for veterinary use. Injectable and intramammary products are used principally in cattle and pigs, with certain formulations also used in horses. Its clinical applications include susceptible respiratory infections, neonatal systemic infections and mastitis, with the precise species and indication determined by the product.

Group

Fourth-generation cephalosporin

Mechanism of Action

Cefquinome inhibits bacterial cell-wall synthesis by binding penicillin-binding proteins and preventing peptidoglycan cross-linking. Its structure supports rapid penetration of susceptible bacteria and relative stability against several beta-lactamases, contributing to broad gram-positive and gram-negative activity. Loss of cell-wall integrity produces bactericidal effects. Antibacterial activity is time dependent and relies on adequate exposure at the infected tissue.

Dose Rates

Dogs

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Bacterial infections	2 mg/kg	IV, IM, SC	Every 12 h	Product formulation determines the permitted route and schedule; automatic product matching cannot distinguish release forms.

Cats

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Bacterial infections	2 mg/kg	IV, IM, SC	Every 12 h	Product formulation determines the permitted route and schedule; automatic product matching cannot distinguish release forms.

Cattle

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Bovine respiratory disease with 7.5% suspension	2.5 mg/kg	IM	Every 48 h	Release/formulation-specific 7.5% suspension; do not substitute a 2.5% product without changing the regimen. Product formulation determines the permitted route and schedule; automatic product matching cannot distinguish release forms.
Respiratory disease and foot rot	1 mg/kg	IM	Every 24 h	Up to 5 days; 2.5% suspension; course 3–5 days. Product formulation determines the permitted route and schedule; automatic product matching cannot distinguish release forms.
Systemic Escherichia coli mastitis	1 mg/kg	IM	Every 24 h	Up to 2 days; 2.5% suspension. Product formulation determines the permitted route and schedule; automatic product matching cannot distinguish release forms.
Escherichia coli septicemia	2 mg/kg	IM	Every 24 h	Up to 5 days; Calves only. 2.5% suspension; course 3–5 days. Product formulation determines the permitted route and schedule; automatic product matching cannot distinguish release forms.
Susceptible infection with 2.5% suspension	1 mg/kg	IM	Every 24 h	Up to 5 days; Cobactan 2.5%: initial course 3–5 days; all injections IM, with subsequent doses at a different site. Not the 7.5% long-acting product.

Pigs

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Respiratory infection	2 mg/kg	IM	Every 24 h	Up to 2 days; Inject in the neck; 2.5% suspension. Product formulation determines the permitted route and schedule; automatic product matching cannot distinguish release forms.
Piglet meningitis, arthritis or dermatitis	2 mg/kg	IM	Every 24 h	Up to 5 days; Piglets; 2.5% suspension. Product formulation determines the permitted route and schedule; automatic product matching cannot distinguish release forms.
Susceptible infection with 2.5% suspension	2 mg/kg	IM	Every 24 h	Up to 3 days; Cobactan 2.5%: three consecutive days; use separate sites for subsequent injections.

Horses

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Streptococcal respiratory infection	1 mg/kg	IV, IM	Every 24 h	Up to 10 days; 4.5% solution; course 5–10 days. Do not use an injectable suspension intravenously. Product formulation determines the permitted route and schedule; automatic product matching cannot distinguish release forms.
Escherichia coli septicemia	1 mg/kg	IV, IM	Every 12 h	Up to 14 days; Foals only. 4.5% solution; course 6–14 days. Do not use an injectable suspension intravenously. Product formulation determines the permitted route and schedule; automatic product matching cannot distinguish release forms.

Indications

Treatment of susceptible bovine respiratory disease, including infections involving Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida or Histophilus somni.
Treatment of susceptible Escherichia coli septicemia in calves and bacterial interdigital infection in cattle, according to the product indication.
Treatment of susceptible mastitis in dairy cattle using the corresponding intramammary or injectable formulation.
Treatment of susceptible swine respiratory disease and mastitis–metritis–agalactia syndrome.
Treatment of susceptible bacterial arthritis, meningitis or dermatitis in piglets where included in the product indication.
Treatment of susceptible respiratory infection in horses and bacterial septicemia in foals with an equine formulation.

Contraindications

Cephalosporin hypersensitivity; assess prior severe beta-lactam allergy.

Interactions

Avoid mixing with other drugs in the same vial or syringe unless compatibility is established.

Adverse effects

Hypersensitivity
Gastrointestinal upset
Injection-site reactions with parenteral products

Preparations

Preparation	Form	Strength	Route
Cobactan 2.5% suspension 25 mg/mL Cefquinome 25 mg/mL as sulfate equivalent to 29.64 mg sulfate/mL. Shake well. The Indian product information specifies storage at 2–8°C protected from light; do not substitute another release formulation.	Injection	25 mg / mL	IM

Monitoring and Administration

Choose treatment using organism identity, infection site and susceptibility testing. Reassess clinical response and renal function where impaired clearance may increase exposure.

Food-animal authorization and withdrawal periods depend on the exact formulation, species, regimen and jurisdiction; do not transfer foreign approvals or residue intervals to another product.

Intramammary cefquinome 75 mg in an 8 g syringe is described, but no treatment schedule is supplied; the route is also outside the calculator.

Opened suspensions have a described 28-day shelf life. The reconstituted 4.5% IV solution has a described 10-day refrigerated shelf life. Monitor CBC during prolonged high-dose treatment.

Presentations include 2.5% and 7.5% suspensions and a 4.5% reconstituted solution. These differ in permitted routes and dosing schedules; a generic concentration-only match cannot safely select them.

The verified 2.5% product is cefquinome active-equivalent strength, not 25 mg sulfate salt. Its cattle course is 1 mg/kg IM daily for 3–5 days and pig course 2 mg/kg IM daily for three days. This resolves the preparation denominator for those specific regimens only.