Broad-Spectrum Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic Tablets for Bacterial Infections in Pets Product Description Ciprofloxacin 500mg Tablets are a prescription fluoroquinolone antibiotic used by veterinarians for dogs, cats, and horses dealing with a broad variety of bacterial infections. It targets bacterial DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV enzymes, shutting down replication and pushing organisms toward cell death. The 500mg strength suits large dogs where lower strengths need multiple tablets, and sometimes stands in off-label for enrofloxacin when a higher milligram amount is needed. Never used in food-producing animals. Benefits Broad Bacterial Coverage: Takes on a wide range of susceptible gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria behind infections in dogs and cats. Urinary Tract Infection Treatment: Covers urinary tract and kidney infections from susceptible bacteria in dogs and cats. Skin and Wound Infections: Works against skin infections, soft tissue wounds, and post-surgical wound infections in dogs and cats. Respiratory Infection Coverage: Goes after respiratory tract infections from susceptible bacterial organisms in dogs, cats, and horses. Large Dog Dose Convenience: The 500mg tablet lands on the right single-tablet dose for many large dogs, cutting the number of tablets needed per dose. Ingredients Active Ingredients Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride 500mg How to Use Ciprofloxacin 500mg Tablets are a prescription-only medication. A valid veterinarian prescription is required to purchase this product. Please follow your veterinarian's specific instructions for the dosage and administration of this medication for your pet. Disclaimer: Dosage and administration of this medication must be determined by a licensed veterinarian. Always consult your veterinarian before administering or adjusting any prescription medication for your pet. Tucking the tablet into a soft pill pocket or pill wrap treat makes giving it simple and stress-free. Shop Pill Pockets for Dogs | Shop Pill Pockets for Cats Additional Information Precautions Not for Young Animals: Dogs and cats under one year, and large breed dogs under two years, should not receive this medication due to the risk of cartilage damage to developing joints. Extreme Caution in Cats With Kidney Failure: Cats with pre-existing kidney failure carry a significantly higher risk of serious adverse effects and need very careful management on this medication. Not for Food-Producing Animals: The FDA prohibits ciprofloxacin in food-producing animals and it should never be given to livestock or poultry under any circumstances. Avoid in Pregnancy and Breeding: Pregnant, lactating, or breeding animals should not receive this medication, as it can harm developing joint cartilage in offspring. Avoid Antacids and Mineral Products: Antacids, sucralfate, iron supplements, dairy, and aluminum-containing products should be kept at least two hours away from each ciprofloxacin dose. Caution in Seizure and CNS Disorders: Animals with a seizure history, epilepsy, or CNS disorders need careful management, as fluoroquinolones can bring the seizure threshold down. Drug Interaction Risk: Share a full list of your pet's current medications, including warfarin, theophylline, cyclosporine, NSAIDs, probenecid, and insulin, with your veterinarian before starting ciprofloxacin. Possible Side Effects Digestive Upset: Loose stools, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea are among the more commonly seen reactions to ciprofloxacin in dogs and cats. Cartilage Damage in Young Animals: Giving this medication to puppies, kittens, or young large breed dogs risks permanent damage to developing joint cartilage and lameness. Liver Enzyme Elevation: Abnormal liver enzyme results can show up in some pets and are worth tracking during longer treatment periods. Neurological Signs: Tremors, seizures, and CNS stimulation are rare but serious and need immediate emergency veterinary care. Serious Allergic Reactions: Facial swelling, hives, trouble breathing, or collapse all point to a severe allergic reaction needing immediate emergency veterinary care. Storage Information Room Temperature: Tablets do best at room temperature inside a tightly closed container, kept away from heat and humidity. Protect From Light and Moisture: A dark, dry spot away from direct sunlight is the right place to keep these tablets and hold their full potency. Out of Reach: Keep this medication somewhere children and untreated animals in the home cannot get to it. NOTE: For generic medications, the product image shown may not reflect the actual item received. Generic medications can vary in size, color, and shape between orders depending on the manufacturer. Additionally, your medication may arrive packaged in a HardyPaw Pharmacy vial. Shipping & Return We offer ground, express, and priority delivery; see our shipping policy for details. For return instructions or product concerns, please refer to our detailed refund policy. Prescription items are NON-RETURNABLE and NON-REFUNDABLE. Frequently Asked Questions Q1: What bacterial infections does ciprofloxacin 500mg treat in dogs and cats? Ans: Urinary tract infections, kidney infections, skin and soft tissue infections, wound infections, and respiratory tract infections from susceptible bacteria in dogs, cats, and horses all sit within ciprofloxacin's treatment range. It is used when culture results confirm susceptibility or when other antibiotics have not gotten on top of the infection. Q2: How does ciprofloxacin compare to enrofloxacin for dogs? Ans: Both are fluoroquinolones going after the same bacterial organisms, but enrofloxacin carries FDA veterinary approval while ciprofloxacin does not. Oral absorption of ciprofloxacin in dogs tends to be more variable and generally lower, which puts enrofloxacin ahead when it is available. Ciprofloxacin comes into play when a larger milligram dose is what the situation calls for or enrofloxacin is not on hand. Q3: Why should ciprofloxacin not be given to puppies or young dogs? Ans: Fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin interfere with cartilage development in young animals, and the risk sits highest in puppies and kittens under one year and large breed dogs under two. The result can be lameness and lasting joint damage that does not reverse. When young animals need antibiotic treatment, a safer alternative will be chosen instead. Q4: Why must antacids and sucralfate not be given alongside ciprofloxacin? Ans: Products like antacids, sucralfate, dairy, and iron supplements latch onto ciprofloxacin in the gut through chelation and pull enough of it out of circulation that therapeutic levels cannot be maintained. When drug levels drop that low, the infection may not clear. Keeping all of these at least two hours away from each dose is the right way to avoid that. Q5: Is ciprofloxacin safe for cats with chronic kidney disease? Ans: Cats with pre-existing kidney failure need very careful handling with ciprofloxacin because the kidneys' reduced ability to clear the drug raises the chance of it building up to levels that cause harm. A veterinarian will usually lean toward a fluoroquinolone or antibiotic that sits more comfortably in a cat with compromised kidney function. Sharing the cat's full health history before starting is important. Clinical Research Comparative In Vitro Quality Evaluation of Ciprofloxacin Tablets From Drug Retail Outlets In Addis Ababa Ethiopia Ciprofloxacin: In Vitro Activity, Mechanism of Action, and Resistance
