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Choose the species
One selection filters the source overview, clinical facts, reports and dose calculator. Literature references are not species-filtered.
Choose one species for its overview and dose calculator, or all species to browse the full evidence.
Source overview
Recorded excerpts for one species. Each dose remains a separate source entry; no regimen is selected.
Choose one species to view its source overview. All-species evidence remains available below.
View full clinical evidence and sources ↓Clinical evidence
Pending clinical review (PROPOSED)Rule-based (RULE_BASED)— applies to the facts and dose entries in this species selection; individual source records retain their own status.
Indications2
Anaerobic infections (Clostridium, Bacteroides incl. fragilis); rickettsiae (RMSF); some gram-negatives (Salmonella, Brucella, Haemophilus); otitis; meningitis (CSF penetration); alternatives for multidrug-resistant organisms
DogCatExtra-label (EXTRA_LABEL)2 source records · View provenance
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Anaerobic infections (Clostridium, Bacteroides incl. fragilis); rickettsiae (RMSF); some gram-negatives (Salmonella, Brucella, Haemophilus); otitis; meningitis (CSF penetration); alternatives for multidrug-resistant organisms — Extra-label in USA for food animals (FDA-prohibited — permanent residue concerns)
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Original excerpt: Anaerobic infections (Clostridium, Bacteroides incl. fragilis); rickettsiae (RMSF); some gram-negatives (Salmonella, Brucella, Haemophilus); otitis; meningitis (CSF penetration); alternatives for multidrug-resistant organisms — Extra-label in USA for food animals (FDA-prohibited — permanent residue concerns)
- Dog · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Indications table · Not applicable · Extra-label (EXTRA_LABEL) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Dose regimens2
This calculator performs arithmetic only on the sourced dosing field shown for each result — it does not verify the field's accuracy, does not select which field to use for a patient, and does not replace a veterinarian's order. Not for clinical use. Confirm every result against the primary source before dispensing.
Choose one species above to view its dose calculator.
Adverse effects149
Reversible dose-related marrow suppression (myeloid/erythroid vacuolation, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia in cats) — Long-term therapy
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
"Gray baby syndrome"-analog — Neonates/deficient conjugation
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, depression — Common GI
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Aplastic anemia — HUMAN idiosyncratic risk (~1/24,000–40,000) — the reason for handler care and food-animal ban
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Side Effects / Adverse Effects table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
These are counts of spontaneously reported events, not proven adverse effects, causal relationships, or incidence rates.
Bars compare report counts within each species; they do not show incidence.
More reportsFewer reportsDog
- Vomiting15 reports
- Death by euthanasia11 reports
- Diarrhoea11 reports
- Lethargy (see also Central nervous system depression in 'Neurological')10 reports
- Anorexia9 reports
- Accidental exposure5 reports
- Ataxia5 reports
- Behavioural disorder NOS5 reports
- Deafness5 reports
- Depression5 reports
- Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT)5 reports
- Head tilt - ear disorder5 reports
Cat
- Anorexia5 reports
- Conjunctivitis3 reports
- Death3 reports
- Eye irritation3 reports
- Ataxia2 reports
- Balance problem2 reports
- Blepharospasm2 reports
- Eye pain2 reports
- Eye redness2 reports
- Hyperactivity2 reports
- Lack of efficacy (bacteria) - NOS2 reports
- Vocalisation2 reports
Monitoring1
CBC with platelets q1–2 weeks on therapy (earlier myeloid vacuolation signals); GI signs
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Monitoring Parameters · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Contraindications1
Food-producing animals — FDA-prohibited (extralabel AND label); neonates; breeding/pregnant animals
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Precautions5
Hepatic failure (reduce dose); cats on prolonged high-dose (50 mg/kg q12h × 2–3 wk = high adverse incidence — monitor closely)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Contraindications & Warnings table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
CSF/eye/prostate penetration is chloramphenicol's superpower — historically the drug for CNS infections when culture supports it.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
The 50S site is shared with macrolides/lincosamides — never combine (mutual antagonism).
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Human aplastic anemia is the pharmacy-side concern: dispense with gloves warning, keep owners from direct contact with crushed tablets, and it's illegal in food animals.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Cats: q12h not q8h, watch thrombocyte counts; dogs tolerate q8h at 40–60 mg/kg.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Clinical pearl · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Interactions5
Phenytoin, phenobarbital — Chloramphenicol inhibits their metabolism → toxicity (and PB lowers chloramphenicol in some species)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Warfarin — Bleeding risk ↑ (CYP inhibition)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Erythromycin/clindamycin/tylosin (50S competitors) — Antagonism — don't stack
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Bactericidal antibiotics (beta-lactams, aminoglycosides) — Theoretical antagonism (static vs cidal)
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Digoxin — ↑ levels reported
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Drug Interactions table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pharmacokinetics3
Half-life — Cat ≫ dog (cats slow glucuronidation → accumulation)
CatNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Cat · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Distribution — Excellent — penetrates CSF, prostate, eye
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Metabolism — Hepatic glucuronidation
Other speciesNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Other species · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Pharmacokinetics table · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Pregnancy / lactation considerations1
Human FDA category C; fetal bone marrow protein-synthesis risk — only if benefits clearly outweigh.
Species not recordedNot applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE)1 source record · View provenance
- Species not recorded · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 7th ed., p. 250–252 — Pregnancy & Lactation · Not applicable · Not applicable (NOT_APPLICABLE) · Pending clinical review (PROPOSED) · Rule-based
Literature references17
References are linked to this drug. Species applicability is not recorded here, so the species filter does not narrow this list. Imported dates do not retain their original precision; confirm dates in the original citation.
- Antimicrobial resistance profiles and whole-genome sequence analysis of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production in commensal Escherichia coli from poultry in Türkiye.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Balancing Act: Dual targeting of PhoPQ and QseBC two-component systems in Edwardsiella tarda enhances attenuation but diminishes protective immunity.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Retail cattle meat as a reservoir of multidrug-resistant Salmonella harboring β-lactamase genes in Sylhet, Bangladesh.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Antimicrobial resistance and genetic characterization of Clostridium perfringens isolated from companion animals in South Korea, 2018-2024.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
- Virulence and Antimicrobial Resistance Traits of Escherichia coli Retrieved from Fermented Dairy Products During Ramadan in Egypt: Seasonal Public Health Implications.
Study summary not available in the imported record. Open the original citation to review the study.
Sources: PubMed, National Library of Medicine; openFDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; Plumb DC. Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook. 7th ed. PharmaVet Inc; 2011.
Owner information handout
Plain-language medication information to review with the owner. Open the handout to print it or download a PDF.
Available products
Products listed in the Health Canada Drug Product Database for this active ingredient. A listing does not establish that a product is authorized for the clinical uses described on this page.