Marbofloxacin

What is this medication for?

• Skin/soft tissue, bone, UTI, pneumonia, intracellular organisms (Mycoplasma haemofelis)

How is it given?

Give exactly as your veterinarian prescribed — never change the dose or stop on your own unless your veterinarian has told you to.

What if I miss a dose?

• Give it as soon as you remember — unless it is almost time for the next dose (then skip the missed one; never double up).
• Call your clinic if you miss more than one dose in a row.

Side effects — what should I watch for?

Effects listed as common in this handout

• stomach/intestinal (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), decreased activity (Occasional)
• Cartilage/articular injury (Young dogs (4–28 wk) and cats (8 mo, high doses 17–28 mg/kg x 42 days))

Worth a phone call to your veterinarian

• Ocular toxicity (No confirmed clinical cases in cats at labeled doses (unlike enrofloxacin); manufacturer studies at 3–5x dose showed no ocular lesions)

⚠️ Contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic IMMEDIATELY if you notice

• Trouble breathing, collapse, seizures, severe vomiting or diarrhea, facial swelling, or pale gums

Before starting (or refilling), tell your veterinarian if your pet:

• has or has had: Fluoroquinolone hypersensitivity; food-producing animals (US)
• has or has had: Young/growing animals (cartilage injury risk); seizure-prone patients

• is pregnant, nursing, or used for breeding
• is taking any other medications, supplements, or flea/tick products, including:
  • Antacids/cations (aluminum, iron, calcium — e.g., sucralfate)
  • Theophylline

Storage and handling

Room temperature, protect from light. Do not compound with iron/calcium-containing ingredients (chelation).

Good to know

• Appears to carry a lower reported risk of feline retinal toxicity than enrofloxacin at labeled doses, though data is still limited — do not assume it is risk-free in young/growing animals regarding cartilage injury.
• European dosing (2 mg/kg) has shown efficacy for pyoderma even though US label minimum is 2.75 mg/kg — flexibility exists within the approved range.