Orbifloxacin (Orbax) for Pets in 2025 🐾

When your pet needs help fighting a tough bacterial infection—especially one involving resistant or gram-negative organisms—Orbifloxacin (Orbax®) may be the antibiotic of choice. I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc, and this 2025 veterinary guide walks you through how orbifloxacin works, when to use it, and how to do so safely 🧫🐶🐱

💊 What Is Orbifloxacin?

Orbifloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic used in dogs and cats to treat infections involving:

• 🦠 Gram-negative bacteria (e.g. E. coli, Pseudomonas)
• 🦠 Staphylococcal skin infections
• 🦻 Pseudomonas-related ear infections

It’s available in tablet and oral suspension forms, and also included in ear treatments like Posatex®.

📋 How Orbifloxacin Works

This antibiotic disables DNA gyrase, a bacterial enzyme required for DNA uncoiling and protein production. With no way to access its own genetic code, the bacteria can no longer replicate and dies.

🧪 Formulations Available

• 💊 Tablets: 5.7 mg, 22.7 mg, and 68 mg
• 🧴 Oral suspension (flavored): Room-temperature stable
• 🦻 Also part of topical treatments like Posatex®

📅 Dosing & Administration

• 📆 Usually given once or twice daily
• 🍽️ Best given on an empty stomach, but can be given with a small amount of non-dairy food to reduce nausea
• 🚫 Do not mix with dairy—calcium interferes with absorption
• 🧴 Rinse dosing syringes after each use
• 🔁 If a dose is missed, give when remembered—do not double up

⚠️ Side Effects

Common:

• 🤢 Mild nausea or vomiting
• 💩 Diarrhea (especially at high doses)

Severe (rare):

• 🧠 Seizures (especially in pets with pre-existing disorders)
• 🦴 Joint cartilage damage in dogs under 8 months old
• 👁️ Blindness risk at high doses in cats (similar to enrofloxacin)

⚠️ Use with Caution In:

• 🐶 Puppies (<8 months)
• 🐱 Cats at high doses (vision risk)
• 🧠 Pets with known seizure disorders
• 🤰 Pregnant or nursing pets

🔄 Drug Interactions

• 🚫 Sucralfate: Binds the drug—give at least 2 hours apart
• ⚠️ Theophylline: Blood levels may increase
• ⚠️ Cyclosporine: Risk of kidney toxicity increases
• 🚫 Iron, zinc, magnesium, aluminum supplements: Block absorption

✅ May be combined with: Broad-spectrum penicillins (e.g. amoxicillin) or 3rd-gen cephalosporins (e.g. cefpodoxime) for synergistic effect

🩺 What It’s Best For

• 🦻 Ear infections caused by Pseudomonas
• 🧴 Skin infections involving Staph or gram-negative bacteria
• 🚫 Not effective for mouth or anaerobic infections (e.g. abscesses)

📲 When to Ask a Vet

If your pet has chronic infections, is on multiple medications, or has a seizure history, consult your vet or use the Ask A Vet app before starting orbifloxacin 🐾💬

✅ Summary

• ✔️ Fluoroquinolone antibiotic used for serious gram-negative and skin infections
• ✔️ Available as tablets and liquid—best on an empty stomach
• ⚠️ Avoid in young puppies, seizure-prone pets, and high-dose use in cats
• ⚠️ Separate from antacids and mineral supplements by 2 hours
• 🧪 May be used with other antibiotics for broader infection control

With proper use, Orbifloxacin can be a powerful tool in defeating tough bacterial infections. Talk to your vet to make sure it’s right for your pet—and don’t forget to monitor for side effects 💛

— Dr Duncan Houston BVSc