Fortimycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used primarily in poultry, swine, and rabbits.

INDICATIONS

• Poultry (Broilers): Used primarily to treat infections caused by E. coli (colibacillosis) and Salmonella spp. Also indicated for fowl cholera and chronic respiratory disease.
• Pigs: Prescribed for a wide range of bacterial infections, especially stress-associated or secondary bacterial infections in weaned piglets. It is also essential for treating swine dysentery caused by Brachyspira hyodysenteriae in some countries.
• Dogs: Primarily reserved for multidrug-resistant (MDR) urinary tract infections (UTIs) or canine bacterial cystitis when no other alternative drugs are effective.
• Fish: Essential for the treatment of certain fish infections where few therapeutic alternatives exist.
• Cattle: Used to treat coliform-caused diarrhea and salmonellosis.

ADMINISTRATION

• Oral (PO): Administered as calcium salt or tromethamine salt. This is common for pets like dogs and cats, as well as poultry and pigs.
  • Pets: Often given as granules or liquid suspension mixed with food.
  • Livestock/Poultry: Frequently administered as a “group treatment” through medicated feed or drinking water.
• Injectable (Parenteral): Administered as the more water-soluble disodium salt.
  • Intramuscular (IM): Injected into muscle tissue (e.g., thigh or spinal muscles). This route shows fast absorption in species like chickens, pigs, and cattle.
  • Subcutaneous (SC): Injected just under the skin. In dogs and horses, SC administration has shown high bioavailability (around 84–86%).
  • Intravenous (IV): Administered directly into the bloodstream for rapid effect, typically in a clinical setting for severe infections.