• Dogs and Cats: It is commonly used for severe systemic infections:
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by susceptible E. coli and Proteus species.
  • Skin and soft tissue infections caused by susceptible Pseudomonas species and E. coli.
  • Respiratory infections.
  • Bone and joint infections.
  • Bacterial septicemia (blood infections).
  • Amikacin is also used in topical preparations for the ears and eyes.
• Horses: The drug is FDA-approved for specific reproductive tract issues and other infections:
  • Uterine infections (endometritis, metritis, and pyometra) caused by susceptible organisms like E. coli, Pseudomonas spp., and Klebsiella spp..
  • It is often used via intrauterine infusion to improve fertility in infected mares.
  • It is also used for regional limb perfusions and joint lavage to treat bone and joint infections. 

ADMINISTRATION

• Subcutaneous (SC): Injected into the fatty tissue just under the skin. This method is often used for at-home administration by pet owners for daily shots.
• Intramuscular (IM): Injected directly into a large muscle mass, such as the muscles along the spine (axials) or the caudal thigh muscle.
• Intravenous (IV): Administered directly into a vein, often as a slow infusion over a period of 30 to 60 minutes in a hospital setting.
• Intrauterine Instillation: In horses, amikacin can be instilled directly into the uterus to treat certain infections.
• Topical Use: Amikacin is sometimes used topically in the ear or on the skin for localized infections.