INDICATIONS

• Bacterial Infections: Erythromycin is a narrow-spectrum macrolide antibiotic effective against specific Gram-positive bacteria and Mycoplasma.
  • Respiratory Infections: It is frequently used for pneumonia and other lung or sinus infections. In foals, it is a common treatment for Rhodococcus equi infections, often in combination with rifampin.
  • Skin and Wound Infections: It is used to treat skin, bone, and wound infections caused by susceptible organisms.
  • Other Infections: Indications can include some tick-borne diseases (like Lyme disease), metritis, foot rot, and specific intestinal infections (like those caused by Campylobacter bacteria).

SPECIES

• Cattle, Calves, Sheep, and Goats: Used for respiratory infections, metritis, and foot rot, typically via deep IM injection. It is also used as a prokinetic in cattle.
• Dogs and Cats: Used for specific bacterial infections. IM administration is labeled for use, but oral forms are more common.
• Horses: Primarily used in foals for Rhodococcus equi infections. It is generally not safe for use in adult horses.
• Small Animals (Guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils): Erythromycin is toxic to these species and can cause fatal diarrhea; its use is contraindicated.
• Fish: It can be used by injection to control mortality from bacterial kidney disease in certain salmonid species. 

ADMINISTRATION

• Intramuscular (IM) Injection: This is the typical route for livestock like cattle, sheep, and pigs.
  • The injection is given deep into a large muscle, such as the neck or leg muscles.
  • A 16 or 18 gauge needle is used.
  • The site should be rotated for multiple injections, and no more than 10 mL should be given per site to minimize pain and tissue damage.
  • IM administration is known to be painful in some animals and is generally not recommended in dogs and cats.
• Intravenous (IV) Infusion: In some severe cases or for specific indications, erythromycin can be administered intravenously, but it must be given as a slow, continuous or intermittent infusion only.
  • IV push is an unacceptable route of administration due to its irritative properties.
  • This method is typically performed in a hospital setting under professional veterinary care.
• Intraperitoneal (IP) Injection: For fish, erythromycin may be administered by either IM or IP injection.