Oxytetracycline oral liquid is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections in livestock, poultry, and companion animals.

INDICATIONS

• Respiratory infections such as bacterial pneumonia and shipping fever complex.
• Gastrointestinal infections such as bacterial enteritis (scours/diarrhea).
• Skin and soft tissue infections, including wound infections.
• Tick-borne diseases (e.g., ehrlichiosis, anaplasmosis, Lyme disease) in dogs and horses (often as an extra-label use).
• Other conditions such as infectious synovitis and some reproductive tract infections (e.g., leptospirosis in breeding swine). 

ADMINISTRATION

• Direct Oral Administration (Drench): For individual treatment, the liquid can be carefully measured with a dosing syringe and administered into the animal’s cheek pocket.
• Mixed in Water/Feed: For treating groups of animals (herds or flocks), the liquid form (or soluble powder) is often mixed into the sole source of drinking water or sprinkled onto feed. This ensures all animals receive the medication as they consume water/feed.
• Empty Stomach Preferred: Oral forms of oxytetracycline should generally be given on an empty stomach, 1-2 hours away from feeding, if possible, for better absorption.
• Avoid Dairy/Minerals: Do not administer the medication with milk, milk replacers, or other dairy products, and avoid products containing iron, calcium, aluminum, or magnesium, as these can significantly reduce the drug’s absorption.
• Complete the Full Course: The medication should be given for the entire duration prescribed by the veterinarian, even if symptoms disappear, to ensure the infection is fully resolved and prevent the development of antibiotic resistance.
• Prepare Fresh Solutions Daily: If mixed with water, fresh solutions should be prepared every 24 hours to ensure potency.