What is Azithromycin?
Azithromycin is a semi-synthetic antibiotic of the macrolide class, the same class as erythromycinand tylosin. This class of antibiotics acts to inhibit bacterial protein synthesis by inhibiting a cellularstructure called a 50S ribosome, a structure that only certain bacteria have and use to makeinternal proteins. Because non-bacterial cells, like mammal cells, use a different type of ribosomeIcalled a 60S ribosome), this difference in the ribosome structures can thus be exploited. in otherwords, macrolide antibiotics wil interfere with the 50S ribosome but will have no effect on the 60Sribosome, meaning disruption in protein manufacture for bacteria with no effect on mammal cells.
What is Azithromycin used for in animals?
Azithromycin is used for the treatment of respiratory tract infections, genitourinary tract infections, skin and soft tissue infections in livestock caused by sensitive pathogenic bacteria. It is especially suitable for pneumonia, mastitis and urinary tract infections in pigs, cattle, sheep and other domestic animals.
1. Respiratory tract infections:
Azithromycin is commonly used in the treatment of respiratory infections in animals caused by bacteria, such as pneumonia, bronchitis and rhinitis. It is effective against many gram-positive and negative bacteria.
2. Skin and soft tissue infections:
Azithromycin is used to treat skin infections, wound infections, and soft tissue infections such as pyoderma.
3. Genito-urinary infections:
Treats bacterial genitourinary infections such as urinary tract infections and uterine infections, especially in cats and dogs.
Precautions
- Contraindicated in animals with renal insufficiency.
- Dormancy period: 14 days for cattle and sheep, 7 days for pigs.
- Prohibited for animals allergic to this product or other macrolides.