Comparative field evaluation of marbofloxacin tablets in the treatment of feline upper respiratory infections.

One hundred and three cats presenting with clinical signs of feline acute upper respiratory infection were selected from Belgium, France and the Netherlands in a randomised comparative field trial. Each cat underwent a bacteriological examination before treatment (day 0) and received either marbofloxacin, at a dosage of 2 mg/kg once daily for five days, or amoxycillin-clavulanic acid (ACA) at a dosage of 12.5 mg/kg twice daily for five days. Clinical examinations were performed on days 2, 5 and 14. Pasteurella species were cultured in one-third of the samples. The other main bacteria isolated were Streptococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcaceae. Response rates (cures + improvements) to treatment on day 5 were 87.8 vs 77.8 per cent for marbofloxacin and ACA, respectively. A few mild side-effects (diarrhoea, vomiting) were recorded with both drugs.