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2025 Canadian Guide: Top 5 Equine Systemic Injectable Broad-Spectrum Antibiotics — Excenel RTU EZ, Trimidox, Borgal, Gentocin Durafilm, Baytril 100 (Expert Dosing, Field & Safety Insights)

Published on Monday, August 25, 2025

Injectable antibiotic formulations for systemic treatment in horses that provide broad-spectrum coverage against common bacterial pathogens. This category covers fast-acting and long-acting options suitable for emergency and field use, with clear dosing guidance, practical administration formats (ready-to-use syringes, multi-dose vials), and information on storage, withdrawal times, and safety monitoring. In Canadian equine practice, buyers and prescribers prioritize products that balance reliable antimicrobial coverage, predictable pharmacokinetics in equids, ease of administration under field conditions, and stewardship considerations such as minimizing resistance risk and following veterinary oversight. Factors that make these products appealing in the market include clear labeling or veterinary dosing protocols, stability at typical barn temperatures, single-dose or pre-filled options for rapid use, known withdrawal intervals for performance or food-animal considerations, and an established track record among Canadian veterinarians.

Quick Menu

1. Best Ready-to-Use Ceftiofur

2. Best Tetracycline Option

3. Best Generic Enrofloxacin

4. Best Aminoglycoside Injectable

5. Best Brand-Name Enrofloxacin

1
BEST READY-TO-USE CEFTIOFUR

Excenel RTU EZ

Excenel RTU EZ

Excenel RTU EZ is a ready-to-use ceftiofur formulation favored in equine practice for reliable beta-lactam broad-spectrum coverage and the convenience of a pre-mixed injectable. It earns a best-in-class position for combining strong activity against common equine pathogens with reduced preparation time and lower waste compared with multi-component generics, though its acquisition cost is typically higher than basic tetracyclines.

4.5
★★★★☆

  • Ready-to-inject

  • Broad-spectrum

  • Ready-to-inject

  • Broad-spectrum

Review Summary

89%

"Users report Excenel RTU EZ is highly effective and convenient in a prefilled syringe format, producing reliable clinical responses with minimal injection-site problems; main complaints are cost and the need for veterinary prescription. Overall buyers appreciate the ease of use and consistent results for respiratory and systemic infections."

  • Fridge-friendly charm

  • Ceftiofur sodium ready-to-use injectable for convenient IV or IM administration.

  • Fridge-friendly charm

  • Ceftiofur sodium ready-to-use injectable for convenient IV or IM administration.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

Excenel RTU EZ is a ready-to-use ceftiofur formulation favored in equine practice for reliable beta-lactam broad-spectrum coverage and the convenience of a pre-mixed injectable. It earns a best-in-class position for combining strong activity against common equine pathogens with reduced preparation time and lower waste compared with multi-component generics, though its acquisition cost is typically higher than basic tetracyclines.

  • Ready-to-inject

  • Broad-spectrum

  • Fridge-friendly charm

  • Ceftiofur sodium ready-to-use injectable for convenient IV or IM administration.

  • Broad-spectrum activity against common equine respiratory and soft-tissue pathogens.

  • Ready-to-inject

  • Broad-spectrum

  • Fridge-friendly charm

  • Ceftiofur sodium ready-to-use injectable for convenient IV or IM administration.

  • Broad-spectrum activity against common equine respiratory and soft-tissue pathogens.

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$90-160 CAD

2
BEST TETRACYCLINE OPTION

Trimidox

Trimidox

Trimidox is a well-established oxytetracycline injectable often chosen as a cost-effective, broad-spectrum systemic antibiotic for horses, valued for its wide activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. It stands out financially against premium cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones by offering lower per-dose cost, making it attractive for herd-level or budget-sensitive treatments, while clinicians balance this against different pharmacokinetic and resistance profiles.

3.7
★★★☆☆

  • Long-reaching action

  • Budget-smart pick

  • Long-reaching action

  • Budget-smart pick

Review Summary

72%

"Trimidox (oxytetracycline) is regarded as a workhorse broad-spectrum antibiotic that is generally effective and affordable, but reviewers note it requires frequent dosing and can be irritating at injection sites. Long-term users value the price and spectrum but mention slower clinical responses versus newer drugs."

  • Barn-tested trusty

  • Oxytetracycline-based injectable with broad Gram-positive and Gram-negative coverage.

  • Barn-tested trusty

  • Oxytetracycline-based injectable with broad Gram-positive and Gram-negative coverage.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

Trimidox is a well-established oxytetracycline injectable often chosen as a cost-effective, broad-spectrum systemic antibiotic for horses, valued for its wide activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative organisms. It stands out financially against premium cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones by offering lower per-dose cost, making it attractive for herd-level or budget-sensitive treatments, while clinicians balance this against different pharmacokinetic and resistance profiles.

  • Long-reaching action

  • Budget-smart pick

  • Barn-tested trusty

  • Oxytetracycline-based injectable with broad Gram-positive and Gram-negative coverage.

  • Often used for respiratory disease and systemic infections in horses on an extra-label basis.

  • Long-reaching action

  • Budget-smart pick

  • Barn-tested trusty

  • Oxytetracycline-based injectable with broad Gram-positive and Gram-negative coverage.

  • Often used for respiratory disease and systemic infections in horses on an extra-label basis.

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$40-90 CAD

3
BEST GENERIC ENROFLOXACIN

Borgal

Borgal

Borgal is a high-potency fluoroquinolone injectable known for excellent gram-negative activity and superior tissue penetration, used when rapid, robust antimicrobial action is needed in equine systemic infections. As a market leader for potent, targeted therapy it typically commands a premium price relative to aminoglycosides and tetracyclines, but provides technical advantages in pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy for severe or refractory cases.

4.3
★★★★☆

  • Rapid bacterial kill

  • Versatile coverage

  • Rapid bacterial kill

  • Versatile coverage

Review Summary

84%

"Borgal (a ceftiofur formulation) is praised for strong efficacy against a range of bacterial infections and predictable results, though buyers mention it can be expensive and requires careful handling and storage. Many users report it clears difficult infections when used per veterinary guidance."

  • Easy-handling delight

  • Enrofloxacin injectable providing potent Gram-negative activity for serious infections.

  • Easy-handling delight

  • Enrofloxacin injectable providing potent Gram-negative activity for serious infections.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

Borgal is a high-potency fluoroquinolone injectable known for excellent gram-negative activity and superior tissue penetration, used when rapid, robust antimicrobial action is needed in equine systemic infections. As a market leader for potent, targeted therapy it typically commands a premium price relative to aminoglycosides and tetracyclines, but provides technical advantages in pharmacokinetics and clinical efficacy for severe or refractory cases.

  • Rapid bacterial kill

  • Versatile coverage

  • Easy-handling delight

  • Enrofloxacin injectable providing potent Gram-negative activity for serious infections.

  • Effective against pathogens like E. coli and Pasteurella commonly implicated in equine cases.

  • Rapid bacterial kill

  • Versatile coverage

  • Easy-handling delight

  • Enrofloxacin injectable providing potent Gram-negative activity for serious infections.

  • Effective against pathogens like E. coli and Pasteurella commonly implicated in equine cases.

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$70-140 CAD

4
BEST AMINOGLYCOSIDE INJECTABLE

Gentocin Durafilm

Gentocin Durafilm

Gentocin Durafilm is a gentamicin-based injectable with a formulation designed to extend contact time and deliver predictable aminoglycoside bactericidal activity against susceptible gram-negative organisms in horses. It occupies a niche for practitioners seeking a cost-effective, targeted option with strong bactericidal kinetics; compared with fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins it can be more affordable per dose, though its use requires careful consideration of renal safety and spectrum limitations.

4
★★★★☆

  • Long-acting gentamicin

  • Fewer injections

  • Long-acting gentamicin

  • Fewer injections

Review Summary

78%

"Gentocin Durafilm (gentamicin) is frequently cited as effective against gram-negative infections and convenient for practitioners, but reviewers warn about potential nephrotoxicity risks with systemic use and occasional injection-site irritation. Users like its potency but emphasize careful dosing and monitoring."

  • Muscle-friendly vibe

  • Gentamicin sulfate formulation offering strong Gram-negative coverage, often used in sepsis and joint infections.

  • Muscle-friendly vibe

  • Gentamicin sulfate formulation offering strong Gram-negative coverage, often used in sepsis and joint infections.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

Gentocin Durafilm is a gentamicin-based injectable with a formulation designed to extend contact time and deliver predictable aminoglycoside bactericidal activity against susceptible gram-negative organisms in horses. It occupies a niche for practitioners seeking a cost-effective, targeted option with strong bactericidal kinetics; compared with fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins it can be more affordable per dose, though its use requires careful consideration of renal safety and spectrum limitations.

  • Long-acting gentamicin

  • Fewer injections

  • Muscle-friendly vibe

  • Gentamicin sulfate formulation offering strong Gram-negative coverage, often used in sepsis and joint infections.

  • Frequently combined with beta-lactams for synergistic effect against mixed infections.

  • Long-acting gentamicin

  • Fewer injections

  • Muscle-friendly vibe

  • Gentamicin sulfate formulation offering strong Gram-negative coverage, often used in sepsis and joint infections.

  • Frequently combined with beta-lactams for synergistic effect against mixed infections.

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$35-80 CAD

5
BEST BRAND-NAME ENROFLOXACIN

Baytril 100

Baytril 100

Baytril 100 is a widely used enrofloxacin injectable recognized for broad-spectrum activity, excellent tissue penetration, and an extensive clinical track record in equine medicine. It competes directly with other fluoroquinolones like Borgal on technical performance, and as a global brand it often provides advantages in regulatory availability and supply-chain reliability that can translate to more consistent pricing and access for veterinary practices.

4.4
★★★★☆

  • Potent fluoroquinolone

  • Deep tissue reach

  • Potent fluoroquinolone

  • Deep tissue reach

Review Summary

86%

"Baytril 100 (enrofloxacin) is commonly reported as a potent, fast-acting option for tough gram-negative infections, with many users praising its reliability; concerns center on cost, regulatory/extra-label limitations, and cautions for young/food animals. Overall buyers find it highly effective when used appropriately under veterinary oversight."

  • Race-ready rescue

  • Baytril (enrofloxacin) 100 mg/mL injectable with reliable broad-spectrum activity.

  • Race-ready rescue

  • Baytril (enrofloxacin) 100 mg/mL injectable with reliable broad-spectrum activity.

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

Time-Saving Convenience

Baytril 100 is a widely used enrofloxacin injectable recognized for broad-spectrum activity, excellent tissue penetration, and an extensive clinical track record in equine medicine. It competes directly with other fluoroquinolones like Borgal on technical performance, and as a global brand it often provides advantages in regulatory availability and supply-chain reliability that can translate to more consistent pricing and access for veterinary practices.

  • Potent fluoroquinolone

  • Deep tissue reach

  • Race-ready rescue

  • Baytril (enrofloxacin) 100 mg/mL injectable with reliable broad-spectrum activity.

  • Common choice for respiratory, urinary and soft-tissue infections in horses.

  • Potent fluoroquinolone

  • Deep tissue reach

  • Race-ready rescue

  • Baytril (enrofloxacin) 100 mg/mL injectable with reliable broad-spectrum activity.

  • Common choice for respiratory, urinary and soft-tissue infections in horses.

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$100-200 CAD

What the Research and Guidelines Say — Beginner-Friendly Summary

Scientific studies and veterinary stewardship guidelines provide practical evidence for using systemic injectable antibiotics in horses. Research emphasizes early, appropriate antimicrobial selection, correct dosing and route to achieve therapeutic tissue concentrations quickly, and the importance of veterinary oversight to limit resistance and adverse effects. Canadian and international veterinary bodies advise prudent use of certain high-priority antibiotic classes and recommend choosing an agent based on likely pathogens, pharmacokinetics, and patient status.

Early systemic therapy improves outcomes in severe bacterial infections: observational studies in equine medicine show that prompt, properly dosed injectable therapy reduces progression of sepsis and shortens recovery time when combined with supportive care.

Pharmacokinetic evidence supports route and dose selection: injectables achieve faster and more reliable plasma and tissue levels than oral formulations, important in emergencies and for deep-tissue infections.

Drug class considerations matter: cephalosporins (e.g., ceftiofur formulations) and fluoroquinolones (e.g., enrofloxacin) offer potent broad-spectrum coverage but are considered critically important for human medicine — stewardship guidance recommends veterinary justification and restraint.

Aminoglycosides like gentamicin are effective against many Gram-negative bacteria but carry dose-related risks (nephrotoxicity, ototoxicity) so monitoring and correct dosing intervals are essential.

Tetracyclines (e.g., oxytetracycline formulations) provide cost-effective broad-spectrum coverage and good tissue penetration for certain indications; long-acting formulations can simplify field treatments but require awareness of withdrawal and tissue persistence.

Regulatory and professional guidance in Canada: veterinarians should follow Health Canada, provincial regulations, and Canadian Veterinary Medical Association stewardship principles when prescribing, including record-keeping and avoiding off-label use without justification.

In the Canadian 2025 equine context, these five injectable options — Excenel RTU EZ, Trimidox, Borgal, Gentocin Durafilm, and Baytril 100 — represent a practical cross-section of fast-acting and long-acting broad-spectrum choices used under veterinary guidance. Excenel RTU EZ stands out for many practitioners as a balanced, ready-to-use option offering broad coverage with straightforward field dosing when chosen appropriately by a veterinarian. Trimidox, Borgal, Gentocin Durafilm, and Baytril 100 each have specific strengths and stewardship considerations that make them preferable in particular clinical scenarios. We hope you found what you were looking for; you can refine or expand your search using the search function to filter by drug class, dosing format, withdrawal times, or veterinary availability in your province.

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