The main goals of this study were the evaluation of orbifloxacin in the treatment of lower urinary tract infection in cats, and its toxicity mainly to kidney and/or liver. To achieve these goals, quantitative urine cultures were performed in 53 urine samples, collected from cats with signs of lower urinary tract infection. Bacterial cystitis was confirmed in 13 cats, however in only 10 samples the isolated bacteria was in vitro susceptible to orbifloxacin. These 10 cats with bacterial cystitis were submitted to the treatment with orbifloxacin (2.5mg kg-1 once a day/10 days). Seventy two hours after finishing the treatment, urine samples were collected and cultured again. The results were a negative urine culture for all ten cats. No signs of liver and/or kidney toxicity were observed in these cats since the serum liver enzymes alanine aminotranferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AP) and serum albumin, besides urea and creatinine have not changed after using this drug. These results suggest that orbifloxacin can be safely used as an antibacterial drug for urinary tract infection in cats.
cats; orbifloxacin; lower urinary tract infection
