EXCEDE® is the first and only licensed antibiotic for horses that offers a full (10-day) course of therapy in just 2 doses. By reducing the administration requirements from 10 daily doses of a comparative antibiotic to a 2-dose regimen, EXCEDE makes the treatment process less stressful for the horse and more convenient for the veterinarian, caretaker and horse owner.

EXCEDE® is indicated for the treatment of lower respiratory tract (i.e. pulmonary) infections in horses, particularly those caused by susceptible strains of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus).

EXCEDE® contains ceftiofur in a crystalline form, called Ceftiofur Crystalline Free Acid, or CCFA.

The final product is a ready-to-use sterile suspension of CCFA in oil. Its oil-based preparation allows for slow, continuous release of antibiotic into the horse's bloodstream over a prolonged period of time. When injected intramuscularly, EXCEDE is rapidly metaboized into its active form, thereby achieving a plasma level above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).

One injection lasts for at least 4 days and two injections (administered 96 hours apart) can last up to 10 days in the horse.

Excede's oil-based nature, however, makes this product quite "thick" and therefore more difficult to administer to horses. Since it resides in the tissue for longer periods of time, there is greater propensity for secondary complication(s) such as abscess formation. The Atlanta Equine Clinic recommends that the injection site be cleaned and disinfected appropriately and that good technique be used during intramuscular (IM) administration.

Click the button to the left to review our recommended intramuscular injection sites.

Advantages:

• FDA-approved for horses. The use of EXCEDE provides veterinarians, horse owners and caretakers peace-of-mind, knowing they have selected a product that has been demonstrated to be both safe and effective in horses. EXCEDE is available through veterinary prescription only.

• One-of-a-kind. As the first and only sustained-release licensed antibiotic for horses, EXCEDE offers a full-course of therapy in just 2 doses for the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia).

• Fewer doses. By providing 10 days of therapy in just 2 doses administered 4 days apart (versus 10 daily doses of a comparative antibiotic) veterinarians can optimize compliance. Fewer administrations means less potential for missing doses.

• Benefits beyond the bottle. EXCEDE makes the treatment process less stressful for the horse, horse owner and caretaker. The sustained-release nature of the product means less systemic exposure to the antibiotic with comparable efficacy.

• Exceptional value. EXCEDE provides a full course of therapy with fewer administrations, making it an affordable option.

*IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: As with all drugs, the use of EXCEDE® is contraindicated in animals with known allergy to ceftiofur or to the ß-lactam group (penicillins and cephalosporins) of antimicrobials. The administration of antimicrobials in horses under conditions of stress may be associated with diarrhea, which may require appropriate veterinary therapy.