Vetrimoxin L.A. (Amoxicillin 150mg/ml) – Long-Acting Injectable Suspension for Cattle & Pigs | 100ml

What Is Vetrimoxin L.A.?

Vetrimoxin L.A. is a sterile, long-acting injectable suspension manufactured by Ceva Animal Health, containing amoxicillin trihydrate 150mg/ml as the active ingredient. It is presented as a cream-beige suspension for intramuscular administration in cattle and pigs.

The “L.A.” designation means Long-Acting — the microni®d formulation creates a slow-release depot at the injection site, maintaining therapeutic amoxicillin concentrations in the bloodstream for 48 hours between doses. Standard amoxicillin injections require once-daily administration; Vetrimoxin L.A. requires only one injection every 48 hours, reducing handling stress on animals and labour for producers.

Available in 100ml, 250ml, and 500ml vials. The formulation uses micronized amoxicillin, which facilitates easier resuspension and passes smoothly through needles of all gauges — including the finer needles preferred for use in pigs. The vials are presented in Ceva’s patented CLAS® container: lighter than glass, shock-resistant, with an ergonomic shape for single-handed use.

How Amoxicillin Works

Amoxicillin is a semi-synthetic aminopenicillin — a bactericidal antibiotic that kills bacteria by inhibiting penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), the enzymes that cross-link peptidoglycan strands in bacterial cell walls. Without this cross-linking, the cell wall loses structural integrity and the bacterium lyses (ruptures) under its own osmotic pressure.

Amoxicillin is active against both Gram-positive bacteria (which have thick peptidoglycan walls) and a range of Gram-negative bacteria. It is not effective against beta-lactamase-producing organisms — strains that produce beta-lactamase enzymes can hydrolyse the beta-lactam ring and inactivate the antibiotic before it reaches its target.

As a bactericidal antibiotic, amoxicillin requires actively dividing bacteria to exert its lethal effect. This is why concurrent use with bacteriostatic antibiotics (tetracyclines, macrolides, sulphonamides, chloramphenicol) reduces its efficacy — these drugs arrest bacterial growth and remove the target that amoxicillin needs to be effective.

Indications

Vetrimoxin L.A. is indicated for the treatment of respiratory infections in cattle and pigs caused by organisms susceptible to amoxicillin.

Cattle

• Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) — caused by Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida
• BRD (also known as Shipping Fever) is the most economically significant bacterial disease in cattle production. Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida are the primary bacterial pathogens, often acting as secondary invaders following viral respiratory infections (IBR, BVD, BRSV, PI-3)

Pigs

• Respiratory infections caused by Pasteurella multocida
• Pasteurella multocida is a key pathogen in enzootic pneumonia and other swine respiratory disease complexes

Use in other species (sheep, goats, dogs, cats) is outside the licensed indications for Vetrimoxin L.A. — see the FAQ section below for further information on off-label use queries.

Dosage and Administration

Vetrimoxin L.A. is for intramuscular injection only. Shake the vial thoroughly before drawing up each dose — the amoxicillin settles on standing and must be fully resuspended for accurate dosing.

Worked Dosage Examples

How Many Doses from the 100ml Vial?

Administration Instructions

1. Shake well until a uniform suspension is achieved before each withdrawal
2. Use a sterile needle appropriate for deep intramuscular injection
3. Inject into a large muscle mass (neck, hindquarter) using aseptic technique
4. If the total dose exceeds the maximum per-site volume, divide across multiple sites
5. Use a fresh injection site for each administration (Day 1 and Day 3)
6. Do not puncture the vial more than 10 times to maintain sterility; use an automatic syringe for herd treatments
7. Reassess diagnosis if no clinical improvement after the second dose — consider culture and sensitivity testing

Withdrawal Periods

Observe the following minimum withdrawal periods before slaughter or milk use. Always verify against the specific product label in your country, as regional regulatory requirements may differ.

Withdrawal periods vary by country and between product batches — always consult the label on the specific vial you are using for the authorised figures in your region.

Contraindications

• Hypersensitivity to penicillins, cephalosporins, or any excipient — cross-sensitivity between penicillins and cephalosporins exists; do not use if either sensitivity is known
• Beta-lactamase-producing organisms — amoxicillin is inactivated by beta-lactamase; culture and sensitivity testing will identify resistant strains
• Severe renal dysfunction with oliguria or anuria — amoxicillin accumulates in renal failure
• Rabbits, hares, hamsters, guinea pigs, and other small herbivores — penicillin-class antibiotics cause fatal disruption of gut flora in these species
• Horses, donkeys, and Equidae — aminopenicillins adversely affect the caecal bacterial balance in horses; avoid use in all Equidae
• Rodents

Drug Interactions

Side Effects

• Injection site irritation — the most common reaction; reduced by adhering to maximum per-site volumes and rotating sites
• Hypersensitivity reactions — from mild urticaria to anaphylaxis; have adrenaline available when treating animals with penicillin for the first time

Human Safety During Administration

Penicillins can cause hypersensitivity reactions in humans through accidental skin contact, injection, or inhalation. People with known penicillin allergy may also react to cephalosporins (cross-sensitivity). Always:

• Wear gloves during administration
• Avoid contact with skin and mucous membranes
• Do not smoke, eat, or drink while handling
• Wash hands thoroughly after use
• If accidental self-injection occurs, seek immediate medical attention and bring the product label

Storage

• Store below 25°C, protected from light and frost
• Keep in the original outer carton to protect from light
• Shelf life sealed: 2 years
• After first opening: use within 28 days
• Do not use beyond expiry date
• Keep out of reach of children

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Vetrimoxin L.A. be used in sheep?

Vetrimoxin L.A.’s licensed indications cover cattle and pigs only. However, amoxicillin injectable products are widely used in sheep and goats under veterinary supervision on an off-label basis for respiratory disease, foot rot, and other bacterial infections caused by amoxicillin-susceptible organisms. If you need to treat sheep with an amoxicillin LA injection, discuss with your veterinarian — the dosing is typically 15mg/kg (1ml per 10kg) every 48 hours, and extended withdrawal periods apply for off-label use.

Can Vetrimoxin L.A. be used in dogs or cats?

Vetrimoxin L.A. is a livestock formulation labelled for cattle and pigs and is not licensed for companion animal use. Dogs and cats do use amoxicillin, but typically via oral tablets (e.g. Clavaseptin, Synulox) or dedicated small-animal injectable formulations with appropriate dosing. The 150mg/ml concentration and large vial sizes are not suited to companion animal dosing. For amoxicillin treatment in dogs or cats, consult your veterinarian for an appropriately licensed product.

What does “long-acting” mean for an amoxicillin injection?

Standard amoxicillin injections are absorbed quickly and must be given every 24 hours to maintain therapeutic blood concentrations. Vetrimoxin L.A. uses micronized amoxicillin trihydrate in a slow-release suspension that creates a depot at the injection site, releasing drug gradually. This maintains effective amoxicillin concentrations in the bloodstream for 48 hours from a single injection, halving the number of injections required per treatment course compared to standard formulations.

Why must I shake Vetrimoxin L.A. thoroughly before use?

Amoxicillin is not soluble in the suspension vehicle — it is present as fine particles suspended in the liquid. On standing, these particles settle to the bottom of the vial. If the vial is not shaken vigorously before each withdrawal, the first doses drawn will be mostly vehicle with little active ingredient, and later doses will be overly concentrated. Uneven suspension causes inconsistent dosing and risks both under-treatment (first doses) and overdose (later doses). Shake until the suspension is uniform throughout before drawing up.

Related products: Dufamox 15% L.A. (Amoxicillin 150mg/ml) – alternative LA amoxicillin injectable | Shotapen LA (Benzylpenicillin + Dihydrostreptomycin) – dual-spectrum alternative | Clavaseptin (Amoxicillin + Clavulanate) – oral amoxicillin for dogs