Administration of Ceftiofur Crystalline Free Acid (CCFA) to Pony Mares With Placentitis

Ascending bacterial equine placentitis initiates inflammation, uterine contractions and preterm delivery. Treatment protocols for placentitis have included antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory agents and progestins. In 2010, a long-acting preparation of ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA) with broad- spectrum bactericidal activity was approved for use in horses. Our objectives were to determine the pharmacokinetics of CCFA in pregnant mares with placentitis, evaluate the disposition of CCFA in fetal fluids, fetal membranes, colostrum and serum from foals, and to obtain pilot data on the efficacy of CCFA for improving foal survival in mares with induced placentitis. We hypothesized that administration of CCFA to mares with placentitis would result in therapeutic concentrations of desfuroylceftiofur acetamide (DCA, the acetamide derivative of ceftiofur) in tissues and fluids of mares and foals. [...]