Marbofloxacin hydrochloride is a potent antibiotic of which depends upon its inhibition of DNA-gyrase.Target: DNA-gyraseMarbofloxacin hydrochloride is a third-generation fluoroquinolone for veterinary use, the antimicrobial of which depends upon its inhibition of DNA-gyrase and topoisomerase IV. With a broad spectrum bactericidal activity and good efficacy, marbofloxacin hydrochloride is indicated for dermatological, respiratory and urinary tract infections due to both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and Mycoplasma .Administration of Marbofloxacin hydrochloride at 6 mg/kg once daily for 7 days in a Staphylococcus aureus infection in tissue cages in ponies is not effective for the elimination of S. aureus infections from secluded sites . The pharmacokinetic properties of marbofloxacin hydrochloride were investigated in 6 horses after i.v., subcutaneous and oral administration of a single dose of 2 mg/kg bwt and the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) assessed for bacteria isolated from equine infectious pathologies. The clearance of marbofloxacin hydrochloride was mean +/- s.d. 0.25 +/- 0.05 l/kg/h and the terminal half-life 756 +/- 1.99 h. The marbofloxacin hydrochloride absolute bioavailabilities after subcutaneous and oral administration were 98 +/- 11% and 62 +/- 8%, respectively. Considering the breakpoint values of efficacy indices for fluoroquinolones, a marbofloxacin hydrochloride dosage regimen of 2 mg/kg bwt/24 h by i.v., subcutaneous or oral routes was more appropriate for enterobacteriaceae than for S. aureus . Toxicity: cramps; vomiting; anorexia; soft stools; diarrhoea