POM-V Prescription Required

Cephaguard DC 150 mg Intramammary Ointment

Active ingredient: Cefquinome

Form

Cream

Species

Cattle

Manufacturer

Virbac

VMD MA No.

05653/5047

What it's used for

For the treatment of subclinical mastitis at drying off and the prevention of new bacterial infections of the udder during the dry period in the dairy cow...

Full indications, dosage and side effects ↓

View official SPC (PDF)

The prescription itself has a price. See what practices near you charge for a consultation and the written prescription fee.

Paying less for Cefquinome

1

Ask your vet for a written prescription

They must provide one on request. Under the CMA Order the fee is capped at £21 from 2027.
2

Fill it at a registered online retailer

The CMA found online pharmacies 50–60% cheaper than practice dispensing on common medicines — typically £200–£300 a year.

Your prescription rights → VMD register of retailers →

Prescription required

Your vet must provide a written prescription on request. You can then purchase from any licensed online retailer.

Clinical information

Cephaguard DC 150 mg Intramammary Ointment — SPC Details

Source: VMD Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). Last updated 26 Mar 2026.

For the treatment of subclinical mastitis at drying off and the prevention of new bacterial
infections of the udder during the dry period in the dairy cow caused by the following
cefquinome susceptible organisms:
Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative staphylococci.

Single intramammary administration of 150 mg cefquinome.
The content of one syringe should be instilled gently into the teat of each quarter,
immediately after the last milking.
Before instillation, the udder should be milked out completely. The teat and its orifice
should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with the cleaning towel provided. Care
should be taken to avoid contamination of the injector nozzle. Gently insert either about
5mm or the total length of the nozzle and instil the content of one syringe into each
quarter. Disperse the product by gentle massage of the teat and udder.
The syringe must only be used once.

Divergence from NI MA : November 2023
AN: 03908/2022

Not to be administered to animals which are known to be hypersensitive to cephalosporin
antibiotics or other β-lactam antibiotics.
Not to be administered to cows with clinical mastitis and (see section 4.7).

Divergence from NI MA : November 2023
AN: 03908/2022

In very rare cases hypersensitivity reactions can occur in animals after administration of
cephalosporins.
The frequency of adverse reactions is defined using the following convention:
- very common (more than 1 in 10 animals treated displaying adverse reaction(s))
- common (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 100 animals treated)
- uncommon (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 1,000 animals treated)
- rare (more than 1 but less than 10 animals in 10,000 animals treated)
- very rare (less than 1 animal in 10,000 animals treated, including isolated reports).

None.

Special precautions for use in animals
Use of the product should be based on susceptibility testing of the bacteria isolated from
the animal. If it is not possible, therapy should be based on local (regional, farm level)
epidemiological information about susceptibility of the target bacteria.
Do not use the cleaning towel on teats with lesions.
In case of erroneous use during lactation the milk should be discarded for 35 days.
The efficacy of the product is only established against the pathogens mentioned in
section 4.2 “Indications for use”. Consequently, serious acute mastitis (potentially fatal)
due to other pathogen species, mainly , can occur after the
drying off. Good hygienic practices should be thoroughly respected in order to reduce that
risk; cows should be housed in a hygienic paddock far from the milking parlour and
regularly checked several days after drying off.
Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary
medicinal product to animals
Penicillins and cephalosporins may cause hypersensitivity (allergy) following injection,
inhalation, ingestion or skin contact. Hypersensitivity to penicillins may lead to cross
sensitivity to cephalosporin and vice versa. Allergic reactions to these substances may
occasionally be serious.
Do not handle this product if you know you are sensitised to penicillins or cephalosporins,
or if you have been advised not to work with such preparations.
Handle this product with great care to avoid exposure. Use impervious gloves when
handling and administering the product. Wash exposed skin after use.
If you develop symptoms following exposure, such as skin rash, you should seek medical
advice and show the Doctor this warning. Swelling of the face, lips and eyes or difficulty in
breathing are more serious symptoms and require urgent medical attention. Persons
developing a reaction after contact with the product should avoid handling the product
(and other cephalosporin and penicillin containing products) in future.
Wash hands after using the towels and wear protective gloves if skin irritation due to
isopropyl alcohol is known or suspected. Avoid contact with eyes because isopropyl
alcohol can cause eye irritation.

Divergence from NI MA : November 2023
AN: 03908/2022

See point 5.1 with regard to cross-resistance in the cephalosporin group.
The neutralizing effect of bacteriostatic acting pharmaceuticals (macrolides, sulfonamides
and tetracyclines) on bactericidal effect of cefquinome has not been evaluated yet.
Therefore there is no information about the safety and efficacy of this kind of association.

Do not store above 25 C.

The neutralizing effect of bacteriostatic acting

This information is sourced from the official Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) published by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD). It is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your vet before administering any medication.