Banamine Dosage for Cattle (flunixin meglumine) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in cattle to control fever and inflammation from specific conditions. Getting the dose, route, and withdrawal times right protects animal welfare, keeps food safe, and keeps you compliant. Always use Banamine under veterinary direction.
What Banamine is approved to treat in cattle
Banamine is labeled for the control of pyrexia associated with bovine respiratory disease (BRD), endotoxemia, and acute bovine mastitis, and for the control of inflammation in endotoxemia.
Two formulations you may see
- Banamine Injection (50 mg/mL)
Cattle route: intravenous only. Intramuscular use in cattle is not on the label and has been linked to violative residues. - Banamine Transdermal (pour-on) (50 mg/mL)
Cattle route: topical pour-on, applied once in a strip along the midline.
Labeled dosages for cattle
1) Banamine Injection (IV only)
- BRD pyrexia and inflammation in endotoxemia
1.1–2.2 mg/kg (about 0.5–1.0 mg/lb, or 1–2 mL per 100 lb) IV, given once daily as a single dose or divided into two doses 12 hours apart, for up to 3 days.
Do not exceed 2.2 mg/kg total in 24 hours. Avoid rapid IV administration. - Acute bovine mastitis (fever control)
2.2 mg/kg (about 1 mg/lb, or 2 mL per 100 lb) IV, one time.
Quick volume examples (Injection): Banamine Dosage for Cattle
- 600 lb feeder: 6–12 mL IV once daily, based on 1–2 mL per 100 lb
- 1,300 lb cow with acute mastitis: 26 mL IV one time
2) Banamine Transdermal (pour-on)
- BRD pyrexia, acute mastitis pyrexia, and pain associated with foot rot
3.3 mg/kg (about 1.5 mg/lb, or 3 mL per 100 lb) once, applied in a narrow strip from withers to tailhead.
Do not apply if the hide is wet or likely to get wet within 6 hours. Follow user-safety warnings.
Quick volume example (Transdermal):
- 1,200 lb cow: 36 mL pour-on once (3 mL per 100 lb)
Withdrawal times and residue warnings
- Injection (IV only)
Meat: do not slaughter within 4 days of the last treatment
Milk: discard during treatment and for 36 hours after the last dose
Not for veal or preruminating calves
Do not use in dry dairy cows
Do not give IM in cattle due to residue risk - Transdermal (pour-on)
Meat: do not slaughter within 8 days of treatment
Milk: discard during treatment and for 48 hours after dosing
Additional class restrictions apply as stated on the label, including limitations for certain dairy animals and breeding bulls
If treatment falls outside the label, a veterinarian must set a science-based withdrawal interval.
Who should avoid Banamine
- Cattle within 48 hours of expected calving, since flunixin can delay parturition
- Animals with suspected gastric ulcers or renal compromise unless advised by a veterinarian
- Classes restricted on the specific product label, such as dry dairy cows and veal or preruminating calves
Safe administration and good stewardship
- Route matters. In cattle, use IV only for the injectable product. Do not give IM or SQ.
- Respect maximum daily dose. Do not exceed 2.2 mg/kg per day for the injection and do not treat beyond the labeled duration.
- Avoid stacking NSAIDs or combining with corticosteroids unless directed by your veterinarian.
- Handle pour-ons carefully. Wear appropriate PPE and avoid dosing on wet hides.
Extra-label use basics
Any use that is not on the label, such as a different route, species, dose, or indication, is extra-label and is legal only under a veterinarian within a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship. For food animals, extra-label use requires a veterinarian-assigned withdrawal interval to prevent residues.
Handy dose quick chart
| Situation | Product | Labeled dose | How to give | Max frequency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BRD pyrexia; inflammation in endotoxemia | Injection | 1.1–2.2 mg/kg (1–2 mL/100 lb) | IV only, slow | Once daily or split every 12 h, up to 3 days |
| Acute bovine mastitis (pyrexia) | Injection | 2.2 mg/kg (2 mL/100 lb) | IV only | Single dose |
| BRD or mastitis pyrexia; foot rot pain | Transdermal | 3.3 mg/kg (3 mL/100 lb) | Pour-on, single strip | Single dose |
Bottom line : Banamine Dosage for Cattle
- Injection (IV only): 1.1–2.2 mg/kg once daily, or split every 12 hours, up to 3 days for BRD or endotoxemia. For acute mastitis fever, 2.2 mg/kg once.
- Transdermal: 3.3 mg/kg once along the midline.
- Respect withdrawals: Injection 4 days meat and 36 hours milk. Transdermal 8 days meat and 48 hours milk.
- When in doubt, call your veterinarian, and document dose, route, time, and animal ID.
