Banamine Dosage for Cattle: A Clear, Vet-Backed Guide

Banamine dosage for cattle (flunixin meglumine) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used in cattle to control fever (pyrexia) and inflammation from specific conditions. Getting the dose, route, and withdrawal times right protects animal welfare, keeps food safe, and keeps you compliant.

Below is a practical, plain-English guide built from current U.S. labeling and regulatory sources. Always use Banamine under veterinary direction.

What Banamine is approved to treat in cattle

According to the FDA-approved labeling, Banamine is indicated 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 dosage for cattle

1. Banamine Injection (50 mg/mL)

• Cattle route: Intravenous (IV) only. IM use in cattle is not approved and has resulted in violative residues.

  DailyMed

2. 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/endotoxemia (fever control) and inflammation in endotoxemia
  1.1–2.2 mg/kg (0.5–1.0 mg/lb; 1–2 mL per 100 lb) IV, given once daily as a single dose or divided into two doses 12 hours apart, 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 (1 mg/lb; 2 mL per 100 lb) IV, one time.

Quick volume examples (Injection):

• 600-lb feeder: 6–12 mL IV (depending on whether you use 1 or 2 mL per 100 lb).

• 1,300-lb cow (acute mastitis): 26 mL IV one time.
  These align with the label’s “1–2 mL per 100 lb” and “2 mL per 100 lb” directions.

2) Banamine Transdermal (pour-on)

• BRD pyrexia, acute mastitis pyrexia, and pain associated with foot rot
  3.3 mg/kg (1.5 mg/lb; 3 mL per 100 lb) once, applied in a narrow strip from withers to tailhead.
  Do not apply if the hide is wet or may get wet within 6 hours. Effect can be temperature-dependent. 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 (U.S.)

Getting this wrong risks tank dumps, carcass holds, and regulatory action. Labeling states:

• 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.

  • Veal/preruminating calves: Not established; do not use.

  • Do not use in dry dairy cows.

  • IM use has led to violative residues; do not give IM in cattle.

    DailyMed

• Transdermal (pour-on)

  • Meat: Do not slaughter within 8 days of treatment.

  • Milk: Discard during treatment and for 48 hours after dosing.

  • Not for dry dairy cows, dairy calves, veal calves, replacement dairy heifers ≥ 20 months, or beef and dairy breeding bulls > 1 year.

Tip: When treatment falls outside the label (extra-label), you must work with your veterinarian to set an appropriate withdrawal interval. FARAD’s WDI tools are the standard reference your veterinarian uses for this.

Who should not receive Banamine

• Cattle within 48 hours of expected calving (flunixin can delay parturition).

• Animals with suspected gastric ulcers or renal compromise unless your vet advises otherwise.

• Bulls intended for breeding have not been evaluated for some formulations; follow label restrictions.

• Dry dairy cows, veal/preruminating calves, and additional classes restricted by the transdermal label as listed above.

Safe administration and good stewardship

• Route matters. In cattle, use IV only for the injectable product. Do not give IM or SQ; that is off-label and has been tied to residues and trim losses.

• Dose once daily unless label says otherwise, and never exceed 2.2 mg/kg per day with the injection.

• Avoid stacking NSAIDs or giving with corticosteroids unless your veterinarian says so; this increases GI and kidney risk.

  Handle the pour-on carefully. It can cause serious eye injury and skin irritation; wear proper PPE and avoid dosing on wet hides.

Extra-label drug use (ELDU) basics you should know

Using Banamine in any way not on the label (for example, different route, species, dose, or indication) is extra-label and is legal only under a veterinarian within a valid VCPR per AMDUCA and 21 CFR 530. For food animals, ELDU requires careful withdrawal setting to avoid residues.

Handy dose quick-chart

Sources: FDA-approved labels.

FAQs About Banamine dosage for cattle

Can I give Banamine IM to cattle?
No. The injectable label for cattle is IV only. IM administration in cattle has produced violative tissue residues and is not allowed by the label.

How often can I give Banamine?
For the injection, do not exceed 2.2 mg/kg total per day and do not treat more than 3 days for the BRD/endotoxemia indication. Mastitis fever control is one dose. The pour-on dose is one time. Follow your veterinarian’s plan.

What about using Banamine for dehorning or castration pain?
Analgesia for these procedures typically involves extra-label strategies. That requires a veterinarian and compliance with AMDUCA. Your vet may discuss alternatives or adjuncts and will set a withdrawal interval if ELDU is used.

What if I need an off-label route or repeat a pour-on sooner?
That is ELDU. You must consult your veterinarian, who will determine if it is justified and establish a withdrawal interval using evidence-based resources such as FARAD.

Bottom line

• Injection (IV only): 1.1–2.2 mg/kg once daily (or split q12h) up to 3 days for BRD/endotoxemia; 2.2 mg/kg once for acute mastitis fever.

• Transdermal pour-on: 3.3 mg/kg once along the midline.

• Respect withdrawals: Injection 4 days meat / 36 hours milk; Pour-on 8 days meat / 48 hours milk.

• When in doubt, call your vet and document dose, route, time, and animal ID for residue avoidance.