An Economic Model That Assesses Costs and Impacts for Dairy Producers as a Consequence of Variable Antibiotic Treatment Compliance

Abstract

The economic impact of partial or noncompliance to antibiotic medications for infections in dairy cattle has not been well studied. In humans, there are multiple published economic models that analyze the impact of treatment compliance with antibiotic effectiveness and resolution of patient symptoms. In cattle medicine, antibiotic agents with reduced-dosing regimes have become available that may result in better compliance relative to older agents. A decision analytic model was developed to examine the costs and consequences associated with antibiotic compliance across various antibiotic regimens from the perspective of the dairy producer.