Systemic Antimicrobial Therapy in Beef Cattle

Pharmacologic and Therapeutic Considerations

Abstract

Factors which should be considered when selecting an antimicrobial agent for systemic treatment of a bacterial infection in beef cattle include:
1. Cost of an effective course of treatment.
2. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the causative bacterium.
3. The concentrations of the various candidate antimicrobial drugs which can be achieved in the precise location of the infection.
4. Rates of antimicrobial excretion and/ or metabolism.
5. The shortest achievable treatment interval.
6. The location of the infectious process.
7. The pH in the area of infection.
8. The preferred route of drug administration.
9. Potential toxicologic proble.ms which may result from adminstration of certain antimicrobial drugs.
10. The withdrawal period required prior to slaughter.