Prophylactic treatment of feedlot calves at processing with a long-acting oxytetracycline

Authors

  • C. Albak Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N OWO Canada
  • L. Bradstock Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N OWO Canada
  • L. Cruise Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N OWO Canada
  • C. Erickson Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N OWO Canada
  • R. Foulston Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N OWO Canada
  • J. Horning Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N OWO Canada
  • M. McCulloch Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N OWO Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol0no21p192-194

Keywords:

Feedlot, calves, sustained action oxytetracycline, cattle disease, BRD, Bovine respiratory disease, mastitis, foot, infection, student report

Abstract

Feedlot operators commonly face the highest morbidity and mortality in calves within the first few weeks of their arrival at their feedlots. The objectives of this investigation were to determine whether or not a single injection of sustained action oxytetracycline (oxytet LA) given to all calves at processing is economically beneficial, and second, whether or not this regimen would change the disease and/or death patterns in these animals. 1083 calves between 500 and 800 pounds arriving at a southern Alberta feedlot during November, 1985, were used in this trial. One half of the calves in each truckload (processing group) were given a single prophylactic intramuscular injection of 6 gms of oxytet LA; the other half were not medicated at this time and thus served as control animals.

Treatment rate for the medicated group was 58.7% versus 66.2% for the control group. A mortality of 2.2% was observed in the medicated group, and a significantly higher mortality of 6.0% in the control group. Morbidity occurred earlier and more frequently in the control group. There was a large reduction in average total health cost per head in the medicated group; the net benefit was $16.30 (Can.) per head.

Author Biography

M. McCulloch, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N OWO Canada

All authors are students of the graduating class of 1987.

Cover image of the 21st Volume of the Bovine Practitioner: a photo of the Louisville skyline at sunset, the lights of the skyscrapers reflecting in the river. The sky is blue and purple and for a just moment the city seems still.

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Published

1986-11-01

How to Cite

Albak, C., Bradstock, L., Cruise, L., Erickson, C., Foulston, R., Horning, J., & McCulloch, M. (1986). Prophylactic treatment of feedlot calves at processing with a long-acting oxytetracycline. The Bovine Practitioner, (21), 192–194. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol0no21p192-194

Issue

No. 21 (1986 November)

Section

Clinical Reports