Comparative efficacy of ceftiofur crystalline free acid and florfenicol-flunixin meglumine for undifferentiated fever treatment in feedlot calves administered tulathromycin metaphylactically on arrival

Authors

  • Eric J. Behlke Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd., PO Box 140, Okotoks, Alberta TlS 2A2, Canada
  • Sherry J. Hannon Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd., PO Box 140, Okotoks, Alberta TlS 2A2, Canada
  • Tye Perrett Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd., PO Box 140, Okotoks, Alberta TlS 2A2, Canada
  • Oliver C. Schunicht Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd., PO Box 140, Okotoks, Alberta TlS 2A2, Canada
  • Christopher A. McMullen Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd., PO Box 140, Okotoks, Alberta TlS 2A2, Canada
  • Brian K. Wildman Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd., PO Box 140, Okotoks, Alberta TlS 2A2, Canada
  • R. Kent Fenton Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd., PO Box 140, Okotoks, Alberta TlS 2A2, Canada
  • Luis O. Burciaga-Robles Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd., PO Box 140, Okotoks, Alberta TlS 2A2, Canada
  • Matthew L. May Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd., PO Box 140, Okotoks, Alberta TlS 2A2, Canada
  • G. Kee Jim Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd., PO Box 140, Okotoks, Alberta TlS 2A2, Canada
  • Sameeh M. Abutarbush Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, PO Box 3030, Irbid, Jordan, 22110
  • Calvin W. Booker Feedlot Health Management Services Ltd., PO Box 140, Okotoks, Alberta TlS 2A2, Canada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol49no1p48-54

Keywords:

BRD, treatment, florfenicol, flunixin meglumine, ceftiofur, tulathromycin, calves, costs, diagnosis, efficacy, feedlots, fever, flunixin, potency, profitability, beta-lactam antibiotics, antibiotics

Abstract

A field study was conducted at commercial feedlots to compare the relative efficacy of ceftiofur crystalline free acid (CCFA) and florfenicol-flunixin meglumine (FFM) for undifferentiated fever (UF) treatment in calves that were administered tulathromycin metaphylactically on arrival. At the time of initial diagnosis of UF, experimental calves (n=1,056) were randomly allocated to 2 experimental groups, CCFA and FFM. Calves in the CCFA group (n=530) were administered 3.0 mg/lb (6.6 mg/kg) BW of ceftiofur crystalline free acid subcutaneously (SC) at the base of the ear. Calves in the FFM group (n=526) were administered a combination of 18.1 mg/lb (40.0 mg/kg) florfenicol+1.0 mg/lb (2.2 mg/kg) flunixin meglumine SC in the neck region. The first UF relapse treatment rate was lower in the CCFA group compared to the FFM group (P=0.011). The third UF relapse treatment rate was also reduced in the CCFA group (P=0.032), but no difference was detected in the second UF relapse treatment rate between the 2 groups. No differences in overall chronicity, wastage, salvage slaughter, or mortality rates were detected between the 2 groups at the P?0.05 level. There was a net economic advantage of $10.35/treated animal in the CCFA group, driven primarily by the lower initial UF treatment cost when compared to the FFM group.
Cover image of Volume 49, No. 1 of the Bovine Practitioner: A photo of an old two-story wooden farmhouse with a rusted tractor in the front yard. A single cow is grazing near an outbuilding.

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Published

2015-02-01

How to Cite

Behlke, E. J., Hannon, S. J., Perrett, T., Schunicht, O. C., McMullen, C. A., Wildman, B. K., Fenton, R. K., Burciaga-Robles, L. O., May, M. L., Jim, G. K., Abutarbush, S. M., & Booker, C. W. (2015). Comparative efficacy of ceftiofur crystalline free acid and florfenicol-flunixin meglumine for undifferentiated fever treatment in feedlot calves administered tulathromycin metaphylactically on arrival. The Bovine Practitioner, 49(1), 48–54. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol49no1p48-54

Issue

Vol. 49, No. 1 (2015 Spring)

Section

Articles

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