The efficacy of danofloxacin in the therapy of pneumonia associated with Pasteurella species in housed calves

The efficacy of danofloxacin, a novel third generation fluoroquinolone, was assessed in the treatment of pneumonia in housed calves on three farms in the FDR and Italy. Seventy three calves with clinical signs of acute pneumonia and rectal temperatures greater than 40 degrees C were treated with danofloxacin at a dose rate of 1.25 mg/kg for three or five days depending on response to treatment. The response in these calves was compared to that obtained in 77 calves treated with trimethoprim/sulpha. The clinical response achieved with danofloxacin was superior to that achieved with trimethoprim/sulpha and significantly fewer calves which received danofloxacin required five days treatment. Pasteurella haemolytica and, or P. multocida were isolated from the majority of calves prior to treatment. All isolates were sensitive to danofloxacin and over 90 percent were sensitive to trimethoprim/sulpha.