An evaluation of apramycin as an in-feed medication for the treatment of post-weaning colibacillosis in pigs

Apramycin, a new aminocyclitol antibiotic produced by a strain ofStreptomyces tenebrarius, has been evaluated as a treatment of colibacillosis in post-weaning pigs. Results are reported from 3 trials in Greece, involving 222 animals. The drug was administered in the feed at 75 ppm or 100 ppm for 21 days. Apramycin at both levels controlled diarrhoea and sickness. Mortality was significantly reduced at 100 ppm. The average daily gain of the treated animals over the three week treatment period was improved by 67% (P<0.001) for the 100 ppm group and by 42% (P<0.01) for the 75 ppm group in comparison with the untreated controls. During the same period the feed conversion ratio was improved by 46% (P<0.001) in the 100 ppm apramycin group and by 26% (P<0.05) in the 75 ppm group as compared to the untreated controls. Average daily feed intake was significantly greater in the treated groups of animals than in the untreated groups.