Use of tilmicosin in a severe outbreak of respiratory disease in weaned beef calves |
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Authors: | PR SCOTT M McGOWAN ND SARGISON CD PENNY BG LOWMAN† |
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Institution: | *Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Veterinary Field Station, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG, Scotland;?Scottish Agricultural Colleges, Farms Division Office, Bush Estate, Penicuik, Midlothian EH26 0QE, Scotland |
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Abstract: | Severe respiratory disease, associated with seroconversion to bovine respiratory syncitial virus (BRSV), caused the death of two cattle and necessitated antibiotic treatment of 70 calves (rectal temperature of 39.6°C or greater) from a group of 96 (73%) during an 8-day period. Tilmicosin injection resulted in a reduction in median rectal temperature from 40.3°C to 39.2°C and 39.0°C for the first and second days after treatment. The rectal temperature was 39.5°C or lower in 72% (48 of 67) and 96% (64 of 67) of cattle 1 and 2 days after tilmicosin treatment, respectively. Ten cattle were re-treated with tilmicosin 6 to 16 days after the first treatment. Our study demonstrated that bovine respiratory syncytial virus infection could cause severe respiratory disease in a beef herd that had no previous history of BRSV-related disease. Secondary bacterial invasion after BRSV infection was controlled effectively by tilmicosin treatment but repeat antibiotic treatments were occasionally necessary due to bacterial re-infection of the respiratory tract. |
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