Invest Now, Save Later
Using treatments effective against Mycoplasma bovis can help save money on re-treatments later.
When trying to strengthen the bottom line and cut costs, many cattle producers often turn first to less expensive treatments. When dealing with serious challenges that contribute to bovine respiratory disease (BRD), like Mycoplasma bovis, choosing treatments that are effective to start with can prove less expensive in the long run, according to Veterinarian Daniel Scruggs, Veterinary Operations, Pfizer Animal Health.
"Producers often forget their total cost for antibiotics isn't what they pay up front, it's what they pay for the first, second and third treatments," Scruggs says. "Re-treatments for BRD — especially M. bovis-related disease — can cost producers a lot of money."
M. bovis, when combined with other viral or bacterial agents, often leads to BRD — a disease that cost the beef industry nearly $1 billion in economic losses last year from death, reduced feed efficiency and treatment costs.1
"By the time producers notice clinical signs of M. bovis-related disease, treatment may be less beneficial," Scruggs says. "That's why it's important to control M. bovis from the beginning. Producers also should involve their veterinarians — no one understands disease transmission and the unique status of organisms like M. bovis better than a veterinarian."
That's why Scruggs recommends producers work with their veterinarians to control M. bovis before it becomes a problem by treating cattle on arrival with an effective, proven antibiotic, and instituting management changes to help control the spread of disease.
Draxxin® (tulathromycin) Injectable Solution is the only antimicrobial labeled for treatment and control of BRD due to M. bovis — and one treatment can be effective for up to 14 days. In one study, 85% of cattle were treated successfully after a single injection with virtually no difference in mortality rates or average daily gain.2
"In labor and drug costs alone, a re-treat will cost producers around $25," Scruggs says. "Thinking about it another way — if it costs producers $15 to treat with Draxxin and $12 to treat with something else, but they have to re-treat 50% of their cattle with the other brand, it's actually cheaper to use Draxxin in the first place. In the end, treating cattle isn't a profit center for anyone, but effective treatment can help prevent overall losses that are truly damaging to producers' bottom lines."
Important Safety Information: Do not use in calves to be processed for veal. A preslaughter withdrawal time has not been determined for pre-ruminating calves. Effects on reproductive performance, pregnancy and lactation have not been determined. Draxxin has a preslaughter withdrawal time of 18 days. Prescribing information is available at www.draxxin.com/PAHimages/compliance_pdfs/US_EN_DR_Compliance.pdf.
1Brodersen BA, Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Vet Clin Food Anim 26 (2010) 323-333.
2Pfizer Animal Health Technical Bulletin. Efficacy of DRAXXIN, followed by 7-, 10-, or 14-day post-treatment intervals against naturally occurring bovine respiratory disease. August 2006.
Editor's Note: This article provided by Pfizer Inc.
[Click here to go to the top of the page.]