Multilocation trial of ceftiofur for treatment of postpartum cows with fever.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the effect of ceftiofur for treatment of postpartum cows with fever.

DESIGN:

Multilocation randomized complete block design trial.

ANIMALS:

330 cows.

PROCEDURE:

Cows with rectal temperature > or = 39.5 C (103.1 F) during the first 10 postpartum days were randomly assigned to a treatment (ceftiofur; 1 mg/kg [0.45 mg/lb] of body weight daily for 3 days) or untreated control group. Cure (no additional or alternative antimicrobial treatment used, rectal temperature < 39.5 C, and no other concurrent clinical signs of disease when evaluated at 9 or 10 days after enrollment), milk production, and rectal temperature were evaluated.

RESULTS:

Ceftiofur-treated cows were significantly more likely to be cured than control cows (56.0 vs 28.9%, respectively), with an odds ratio of 3.14 when vaginal discharge (a factor with moderate interaction with treatment) was present at enrollment. Among cows that had an abnormal calving (a significant interaction factor), treated cows had first milking yield 2.27 kg (5 lb) greater than control cows. Treated cows had a significantly greater reduction in rectal temperature (1.19 C [2.14 Fl), compared with control cows (1.04 C [1.87 F]).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

Parenteral administration of ceftiofur significantly improved cure rate, milk yield, and rectal temperature in postpartum cows with fever and vaginal discharge or dystocia. These findings provide information to determine appropriate treatment for postpartum cows, which for years has been debated in the dairy industry.

• Authors: C Zhou, J F Boucher, K J Dame, M Moreira, R Graham, J Nantel, S Zuidhof, L Arfi, R Flores, G Neubauer, J Olson
• Journal: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (J Am Vet Med Assoc) Vol. 219 Issue 6 Pg. 805-8 (Sep 15 2001) ISSN: 0003-1488 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11561658 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Cephalosporins
• ceftiofur

Topics

• Animals
• Case-Control Studies
• Cattle
• Cattle Diseases (drug therapy, prevention & control)
• Cephalosporins (therapeutic use)
• Dystocia (complications, veterinary)
• Endometritis (drug therapy, prevention & control, veterinary)
• Female
• Fever (drug therapy, veterinary)
• Odds Ratio
• Postpartum Period
• Pregnancy
• Treatment Outcome