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


METHODS
Multilocation randomized complete block design trial.


METHODS
330 cows.


METHODS
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
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.
Zhou
C
C
Pharmacia Animal Health, Kalamazoo, MI 49001, USA.
Boucher
J F
JF
Dame
K J
KJ
Moreira
M
M
Graham
R
R
Nantel
J
J
Zuidhof
S
S
Arfi
L
L
Flores
R
R
Neubauer
G
G
Olson
J
J
D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004420:Dystocia / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary; D004716:Endometritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D016017:Odds Ratio; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002511:Cephalosporins; C053503:ceftiofur