Efficacy of ceftiofur hydrochloride sterile suspension administered parenterally for the treatment of acute postpartum metritis in dairy cows.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of ceftiofur hydrochloride sterile suspension administered parenterally for treatment of acute postpartum metritis (APM) in dairy cows.


METHODS
Multilocation, randomized block, field trial.


METHODS
406 cows in the first 14 days postpartum.


METHODS
Cows with rectal temperatures > or = 39.5 degrees C (103.1 degrees F) without clinical signs of respiratory or gastrointestinal tract disease and with a fetid vaginal discharge were allocated randomly in blocks of 3 to 3 treatment groups: sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) solution administered at a dosage of 2 mL/45.4 kg (2 mL/100 lb), SC or IM, once daily for 5 days (control); or ceftiofur hydrochloride administered at a dosage of 1.1 or 2.2 mg of ceftiofur equivalents (CE)/kg (0.5 or 1 mg/lb, respectively), SC or IM, once daily for 5 days. Cows were evaluated on days 6, 10, and 14, and clinical cure or failure to cure was determined. Clinical cure was defined as no additional antimicrobial treatment administered, rectal temperature < 39.5 degrees C, and absence of a fetid vaginal discharge.


RESULTS
On day 14, clinical cure rates were 77%, 65%, and 62% for the 2.2 mg of CE/kg, 1.1 mg of CE/kg, and control groups, respectively. No significant differences were detected in clinical cure rates between control and treatment groups on day 10 or 6.


CONCLUSIONS
Ceftiofur hydrochloride administered at a dosage of 2.2 mg of CE/kg, SC or IM, once daily for 5 days was efficacious for treatment of APM in dairy cows.
Chenault
John R
JR
Pfizer Animal Health, 0225-190-42, 7000 Portage Rd, Kalamazoo, MI 49001, USA.
McAllister
Joseph F
JF
Chester
S Theodore
ST
Dame
Kenneth J
KJ
Kausche
Fabian M
FM
Robb
Edward J
EJ
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004716:Endometritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular / Q000662:veterinary; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000662:veterinary; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011897:Random Allocation; D013535:Suspensions; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019522:Vaginal Discharge / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary
D002511:Cephalosporins; D013535:Suspensions; C053503:ceftiofur