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Stanton PhD Thesis final_docx - Atrium - University of Guelph

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States were administering an injectable antimicrobial metaphylactically to all cattle for the<br />

prevention <strong>of</strong> respiratory disease (USDA, 2000). A meta-analysis <strong>of</strong> field trials indicated that for<br />

feedlot calves, administration <strong>of</strong> oxytetracycline or tilmicosin on the day <strong>of</strong> arrival at the feedlot<br />

consistently reduced morbidity rates attributable to BRD (Van Donkersgoed et al., 1993). The<br />

movement <strong>of</strong> beef cattle into a feedlot is comparable to the movement <strong>of</strong> dairy calves from<br />

individual to group housing. In both cases, calves experience similar stressors, which include<br />

nutritional, environmental and social changes, transportation, and increased pathogen exposure.<br />

Regardless <strong>of</strong> the method used to administer antibiotics, this practice must be carefully<br />

evaluated by both researchers and producers to maximize efficacy and avoid unnecessary use<br />

given the concern over developing antimicrobial resistance. The ideal circumstances for adopting<br />

this prophylactic program are the following: a targeted disease that is highly contagious and is<br />

endemic to the region, successful clinical treatment is difficult, and the risk <strong>of</strong> pathogen exposure<br />

is constrained within a short time period. In conjunction with this method, efforts should be<br />

made to reduce or minimize manageable risk factors with the goal <strong>of</strong> reducing or eliminating the<br />

need for prophylactic use. For this program to be most effective good record keeping is essential<br />

in order to review historical disease trends to identify high risk time periods and environmental<br />

triggers. In addition, these records are needed for outcome assessment to measure the success <strong>of</strong><br />

this program and other management changes made to decrease the risk <strong>of</strong> disease for efficacy.<br />

1.6 LONG-TERM IMPACTS OF BOVINE RESPIRATORY DISEASE COMPLEX<br />

BRD is a complex <strong>of</strong> disease processes most commonly resulting from infection with<br />

various microorganisms, including Pasteurella multocida, Mannheimia haemolytica and<br />

Mycoplasma bovis, Histophilus somni in conjunction with bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1) bovine<br />

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