Tom Latta, DVM, outlined the history and current trends in metaphylaxis for feedyard cattle during the recent AABP Conference. Since its beginnings in the 1970s, procedures have evolved with the availability of more effective antibiotics, more regulation of veterinary medications, greater emphasis on food safety, antibiotic residues and prevention of antibiotic resistance. Today, Latta reminds veterinarians to “use metaphylaxis as a tool, not a crutch.”
Source: Bovine Veterinarian, September 26, 2019. Link. In addition to economics, BRD is an animal-welfare issue. Latta encourages veterinarians to advocate for the animals and communicate to managers the need to consider animal well-being in mass-treatment decisions. He recommends these five guiding principles for veterinarians using metaphylaxis in cattle:
- The veterinarian is the patient’s advocate, maybe the only one.
- Typical cattle-procurement processes are not health friendly.
- Don’t mess up adrenal gland health by stacking stressors.
- Don’t neglect the gut.
- In newly arrived cattle, antibiotics are just one factor influencing animal health. Consultants also should consider the history of cattle, their condition on arrival, their number and weight and owner preferences.
INSIGHTS: From sulfathiazole and tetracycline in the 1970s to the current florfenicols and tuluthramycins, metaphylaxis practices span nearly 50 years. This article is an excellent resource to provide perspective, help move understanding and ensure focus on individual animals.