Comparative efficacy of tildipirosin and cefquinome for the treatment of undifferentiated bovine respiratory disease among replacement dairy cattle raised in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of tildipirosin and cefquinome for treatment of undifferentiated bovine respiratory disease (BRD) among replacement dairy cattle (calves and heifers) inhabiting dairy farms located in Chiang Mai, Thailand. A total of 52 animals with undifferentiated BRD were enrolled in the study and randomly selected for placement in antibiotic treatment groups. Out of 52 animals, 36 animals were treated with tildipirosin and were subcutaneously given 4 mg/kg body weight once, while 16 animals were treated with cefquinome and were intramuscularly given 1 mg/kg body weight once daily over a period of three days. Physical examinations and clinical attitude scoring (CAS) were performed on Day 1, Day 2, and Day 3 of the treatment periods. The cure rates of the tildipirosin and cefquinome treatment groups were not significantly different (p > 0.05) at percentages of 75.0% (27/36) and 87.5% (14/16), respectively. However, for comparisons within groups, rectal temperatures, respiratory rates, and CAS values were observed to have significantly decreased after treatment with both tildipirosin and cefquinome on Day 3 (p < 0.05). Furthermore, rumen contraction rate was also significantly increased after treatments with both antibiotics (p < 0.05). The degree of efficacy of both antibiotics was similar when the clinical signs and clinical cure rates at the post-treatment point between the two groups were compared. Therefore, the outcomes of this study expand the options for the antibiotic-based treatment of undifferentiated BRD among dairy calves and heifers being raised in this area.