AVPG - Cattle and horses flipbook
The Australian Veterinary Prescribing Guidelines cattle and horse flipbook, detailing antimicrobials for use in cattle and horses.
This page will outline guidelines for antimicrobial use for the following bovine gastrointestinal diseases:
- Enteritis in adult cattle
- Peritonitis
Enteritis in adult cattle
Diagnostics
Faeces should be submitted for culture and susceptibility testing if Salmonellosis is suspected.
Treatment
Antimicrobial therapy is not indicated for enteritis in adult cattle that are systemically well.
Systemic antimicrobials are indicated when:
- Invasive Salmonellosis is suspected
- Signs of sepsis
Trimethoprim / sulphonamide or oxytetracycline are suitable choices.
Duration of therapy
5 days is generally considered adequate.
Periotonitis
Diagnostics
Abdominocentesis is recommended for cytological evaluation at a minimum and preferably also for culture and susceptibility testing.
Consider origin of bacterial contamination as this affects prognosis.
Treatment
Broad-spectrum coverage is required as a mixed population of bacteria are usually present, including anaerobes.
Oxytetracycline is preferred. Trimethoprim / sulphonamide is a suitable alternative. Both should be used twice daily.
Duration of therapy
Dependent on severity. Mild cases (post-surgery) may respond in 5 days. GI contamination (i.e. following rupture of an abomasal ulcer) may require 2-3 weeks of therapy.
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