Content
With the development of new technologies, microorganisms harmful to health are also constantly being improved and require a person to create more and more modern drugs to combat them, including in veterinary practice. But there are some exceptions. Thus, amoxicillin for cattle is still popular, since it is both an affordable, safe and effective remedy for the treatment of many bacterial infections, including their new varieties.
Pharmacological group and action of amoxicillin
Amoxicillin is an antibacterial drug that can be classified as a semi-synthetic penicillin.
The mechanism of action of amoxicillin on cattle is that it disrupts the osmotic balance, which in turn leads to the complete death of the bacterial cell itself. The composition of the drug usually includes an oily filler, which ensures its long-term effect on the animal body.
In this case, the drug is able to be absorbed into the blood rather quickly and distributed over the muscle tissues and internal organs of cattle. Literally 2 hours after amoxicillin was injected into the muscle (or under the skin), its concentration in the blood plasma becomes maximum. In this case, the therapeutic effect lasts for 48 hours.
It is also convenient that the drug is excreted from the body of cattle in a completely natural way, with the help of urine, sometimes with bile, while remaining unchanged.
Amoxicillin is characterized by a very broad antibacterial spectrum of action. It is active against most gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms, such as:
- Actinomycesspp;
- Actinobacillusspp;
- Bacillus anthracis;
- Clostridium spp;
- Corynebacteriumspp;
- Escherichia coli;
- Haemophilusspp;
- Listeria monocytogenes;
- Pasteurellaspp;
- Proteus mirabilis;
- Salmonella spp;
- Streptococcus spp and others.
If we assess the degree of influence of Amoxicillin on the cattle organism, then it is classified as a moderately hazardous substance (that is, hazard class 3).
Release form and composition
In general, Amoxicillin for animals is available in various forms:
- suspension for injection;
- solutions for injection;
- powders;
- pills.
But for the treatment of cattle, Amoxicillin is used mainly in the form of a suspension for injection. Most often it looks like a 15% solution, so it can be easily dosed.
Amoxicillin can be produced in dark glass vials of 10, 100 and even 250 ml, hermetically sealed. For cattle, it makes little sense to use small bottles of 10 ml. Since even one small heifer may need several such bottles.
The suspension has the appearance of an oily liquid, the shade of which can vary from white to light yellow. With prolonged storage, Amoxicillin may even slightly exfoliate, but upon shaking it instantly acquires a homogeneous consistency.
In addition to the most active active ingredient, the preparation contains some auxiliary components:
- 10 mg benzyl alcohol;
- up to 1 ml of vegetable oil;
- 2 mg butylhydroxytoluene;
- 15 mg of aluminum monostearate.
Analogues of Amoxicillin are:
- Amoxilong 150 LA;
- Amoxisan;
- Amoxisan;
- Vetrimoxin LA;
- Clamoxil
Indications and contraindications
If you follow the instructions for use, then Amoxicillin is prescribed for certain diseases of cattle.
Infections:
- Gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, salmonellosis, enteritis, colibacillosis);
- respiratory tract (pneumonia, rhinitis, bronchitis);
- genitourinary system (vaginitis, cystitis, metritis, leptospirosis);
- soft tissues, skin and hooves (abscess, arthritis, necrobacteriosis);
- joints.
Also, Amoxicillin is used to treat umbilical infections, atrophic rhinitis, mastitis and for the prevention of postoperative surgical infections caused by microorganisms that may be sensitive to Amoxicillin.
The only contraindication to the use of this antibiotic may be the individual hypersensitivity of a particular animal to antibiotics belonging to the penicillin group.
Method of administration and dosage of amoxicillin for cattle
For all animal species, including cattle, a single dose of Amoxicillin is used. It is 1 ml of suspension per 10 kg of animal weight (that is, 15 mg of the main active ingredient, amoxicillin trihydrate, fall on 1 kg of the weight of a cow or bull).
The drug amoxicillin is injected with a syringe under the skin or inside the muscle. A single injection is usually sufficient. But if, after 48 hours, that is, two days, the animal's condition requires continuation of treatment, then it can be re-introduced. Before each injection of Amoxicillin, the vial must be shaken thoroughly to obtain a homogeneous composition.
It is allowed to inject no more than 20 ml of Amoxicillin into one place using a syringe. This means that for most cattle, the drug will need to be injected at least two points. And for some especially large individuals exceeding 600 kg in weight, even in three points.
Side effects
If Amoxicillin is used for cattle in full accordance with the recommendations above, then no side effects or complications are usually observed. In rare cases, some animals may develop a local reaction that looks like a slight swelling at the point where the injection was made. But the edema resolves by itself within a couple of days.
If the animal suddenly shows individual hypersensitivity to Amoxicillin, then the use of the drug for cattle is immediately stopped. And if any allergic reactions occur, he is prescribed antihistamines, as well as symptomatic therapy.
Overdose
An overdose with the introduction of a cattle preparation can occur only if the real weight of the animal is incorrectly estimated. If this happens, then possible symptoms can manifest itself in the form of a depression, dysfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea and others), or swelling at the injection site.
Drug interactions
Amoxicillin for cattle should not be mixed in the same syringe with any other medications.
Also, do not use this antibacterial agent at the same time as:
- other antibiotics of the penicillin group;
- thiamphenicol;
- cephalosporins;
- chloramphenicol;
- fluoroquinolones.
Special recommendations
When using Amoxicillin for the treatment of cattle, the slaughter of animals should be carried out no earlier than 28 days after the last injection. If the animals were forcedly killed before the expiration of this period, their meat can be used as food for predatory or fur-bearing animals.
When treating dairy animals with Amoxicillin, their milk is allowed to be used as food no earlier than 96 hours (4 days) have elapsed since the last use of the drug. Otherwise, it can be boiled and used for feed to other animals.
Terms and conditions of storage
Amoxicillin for the treatment of cattle should be stored in hermetically sealed packaging from the manufacturer in a room with a temperature of + 5-25 ° C. The place should be dry, out of reach of children and protected from light. There should be no food nearby.
Subject to the above storage conditions, Amoxicillin can be stored tightly closed for up to 3 years from the date of production.
If the bottle has been opened, then its contents must be consumed within 28 days, and stored after opening in the refrigerator.
If the drug Amoxicillin has expired, then its use for humans and cattle is impossible, it must be disposed of in any convenient way.
Conclusion
Amoxicillin for cattle is a convenient, inexpensive and multifunctional veterinary drug for the treatment of a variety of bacterial infections.
