A New Antibiotic For Cattle: New Responsibilities For Producers
Saturday, June 11th, 2011
UCD VET VIEWS
CALIFORNIA CATTLEMAN, OCTOBER 1998
This month, a new antibiotic for the treatment of respiratory disease in cattle is scheduled for release. This antibiotic is a member of a new class of antibiotics: fluoroquinolones. A previous column about fluoroquinolone antibiotics was written in this publication back in 1996 (February 1996; Fluoroquinolone antibiotic use in cattle). There has been a fair amount of controversy about this class of antibiotics in human medicine and veterinary medicine circles. The controversy revolves around the concern that bacterial resistance to the fluoroquinolones will develop and result in the emergence of "Super Bugs". These bacteria would then be resistant to the fluoroquinolones. These bacteria could infect humans, and no effective therapy would be available. Those concerned postulate that using these antibiotics in food animals, such as cattle, would accelerate the potential of developing bacterial resistance. While this concern has theoretical potential, the practical potential is extremely small or non-existent. This class of antibiotics is used routinely in human patients and in companion animal patients (including horses). These humans and animals are in much closer contact with other humans than the products of food animals. While the scientific merit of these concerns is questionable, the effects of this controversy will clearly affect the use of this antibiotic in cattle.