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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. So, amoxicillin for cattle is still popular because it is both affordable, safe and effective 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 attributed to the group of semi-synthetic penicillins.
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 body of animals.
At the same time, the drug is able to be quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and distributed throughout 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 persists 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 wide 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 is wonderful;
- Salmonella spp;
- Streptococcus spp and others.
If we evaluate the degree of impact of Amoxicillin on the body of cattle, then it is classified as a moderately hazardous substance (that is, hazard class 3).
Form of issue and composition
In general, Amoxicillin for animals is available in various forms:
- suspensions for injection;
- injection solutions;
- powders;
- pills.
But for the treatment of cattle, Amoxicillin is used mainly in the form of a suspension for injection. Most often it has the form of a 15% solution, so it can be easily dosed.
Amoxicillin can be produced in dark glass bottles of 10, 100 and even 250 ml, hermetically sealed. For cattle, it makes little sense to use small 10 ml bottles. Since even for one small heifer, several such bottles may be needed.
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 exfoliate slightly, but when shaken, it instantly acquires a uniform consistency.
In addition to the most active active ingredient, the composition of the drug includes some auxiliary components:
- 10 mg benzyl alcohol;
- up to 1 ml of vegetable oil;
- 2 mg of butylhydroxytoluene;
- 15 mg aluminum monostearate.
Analogues of Amoxicillin are:
- Amoxilong 150 LA;
- Amoxisan;
- Amoxisan;
- Vetrimoxin LA;
- Klamoksil
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, colibacteriosis);
- respiratory tract (pneumonia, rhinitis, bronchitis);
- genitourinary system (vaginitis, cystitis, metritis, leptospirosis);
- soft tissues, skin and hooves (abscess, arthritis, necrobacteriosis);
- joints.
Amoxicillin is also 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.
Dosage and administration 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, 1 mg of the main active ingredient, amoxicillin trihydrate, per 15 kg of cow or bull weight).
The drug amoxicillin is injected with a syringe under the skin or into the muscle. Usually a single injection is enough. But if, after 48 hours, that is, two days, the condition of the animal requires continued treatment, then it can be re-introduced. Before each injection of Amoxicillin, the vial must be shaken thoroughly to obtain a homogeneous composition.
In one place it is allowed to inject with a syringe no more than 20 ml of Amoxicillin. This means that most cattle will need to inject the drug 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 show a local reaction, which looks like a slight swelling at the point where the injection was made. But the swelling resolves by itself within a couple of days.
If suddenly the animal showed 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 may manifest as depression, dysfunction 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 medicinal product.
Also, do not use this antibacterial agent simultaneously with:
- other antibiotics of the penicillin group;
- thiamphenicol;
- cephalosporins;
- chloramphenicol;
- fluoroquinolones.
Special Recommendations
When using Amoxicillin for the treatment of cattle, animals should be slaughtered no earlier than 28 days after the last injection. If the animals were forced to be killed before the expiration of this period, their meat can be used as feed for predatory or fur-bearing animals.
When treating lactating animals with Amoxicillin, their milk is allowed to be used for food no earlier than 96 hours (4 days) have elapsed since the last use of the drug. Otherwise, it can be boiled and used to feed 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, inaccessible to children and protected from light. Food should not be located nearby.
Subject to the above storage conditions, Amoxicillin can be stored hermetically sealed for up to 3 years from the date of production.
If the vial has been opened, then its contents must be used up 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 versatile veterinary drug for the treatment of a variety of bacterial infections.
