Evidence-Based Use of Antibiotics in Veal Calves with Diarrhea

Abstract

Diarrhea is the leading cause of mortality in beef and dairy calves during the first week of life and results in substantial financial loss [1]. Diarrhea is a multifactorial disease and can be infectious or non-infectious. However, in the majority of calves, infectious organisms, especially Cryptosporidium parvum, rotavirus, coronavirus, and E. coli, are the primary cause [2]. The aim of this study was to generate a decision tree, based on prevalence, diagnostic testing and treatment and to estimate associated costs or risk. For each of the four main pathogens, two principal approaches are outlined and compared. The first approach relies on a detailed diagnostic workup and allows for specific etiological treatment. The second approach relies on the trial-and-error method, which involves the use of a first-choice antibiotic, followed by a second-and third-choice antibiotic if the previous ones failed to resolve the disease. In Switzerland, the prevalence of diarrheic calves infected with E. coli is approximately 1% suggesting that the use of antimicrobials for the treatment of scouring calves, in the absence of a diagnostic workup, is not always justified. However, for all four major pathogens, the trial-and-error method affords cheaper treatment compared with treatment based on an etiological diagnosis. This creates a quandary in view of the current worldwide efforts to reduce the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture.

The Antibiotic Treatment of Calf Diarrhea in Four European Countries: A Survey

“…There are several issues with the antibiotic treatment of calves with NCD, as the correct indication for treatment and choice of drug is often problematic. The etiological diagnosis is the first important pitfall [ 12 ]; Viral and parasitic pathogens are more likely to be involved as primary causes of NCD than bacterial pathogens. Therefore, the majority of antibiotic treatments may not be justified [ 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

“…The etiological diagnosis is the first important pitfall [ 12 ]; Viral and parasitic pathogens are more likely to be involved as primary causes of NCD than bacterial pathogens. Therefore, the majority of antibiotic treatments may not be justified [ 12 , 13 , 14 ].…”

Non-antibiotic approaches for disease prevention and control in beef and veal production: a scoping review

“…In beef production, antibiotics belonging to classes of medical importance to humans are most commonly used in veal calves to prevent and treat diarrhea, in beef calves or stocker cattle newly arrived to feedlots to prevent and treat respiratory infections, and in finishing feedlot cattle to prevent liver abscesses (Ribble et al ., 2010; Reinhardt and Hubbert, 2015; Sneeringer et al ., 2015; Amachawadi and Nagaraja, 2016; Cameron and McAllister, 2016). The rationale for the use of antibiotics in beef cattle and veal calves to treat or prevent infections caused by bacteria and other microbes stems from the complex polymicrobial nature of bovine infections (Hodgins et al ., 2002; Hässig and Kretschmar, 2016). For example, in cases of bovine respiratory disease (BRD), the upper respiratory tract may first be infected and immune-compromised by a viral infection followed by a pulmonary infection of bacteria normally carried in the nasopharynx (Hodgins et al ., 2002).…”