9 Reasons Why Antibiotics Fail from an article in Dairy Today written by Jim Dickrell

1. Pickup-itis: After purchasing, the antibiotic remains in the pick-up and is never given to the sick animal

2. Windowsill-itis: The bottle of antibiotic is set in a barn windowsill for days on end. Exposure to strong sunlight and heat can destroy much of the drug's potency. At the same time, some drugs are stored in the freezer when they shouldn't be.

3. Too-much-water-itis: Some producers will add extra water to the antibiotic powder to "stretch" the bottle. For an antibiotic to work, it must reach minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for a specified period of time. If this MIC is not reached and maintained, it's doubtful the antibiotic can be fully effective.

4. Store-the-syringe-in-the-bottle-itis: Storing the syringe in the bottle can spread dirt into the bottle, contaminating the drug. Plus, used needles are the perfect way to spread leukosis animal to animal. "Use a new needle every time," Leadley (a calf and heifer specialist with Attica Veterinary Associates) says. A 11/2" needle costs 12 cents. By using an old needle, you save 12 cents and risk the health of a $400 to $1000.00 heifer.

5. Under-dosing-itis:  under-dosing, the MIC will not be reached. "If the correct dose per day is not used, it is better not to give any drug at all," Leadly says. "Less than recommended doses might actually build resistance to the drug. The next time the animal is treated, the drug will be even less effective.

6. Frequency-of-dose-itis: " There is a great deal of variation among drugs and the vehicles in which they are suspended, "Leadley says. The only way to maintain MIC for the proper length of time is to follow your veterinarian's direction.

7. Quit-treating-too-soon-itis: An animal may "look better" in three days so you can stop treatment to save to save time, hassle and money, even though the recommended regime is five days. "Not good," Leadly says. " All antibiotics depend on a minimum length of contact with the pathogen, and it has to be sustained long enough to allow the animal's immune system to kill off the remaining pathogen."

8. One-drug-fits-all-itis: "Matching the antibiotic and the pathogen is the best insurance for effectiveness," Leadley says. "Monitoring recovery rates when uniform treatment protocols are followed provides invaluable evidence about which drugs are most effective on your farm."

9. Virus-itis: Using an antibiotic to treat a viral disease is certain to be ineffective, Leadley says. "But the immunocompetence of sick calves is always compromised, leaving them open to possible secondary bacterial infection. So, antibiotic treatment early may be best to knock out the secondary bacterial infection." In this instance, records and working with your veterinarian are essential for correct treatments. 

Beef

Spring calving continues

* Continue grass tetany prevention. Cows need 20 grams of magnesium daily or 4 oz/day of a 15% magnesium mineral mix.

* Identify calf with eartag and/or tattoo while calves are young and easy to handle and record dam ID and birth date. Commercial male calves should also be castrated and implanted according to product recommendations, Castration and dehorning are less stressful when performed on young animals. Registered calves should be weighted during the first 24 hours.

* Watch for calf scours: Give fluids to scouring calves that become dehydrated, Consult your veterinary for proper diagnosis and treatment, Move cows which have not calved to a clean pasture.

* Vaccinate calves (should be 6 to 8 weeks of age or older) for clostridial diseases (Blackleg) according to label recommendations.

* Separate cows that have calves and increase their feed.

* Line-up AI sires and/or purchase new bulls at least 30 days before the breeding season-demand expected progeny difference (EPD's) and breeding soundness exam reports and check health history including immunizations. Choose a breed and use EPD's plus visual observation to select the bull that best fits your program and budget.

* Evaluate yearling replacement heifers for pelvic area, reproductive tract score, and weight. Heifers should reach their target weight of 65% by breeding season.

* Review carcass/feedlot data when making selection decisions. 

Fall Calving Season

Pre-weaning period

* Pregnancy check the cow herd. Consider selling open cows and heifers and those weaning poor calves. Inform tax preparer if the cows and heifers were raised or purchased.

* Consult your veterinarian about a pre-weaning working of the herd which may include: Vaccinating calves for; IBR-P13-BVD-BRSV; clostridal diseases (blackleg); deworm calves; blood test of cows for herd certification

* Calves intended for feeders should be re-implanted.

* Consider the economics of creep feeding calves with grain or high quality forages.

* Marketing: Plan your calf marketing program. Alternatives include CPH45 sales (check local sale for specific requirements and dates), weekly auction markets, private treaty sales to dealers or feeders, backgrounding the calves yourself, or retaining ownership through the feedlot.

Considerations for all Cattle

* Repair fences, equipment and handling facilities.

* Plan new working facilities if needed.

Environment

* Minimize damage to grass cover by moving the feeding area and cows more often.

* Inspect stream and pond banks and plan for grazing strategies to be used in the following months.

* Monitor geotextile-gravel pads and feeding areas.

* Identify maintenance needs and areas for improvement.

* Inspect temporary water system to make sure all equipment is in good operating conditions.

* Monitor cattle and calves closely for stress/health symptoms caused by mud. Clean feed pads and move feeding equipment to minimize mud.

* Limit access to streams/ponds during the winter feeding period.

Record-Keeping

* Fall calving herd: collect and submit weaning data for CHAPS.

* Spring calving herd: update calf data worksheets.

This information is from the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service's 2005-2006 Beef Integrated Resource Management Calendar

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