NUFLOR GOLD vs Draxxin^®

Comparison of NUFLOR GOLD (florfenicol) Antibiotic and Draxxin^® (tulathromycin) for Treatment of BRD in Feedyard Cattle with a 7-Day Post Treatment Interval

Abstract. In November 2008, a clinical study was initiated to compare the effects of NUFLOR GOLD to Draxxin as a first line therapy for bovine respiratory disease (BRD). In this 60-day study, 927 high risk, cross-bred beef heifers with an average in-weight of 542 pounds were candidates for the study. As animals qualified for the study (n=244), they were randomly treated with either NUFLOR GOLD or Draxxin, and both groups used a 7-day post treatment interval (PTI).

The overall morbidity for the candidate pool was 26%, and mortality was 2.6%. There was no difference in first (p=0.42) or second (p=0.12) treatment success rates for NUFLOR GOLD and Draxxin. There was no difference in the BRD case fatality rate between NUFLOR GOLD and Draxxin (p=0.57). Additionally the weight gain (p=0.80) and ADG (p=0.81) for this 60-day study was not different between NUFLOR GOLD and Draxxin. These data indicate that NUFLOR GOLD exhibited equivalent performance to Draxxin as a first line BRD therapy with a 7-day PTI.

Study Animals

• 927 beef heifers
• Average in-weight 542 lbs

Study Design

• Timing: Winter 2008-2009
• Randomized, blinded trial
• Natural BRD clinical trial
• Metaphylaxis: Excede®
• Trial duration: 60 days
• Location: Texas feedyard

Enrollment Criteria

• Respiratory or depression score greater than 2 (2 of 4)
• Rectal temperature ≥ 104ºF

Treatments and Dosing

Initial Therapy:

• NUFLOR GOLD 40 mg/kg [6 mL/cwt], SQ, once, 7-day PTI
• Draxxin 2.5 mg/kg [1.1 mL/cwt], SQ, once, 7-day PTI

Second treatment: Baytril®

Outcomes

• Morbidity and mortality
• Body weight gains
• Feeding performance

Results. After metaphylaxis with Excede and a 3-day treatment moratorium, there were 224 eligible candidates enrolled in the study. The first treatment success was not different (p=0.42) between cattle receiving NUFLOR GOLD (66) and those receiving Draxxin (70). Second treatment success was not different (p=0.12) between groups. (See Graph 1.) However, all cattle received the same antibiotic therapy (Baytril) for the second respiratory treatment. Despite this tendency, BRD mortality did not differ (p=0.57) between NUFLOR GOLD (13) and Draxxin (11) treatment groups. The case fatality rates of 10.5% and 8.3% for NUFLOR GOLD and Draxxin, respectively (see Table 1), were not significantly different (p=0.57).

Initial weight on test (p=0.34), collected at the time of cattle enrollment on the study, and final weights (p=0.80) did not differ among treatments. (See Graph 2.) The total weight gains of 97 pounds for NUFLOR GOLD and 96 pounds for Draxxin were not different (p=0.80). In addition the ADG during the 60-day study period for NUFLOR GOLD (1.67 lbs/day) and Draxxin (1.60 lbs/day) did not differ (p=0.81). (See Table 2.)

Increased respiratory treatments from either group were associated with lower weight gains during this 60-day treatment study. Animals treated one, two, or three times for BRD (regardless of group) gained 114.6 pounds (1.91 lbs/day), 60.9 lbs (1.01 lbs/day) and 33.4 lbs (0.56 lbs/day), respectively.

Graph 1. Treatment Success for Cattle Treated with NUFLOR GOLD or Draxxin