Comparative efficacy of a single administration of a combination of florfenicol and meloxicam with florfenicol alone in naturally occurring cases of respiratory disease in young cattle

Treatment of bovine respiratory disease (BRD) classically rely upon administration of a systemic antimicrobial targeting Gram-negative bacteria. Addition of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs has proven to mitigate the inflammatory response and to rapidly improve the clinical condition of affected animals. Recently, a florfenicol and meloxicam combination was developed (Zeleris®, Ceva Santé Animale). To assess the efficacy of this combination in the field and to precise the benefits of combining meloxicam with florfenicol, a comparative field trial with a florfenicol-based product (Nuflor® 300, MSD) was carry out.

• 7 days after treatment, 93.9% of animals treated with Zeleris® were cured compared to 88.5% of animals treated with florfenicol alone (P=0.119).
• 6 hours post-treatment, calves receiving Zeleris® had a lower RT than calves treated with Nuflor®300 (39.4°C vs. 39.9°C, P<0.001). Moreover, 53% of the cattle that received Zeleris® had a normal RT 6 hours post-treatment while 83% of cattle treated with Nuflor®300 were still affected by fever (figure 1). Superiority of Zeleris® over Nuflor®300 was maintained for 48 hours after treatment for the control of fever (P=0.044).
• A higher number of calves showed an improvement in their CS as soon as 6h after treatment with Zeleris® compared to Nuflor®300 and up to day 3 (figure 2).