Abstract:

A global multilocation study to evaluate the effect of ceftiofur sodium on preweaning mortality and growth performance

Chun Zhou, DVM, PhD; D. Dal Kratzer, PhD; Jing-Xin Zhuang, DVM, MS; Tomio Ibayashi, MS; Jorge Izeta Mayorga, DVM; Alberto Morillo, DVM, MS; Maria Sitjar, DVM, MS; Paloma Suarez, DVM, MS, PhD; H. Neil Becker, DVM, MS

PDF version is available online.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of ceftiofur sodium administered to preweaned piglets in reducing mortality and improving growth performance.

Methods: This study was conducted at six sites in five countries. Eligible farms had a history of neonatal diseases with poor growth and/or abnormally high mortality in preweaned pigs. Pigs received either 3 mg ceftiofur free acid equivalent (CFAE) per kg bodyweight (n = 2693, "Ceftiofur"), or a placebo (n = 2734, "Controls"), administered by intramuscular (IM) injection on days 1 and 7 of age and at weaning (mean 20 days of age). Mortality and average daily gain (ADG) from birth to weaning and from birth to 7 days postweaning were statistically evaluated.

Results: Mortality tended (P =.06) to be reduced in the Ceftiofur group (7.5%) compared to Controls (11.0%). Average daily gain from birth to weaning was significantly (P=.04) improved in the Ceftiofur group (0.215 kg, 0.473 lb) compared to Controls (0.204 kg, 0.449 lb). Average daily gain in Ceftiofur-treated pigs through the end of the trial (7 days postweaning) was significantly (P =.02) improved over ADG in control pigs. The percentage of lightweight piglets (i.e., pigs that were <3.63 kg [<8 lb] at weaning) was reduced by 16.2% in the Ceftiofur group, significantly lower than Controls (P=.04). The effects of Ceftiofur treatment were consistent for all six locations with numerical superiority in at least one of the measured variables.

Implications: Ceftiofur sodium improved growth performance and tended to decrease mortality in pigs from birth to weaning and from birth to 7 days postweaning under a global variety of commercial production conditions.

Keywords: swine respiratory disease, ceftiofur sodium, average daily gain, mortality, preweaned piglets

Cite as: Zhou C, Kratzer DD, Zhuang J, et al. A global multilocation study to evaluate the effect of ceftiofur sodium on preweaning mortality and growth performance. J Swine Health Prod 2000;8(3):113-117.

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