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Virbac Australia launches Australian-first combination treatment for Bovine Respiratory Disease

Announcement posted by Virbac Australia Pty Ltd 21 May 2018

Animal health company Virbac Australia has just launched a brand new combination treatment designed to tackle Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD), a major cause of economic losses to intensive farming systems.
 
BRD is one of the most costly diseases to affect cattle, as Virbac Technical Services Manager and Veterinarian Dr George Cox explains. “This disease costs cattle producers not only in treatment, labour and cattle deaths, but BRD also results in performance losses due to reduced milk production and weight loss.”
 
Dr Cox describes how the disease takes hold. “BRD is triggered by stress – and the disease often occurs after a stressful event such as mustering and livestock transportation, hence the popular name “Shipping Fever”. It can also be triggered by events like weaning, or even by a sudden change in weather.
 
“Symptoms can vary from a light upper respiratory tract infection to a full-blown flu, and even pneumonia. Essentially, stress reduces the animal’s ability to fight off infection, which allows viruses like parainfluenza and herpes to move in, causing damage to the lung’s protection mechanisms and creating the perfect environment for bacteria like Mannheimia haemolytica and Pasteurella multocida to grow.”
 
Given its impact, early identification of BRD-stricken cattle is vital. Clinical signs to look for include depression and loss of interest in surroundings, lethargy and unwillingness to move, an extended head, droopy ears, discharge from the eyes, nose and mouth, coughing and rapid shallow breathing.
 
Production losses due to BRD can be reduced by the implementation of management practices designed to decrease stress and improve adaptation to the dairy herd environment. “The most important thing is to avoid unnecessary stress on the animals,” Dr Cox continues. “If the disease takes hold, affected cattle should be housed in a less competitive environment in a hospital pen, with easy access to high quality hay and fresh clean water.
 
“Adequate nutrition is also vital,” he says – “so a top up with Multimin, which contains trace minerals that enhance an animal’s immune system can be very useful.”

Dr Cox goes on to explain that “if the disease is caught early enough, animals can be successfully treated –­ but delaying treatment can lead to very high mortality rates or development into chronic cases.” He also reveals how inflammation often plays a key role in those losses. “Inflammation is often what causes the most damage, because it results in fever and lung tissue damage, which reduces performance and prevents a speedy recovery.”

Considering the potentially devastating effects of BRD, Virbac Australia has been working to develop a new medication that offers a benchmark in the treatment of BRD. Its goal has been realised with the recent launch of a treatment that combines an antibiotic with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

As Dr Cox explains, “recovery time in cattle with Bovine Respiratory Disease can be vastly improved by administering an NSAID together with an antibiotic. This new medication is the first-generation combination to do just that – and it’s delivered with one injection, once a day over 3-5 days, improving the bioavailability of both drugs and minimising the impact on production, to give animals the best chance of a full recovery.”
 
Virbac Australia’s new medication is an innovative ‘two-in-one’ solution designed to target infection, inflammation and pain all at once. As Dr Cox explains, “its use leads to greater animal wellbeing, while at the same time supporting farmers via better welfare management and a faster return to full production. In addition, this is the first combination antibiotic/NSAID to offer a zero milk withholding period and only an eight-day withholding period in meat.”
 
For Dr Cox, the new product launch is just one example of how Virbac Australia endeavours to supply vets and producers with innovative products that improve animal immune systems and treat disease responsibly, while keeping in mind the best outcomes for both animals and producers. “This treatment offers exceptional efficacy, ease of use and action on inflammation and pain – and we have no doubt this first ‘two-in-one’ combination of two tried and trusted actives will be valued by practitioners and farmers alike.”
 
To find out more, speak to your local vet.
 
Ends
For more information contact:
 
Adam Arndell - C7EVEN COMMUNICATIONS
(02) 6766 4513
adam.arndell@c7even.com.au
 
Kate Munsie - C7EVEN COMMUNICATIONS
0421 935 843
kate.munsie@c7even.com.au
 
Photo captions:
  1. Hereford cattle in paddock
  2. Dairy cattle grazing