Comparison of tilmicosin and gamithromycin for treatment of undifferentiated fever in backgrounded winter-placed feedlot calves

Abstract

A study was conducted in Alberta, Canada utilizing 2 feedlots to compare clinical efficacy of tilmicosin to gamithromycin for the initial treatment of undifferentiated fever in backgrounded winter-placed feedlot calves. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in undifferentiated fever relapse rates and crude case fatality or bovine respiratory disease/histophilus fatality rates between the 2 treatments. As a result, the cost-benefit was based on the difference in treatment cost between the 2 drugs. Using current drug costs and a treatment weight of 750 lb (340 kg), tilmicosin had an economic advantage of $2.23CAN per head over gamithromycin.