Responsible Use of Livestock Drugs Dave Sparks D.V.M Area Extension Food Animal Quality and Health Specialist

What’s the Big Deal? Residues - Drug or drug breakdown products that remain in the meat or meat products at the time of slaughter and may be harmful to consumers. They may cause disease directly such as toxins or carcinogens, or contribute to resistance. Resistance – The development of the ability of germs to tolerate antimicrobials. This makes disease in humans harder to treat and is usually caused by low dosages or too short duration of treatment in livestock.

Rx vs OTC Prescription drugs (Rx) must be either dispensed or prescribed by a licensed veterinarian for use in a valid veterinarian- client-patient relationship. Over the counter drugs (OTC) may be purchased and used by anyone as long as they are used in all manners consistent with their label.

Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship A V/C/P relationship exists when these 3 conditions are met; –The veterinarian has assumed the responsibility for making clinical judgments and treatments, and the client has agreed to follow the veterinarians instructions. –The veterinarian has sufficient knowledge obtained by actual examination of the animal or appropriate visits to the premises. –The veterinarian is available for follow up evaluation and/or emergency coverage.

Labeling Requirements The label is a legal document, either OTC or Rx. The label must tell who made it, what species it is approved for, what conditions it is meant to treat, dosage, route of administration, course of therapy, withdrawal times, special considerations. Any deviation constitutes extra-label-use.

Extra-Label-Use Only allowed when used or prescribed by veterinarian with valid V/C/P relationship. (OTC or Rx) Must carry a label which addresses all of the components of a legal label listed above, plus contact information for the veterinarian. (including withdrawal time) Only to save life or stop suffering, not to improve performance. Both the veterinarian and producer are required to keep records of all extra-label usage.

Off label use can only be used to save animal lives or prevent suffering. It cannot be used to enhance performance or production.

Some Drugs Can’t be Used Extra-Label All feed additive drugs. Flouroquinalones (Baytril) Nitrofurazones in food animals. Clenbuterol in food animals. Dipyrone in food animals. Micotil in goats Dectomax in dairy animals. Others.

Are There Penalties? Banishment from Shows. FDA fines for legal label violations or residues. Imprisonment?? I don’t know of it ever happening but FDA has the authority to pursue this through the courts in the event of serious violations.

Minor Species, Minor Use Under new regulations FDA is encouraging manufacturers to apply for minor species, minor uses approval for existing human or veterinary drugs. A minor species is anything other than dog, cat, cattle, horses, pigs, chickens, and turkeys. A minor use is any use other than the indication on the existing label. Not much action yet.

National Research Support Project USDA NRSP7 Program –For certain drugs where there is enough interest, but not enough economic incentive, USDA will do the research for a company that will agree to market the drug Wish list – go to forms and then select ADR for Animal Drug Requestwww.nrsp-7.org

What’s New? Louisiana Anaplasmosis Vaccine –Approved by USDA for experimental use in selected states –Dr. Gene Luther at LSU –Available only to licensed veterinarians. –Cost is about $6.00 / dose. –No problems with neonatal isoerythrolysis.

New Products from Intervet- Shering Plough Nuflor Gold (Rx) –Same dose and active ingredient but “formulated” to also be effective against mycoplasma pneumonia –Slightly more expensive than Nuflor Resflor Gold (Rx) –Combination of florfenicol (Nuflor) and flunixin (Banamine) –Reduces inflammation and reduces fever while combating respiratory infections.

New Product From Agrilabs Long acting tetracycline with flunixin in combination coming soon.

Encourage Producers to Develop Treatment Protocol Work with veterinarian –Relationship vital Keep hospital records –How do you know what works and what doesn’t without records Evaluate effectiveness of protocol. Change as needed

Questions?