Susceptibility of Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, and Histophilus somni to florfenicol in Europe, US and Canada

One single administration early in the course of the disease: Prevents further multiplication of bacteria fast, and provides anti-prostaglandin, anti-endotoxic and analgesic action to curb further tissue damage.  Duration of the antibiotic and NSAID are about equal.  Cattle are put back onto feed faster with fewer relapses and lung lesions, and a better post-Rx daily mass gain compared to injection of the antibiotic alone. Meloxicam is safe for vultures as opposed to flunixin; In cold weather syringability is better compared to other florfenicol-NSAID combinations

Fast acting, broad spectrum antibiotic effective against the most important bacterial pathogens in BRD, Footrot, (after one sc injection), Swine and Ovine respiratory disease. Treatment is to be as early as possible in the course of the disease.  Florfenicol is NOT used in human medicine and is therefore ideally suited for use in food animals to circumvent bacterial resistance against antibiotics used in human medicine.  Few bacterial resistance problems are seen in cattle.  Florfenicol is effective against Mycoplasma bovis – the pathogen that aggravates BRD by making it more chronic (MIC₉₀ = 4μg/ mℓ).  We recommend that Florkem be used only therapeutically and NOT for metaphylaxis.