EFFECT OF CEFTIOFUR IN THE CONTROL OF URINARY INFECTION IN SOWS: RESULTS OF A FIELD TRIAL IN A FRENCH FARROW TO FINISH UNIT

摘要

Urinary tract infection is a major cause of mortality and reduced productivity in sows. Actinobaculum (Eubacterium) suis is the specific agent responsible for cystitis and pyelonephritis (1, 2, 3). Its sensitivity to antibiotics may vary. Ceftiofur (Excenel~R), a betalactam antibiotic, is very active on this species and was used in this trial to control losses on a heavily affected farm. The trial was conducted from July 1996 to July 1999 in a 170 sow commercial herd in France. This herd is an indoorfarrow-to-finish operation with good management practices, but more than 30% of the sows were affected by urinary infections and MMA syndrome. Bacteriological examinations performed in 1996 and 1997 only allowed to isolate Escherichi coli. Antibiotic treatment was set up by administration of flumequin 2 days before and 3 days after farrowing (12 mg/kg body weight).