Proper use of animal health products is something that affects not just veterinarians, but also animal owners. Both hold tremendous responsibility when it comes to preventing and treating diseases in animals. Veterinarians and animal owners are increasingly facing significant challenges posed by the 16th amendment to the German Medicines Act (Arzneimittelgesetz), the planned draft amending the German Veterinary Medicine Cabinet Regulation [Tierärztliche Hausapothekenverordnung] and the German government's key issues paper on antibiotics and, last but not least, the intensive societal debates. In his presentation at Bayer's press conference entitled “Role of animal health products in modern livestock farming – improving the well-being of animals and the profitability of farms,” Dr. Franz Pirro, Head of Marketing Farm Animals at Bayer Vital GmbH, took a closer look at how the targeted, regulatory-compliant use of pharmaceuticals pays off in livestock practices.
Agriculture, and especially livestock farming, is the subject of increasing scrutiny by the public. Animal owners are expected to provide optimal conditions for keeping and feeding the animals in their care. That means they must not just ensure the animals' well-being, but also minimize the use of antibiotics. Dr. Franz Pirro gave a number of examples to illustrate where and how this can be achieved.
Breeding young animals with healthy guts is important
Often many factors play a role in the development and form of infectious diseases. Using the example of necrotic enteritis in piglets, Dr. Pirro showed how targeted control of coccidia can positively impact the incidence of illness, prevent animal losses and reduce antibiotic treatment.
Using the example of calf breeding, he demonstrated that breeding young animals with healthy guts and numerous other factors are essential for peak livestock performance. Since diarrheal diseases are regarded as a predisposing factor for respiratory infections, furthermore, it is presumed that animals with healthy guts require less antibiotic treatment overall in certain disease areas.
Farm-specific treatment concepts are needed
Uterine inflammations in cattle today are often treated with hormones or antibiotics. As this disorder generally has a high self-healing rate in any case, numerous alternative treatment concepts have been studied of late. Depending on the stage and severity of the illness, uterine infusions and particularly pain-relieving non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs represent options that reduce the need for antibiotics.
Drying off in particular is regarded as a crucial period in the operational management of udder health. First, existing udder infections can be lastingly cured in the dry period. And second, health management of the herd during this period is the determining factor for whether reinfection of udder quarters will occur. This would affect the start of lactation and would usually require antibiotic treatment and result in tremendous economic losses.
Drying off that is individually optimized for each farm and each individual animal requires intensive operational support and good communication between the farm manager and the veterinarian. However, these measures – coupled with optimal application hygiene and adequate housing and feeding conditions – ensure the animals' well-being both in terms of udder health and beyond. This in turn yields economic advantages and generally also reduces expenses for antibiotics.
A look outside the box reveals that Bayer and other innovative companies in North America are working intensively on non-antibiotic alternatives in the treatment of respiratory and diarrheal diseases. These promising new immune modulators are geared toward protecting against infectious diseases by boosting the animals' nonspecific immune defense system. According to Dr. Pirro, these or similar research approaches will significantly reduce the need for antibiotic treatment in the future.
