Efficacy of danofloxacin in the therapy of acute bacterial pneumonia in housed beef cattle

Animal Health Product Development, Pfizer Central Research, Sandwich, Kent.

Danofloxacin, a novel fluoroquinolone antimicrobial drug was evaluated in the treatment of acute bacterial pneumonia in recently housed beef cattle of approximately 300 kg liveweight. The clinical responses of 67 pneumonic cattle treated with danofloxacin were compared with those of 65 cattle treated with oxytetracycline, both treatments being given by intramuscular injection for either three or five days, depending on clinical response. Both treatments resulted in a rapid fall in group mean rectal temperature and improved the clinical condition of the majority of cases. However, in comparison with oxytetracycline, danofloxacin therapy was characterised by significantly fewer treatment days, a higher response rate, significantly better reduction of pyrexia and fewer cattle requiring re-treatment.