Ranchers wrestle with antibiotics

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Published: May 24, 2001

Antimicrobial drugs and sulfa compounds may help solve a cattle herd’s health problems but misuse can cause bigger long-term trouble.

There has been a reduction in the inappropriate use of farm pharmaceuticals over the past 10 years, but drugs in livestock are a public health concern, say researchers and industry professionals.

“It may be more perception than reality, but we have to eliminate that perception if we can,” said Daniel Borth of the British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association.

The European Union plans to phase out antibiotics in livestock. This is due in part to claims that antibiotic-resistant bacteria are showing up in people because of the meat they eat. Sweden banned the use of antibiotics in livestock feed in the 1980s.

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“I don’t think we should be looking to the EU to set the standards on animal health, considering the wreck they have over there right now,” said Rob McNabb of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. “But consumer perception is still an issue for all of us in the livestock business.”

Trish Dowling, a veterinary pharmacologist at the University of Saskatchewan, said: “You may know Sweden banned antibiotics. What you don’t hear is that 50,000 head of their piglets died of dysentery the following year. We don’t want a ban in Canada so farmers have to take action themselves to prevent criticism of overuse.”

Borth agreed, saying his members don’t want to see too many restrictions.

Dowling said the cost to producers and consumers would be high if antibiotics were lost to the livestock industry. She said more diseased animals would be shipped to the packing plants, creating other human health problems and driving up food prices.

“Livestock might be blamed in part for the (antibiotic) resistant genes, but humans are definitely to blame. How many people have leftover antibiotics in their medicine cabinet at home?” said Dowling. “We know that if you don’t take a full course of antibiotics you are promoting the development of resistant bugs. If this is how we treat ourselves, how are we treating our livestock?”

She said consumer groups do not understand the relationship producers have with their livestock or with the livestock health industry.

“You want the best drug for your cattle, but you also want to treat them and forget them. Many of the all-inclusive new super drugs are not the way to go when treating a lot of the simple infections. Just remember to shake those bottles (to ensure proper mixing of the drug).”

She also warned producers against dosing their animals for ailments they may not even have.

Ben Thorlakson, a cattle feeder in southern Alberta and Canadian Cattlemen’s Association board member, said penicillin is no longer necessary for treating livestock.

“Penicillin should be banned for the treatment of food animals,” Thorlakson said. “We grow food and 19 percent of the population is allergic to penicillin. But producers have to learn not to cut corners in the treatment of their cattle. They should use the best products they can afford and use them as intended by the manufacturer. It doesn’t pay (not to use high quality antimicrobials properly) and it’s bad for the industry.”

Thorlakson has chosen to use veterinary consultants to advise the best treatment.

“Every drug they recommend to us is clinically tested and also chosen because it makes economic sense. Cattle producers should get good advice. It is more profitable in the end,” he said.

Dowling told 60 cattle producers at an animal care workshop in Saskatoon earlier this month that it becomes “hard to explain to consumers why there are 16 drugs available to treat respiratory problems in cattle and you guys are out back mixing something up in an old bathtub in the backyard. That has to stop. I know you guys are getting better, but it has to stop completely.”

Dowling warned producers against other bad drug habits.

“If the drug has expired, it doesn’t mean you can use twice as much of it and still expect to have the same withdrawal time or reaction of the animal.

“Some drugs are listed for intramuscular use, yet for some reason we find producers using them sub-q (under the skin). Why?”

Dowling said antibiotics should be available only by prescription and only from pharmacies rather than from veterinarians. She feels this would reduce the misuse of antibiotics and improve public perceptions about meat quality.

“Remember, you’re not treating livestock, you’re treating somebody’s dinner. You know you care about your livestock but beware of making mad pharmacological love to your patients,” said Dowling.

About the author

Michael Raine

Managing Editor, Saskatoon newsroom

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