Clinically Normal Cattle Given Nuflor® Injectable Solution or Saline Subcutaneously

Intake and Growth Performance Unaffected by NUFLOR

Abstract:

In the fall of 2006, a randomized, masked clinical study was conducted to determine the effect of NUFLOR (florfenicol) or saline injection on feed intake in clinically normal animals. Following injection, cattle treated with NUFLOR consumed statistically more feed the first seven days post treatment than the sterile saline-treated group (28.16 vs. 26.60; p=0.05).

Study Design

Study Animals

  • Steer/Bull
  • Beef
  • 80 animals enrolled in the study (40/treatment)
  • Average in weight 596 lbs.

Design of Trials

  • Timing: Fall 2006
  • Randomized, blinded clinical trial
  • Trial type: Feed intake trial
  • Trial duration: 30 days
  • Location: Texas Panhandle

Dosing

  • NUFLOR 40 mg/kg subcutaneous
  • Sterile saline 6 mL/cwt subcutaneous

Data Collection

  • Growsafe system was used to collect daily intake measurements

Outcomes

  • Feed intake
  • Average daily gain
  • Feed conversions

Conclusions

Based on the results of this study, use of NUFLOR at label dose does not affect feed intake in clinically normal animals as compared to saline injection. The average feed intake of cattle injected with NUFLOR was statistically higher than those injected with saline at seven days post injection and at 30 days post injection (p = 0.05).

Table 1 - Intake and growth performance: NUFLOR vs. Saline

Treatment

NUFLOR
40mg/kg		Saline
6ml/cwt		F-test
VariableMeanS.EMeanS.EP-value
Intake 7 days prior to treatment24.740.5323.750.630.19
Intake 7 days post treatment28.160.5326.690.530.05
Intake 30 days post treatment27.510.2826.720.280.05
BW at treatment6787.66697.80.43
BW at 30 days7939.67749.60.17
ADG treatment to 30 days3.660.173.510.170.14
G:F (as fed) treatment to 30 days0.1380.0060.1310.0060.36

Nuflor vs Saline

Results

Clinically normal animals: During the seven days prior to treatment, feed intake was numerically greater in cattle treated with NUFLOR as compared to cattle treated with saline (p = 0.19). The mean daily feed intake during the first seven days and the 30-day period following treatment was statistically greater in NUFLOR-treated cattle (P = 0.05; Table 1 and Chart 1). There were no statistically significant differences in other growth parameters measured (Table 1).

Conclusions

Based on the results of this study, use of NUFLOR at label dose does not affect feed intake in clinically normal animals as compared to saline injection. The average feed intake of cattle injected with NUFLOR was statistically higher than those injected with saline for the first seven days post injection and the 30-day period post injection
(p = 0.05).