A new type of medicated cow feed is available for dairy cows. Type C contains a new animal drug called monensin. It can be administered as a complete feed or free-choice in combination with other types of feed. The feed is manufactured by diluting Type A or Type B medicated articles. Monensin was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in October 2004 for increased milk production efficiency in dairy cows.
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Regulation of medicated feeds
Medicated cow feed has become a common source of controversy because it is illegal to sell to the public without proper FDA approval. Medicated feeds are manufactured by firms that have obtained federal feed mill licenses. Unlike other firms, those with a FML are inspected by the MDARD annually and must adhere to strict regulations. The FDA publishes helpful guidelines for the industry and manufacturers of medicated feed. This article explores the issues involved with the regulation of medicated cow feed.
In the United States, the regulations will soon take effect. This new regulation is intended to help limit antibiotic resistance in livestock by limiting the use of antimicrobials for growth and feed efficiency. It is not intended to eliminate the use of antimicrobials, but it will simplify their use and storage, as well as the required records. One important distinction to make between medicated feed and antibiotics is that VFDs will not be sold over-the-counter (OTC) through feed dealers.
Labeling requirements
There are two types of labeling requirements for medicated cow feed: the guaranteed analysis section and the net quantity statement. The latter is a mandatory element. It must be specified for each individual feed product and must be in accordance with the intended use. The guaranteed analysis section must state the amount of certain substances in each product. It must be in percentages and must state the amount of each substance. The guaranteed analysis section of feed products must also be customized for each species.
In addition to the name of the feed product, a VFD order is required. This order allows the use of a VFD drug in an animal feed according to the directions contained on the label. Currently, only antibiotics are covered by the rule. Antimicrobial agents are also covered. However, other’medically important’ compounds are not. In such cases, they need a license from a licensed veterinarian and follow regulations to prevent cross-contamination. The FDA has also ruled that uses of these compounds for growth promotion or feed efficiency must follow approved labeling requirements. Currently, there are two types of labels.
Recirculating tank systems for medicated feeds
Medicated cow feed is generally mixed prior to use. To avoid contamination of the ration, liquid medicated feeds should be recirculated before use. A recirculating tank system should agitate the feed prior to use so that the turbulence visible on the top is not diluted. Medicated feed containing oxytetracycline (OTC) should be mixed with clean water.
FDA regulations regarding free choice and liquid medicated feeds are changing. The new regulations clarify the requirements for preparing animal drugs, provide more precise provisions, and respond to citizen petitions and comments from the industry association. The new regulations clarify which medicated feeds can be manufactured in facilities that are not licensed feed mills. Ultimately, they are in line with the ADAA provision. Recirculating tank systems for medicated cow feed are the only safe way to ensure that medicated cow feed is produced safely.
Symptoms of coccidiosis in dairy cows
When evaluating dairy cows for coccidiosis, a clinician must consider the clinical signs. Often, diarrhea precedes the highest oocyst count. It is important to note that merozoite damage to the colonic epithelium causes diarrhea before full patency develops. Although some oocyst counts may be artificially elevated, the highest count is considered significant. When accompanied by clinical signs, a necropsy should be performed to determine the cause of the disease.
The most common clinical signs of coccidiosis are skin lesions, abdominal pain, and red water. Cows may also have tenesmus, which is a condition where they have trouble concentrating on eating and drinking. The symptoms of this disease are typically difficult to distinguish from those of other bacterial infections of the lymph nodes. Some symptoms may appear as late as the third week of the disease.
Antibiotic resistance in livestock
A new study has investigated the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli (TEC) in feedlot steers. It collected fecal samples of 3,300 steers over a 314-day period. The steers were fed barley silage for the first 30 days and then switched to a grain-based diet. The animals shed TET and ampicillin-resistant E. coli bacteria and a broad spectrum of bacterial pathogens.
The pharmaceutical industry has tried to curb the rise of antibiotic resistance in livestock by removing non-therapeutic uses of some of these antibiotics. However, the continued use of antibiotics in livestock may have accelerated the development of resistance in bacteria that are responsible for human diseases. While no human infections have been reported from antibiotic-resistant livestock, there have been cases of colonization of human populations by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
