MSD AH product gets approval in Europe

//31 May 2012
MSD Animal Health (known as Merck Animal Health in the USA and Canada) recently obtained regulatory approval in 21 European countries for Cobactan LA 7.5% (cefquinome) - a new-generation, injectable antimicrobial for the treatment of swine respiratory disease (SRD).
“Cobactan LA 7.5% is a long-acting version of our highly effective Cobactan 2.5%,” said Raul Berro, DVM, global marketing director swine at MSD Animal Health. “Its longer duration of action means greater compliance for swine producers with fewer injections and less stress to the animals, without sacrificing performance.”

The long-acting antibiotic formulation is effective against three major SRD pathogens in growing and finishing pigs — Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Haemophilus parasuis and Pasteurella multocida.

Considered the most important threat to the swine industry worldwide, SRD causes increased mortality, decreased weight gain and increased feed consumption. Recent research data show SRD is responsible for up to 44.2 percent of nursery deaths and 61.1 percent of grow/finish deaths.

Berro explained that Cobactan LA 7.5% requires only two intramuscular injections 48 hours apart, compared to Cobactan 2.5%, which requires three daily injections. The recommended dose rate is 1 mL (3 mg cefquinome) per 25 kg bodyweight. The product is available in 50-ml, 100-ml and 250-ml glass vials.

“Cobactan LA 7.5% also has a short withdrawal period of seven days,” Berro added. “This makes the injectable product also safe to use throughout the finishing period for the treatment of SRD.”

The use of Cobactan LA 7.5% should be according to established responsible use guidelines and strictly according to the label instructions where specific restrictions apply to this class of antibiotics.

The development of Cobactan LA 7.5% is the latest product in the field-proven line of COBACTAN products for swine, cattle and horses. Since its introduction in 1994, Cobactan has proven to be an effective, fast-acting antimicrobial.

For more information: MSD AH