Cattle producers are fully aware of the expenses that go into herd management feeding, housing, transporting and marketing and perhaps most important, overall health care.
Considering that bovine respiratory disease (BRD) costs producers between $500 and $900 million annually1-4, treating and controlling it can mean more to their bottom line. But, how can producers really know what kind of a return they'll get on that investment, and which products are going to be most cost-effective for their operations?
To help them answer those questions and more, there's an online pricing calculator from Merial, the manufacturer of ZACTRAN® (gamithromycin), a control and treatment product for BRD.
By providing specific information on their herd, producers can quickly determine which product will provide the biggest return on their investment.
"When we look at investments and potential losses in terms of millions of dollars, scrutinizing the impact of every dollar is critical to running a profitable organization," says Ron Tessman, DVM, veterinary services, Merial. "Supply and demand are not within the producers control but choosing the most cost-effective health care option is, which is why this calculator can be so valuable for them."
ZACTRAN is a member of the powerful macrolide drug class and works similarly to DRAXXIN® (tulathromycin) and other macrolides but ZACTRAN costs significantly less.2, 5
Clinical signs of BRD producers should watch for include, but are not limited to:
- quick or labored breathing
- gaunt appearance
- nasal discharge
- rough hair coat
- dry muzzle
- and depression.
BRD is also often observed in calves following the first movement to group housing after weaning. Studies have shown treatment of calves with the appropriate antimicrobial at this first movement significantly reduces the incidence of BRD in the subsequent 60 days. These calves grew better, were more likely to survive to first lactation, were younger at first calving and were less likely to have calving difficulty. Calves with no BRD reported within 60 days after this control therapy also produced more milk on the first test day after calving.
ZACTRAN has been proven to generate a 24-hour rapid response in treatment field trials in clinically ill cattle.
Other benefits of ZACTRAN, as determined in BRD field trials, include:
- In treatment trials, the majority of clinically ill cattle treated with ZACTRAN recovered and stayed healthy for the 10-day study.
- In control trials, the majority of lightweight, high-risk cattle treated with ZACTRAN stayed healthy for the 10-day study.
To learn more, visit www.zactran.com/calculator-menu/.
ZACTRAN IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: For use in cattle only. Do not treat cattle within 35 days of slaughter. Because a discard time in milk has not been established, do not use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, or in calves to be processed for veal. The effects of ZACTRAN on bovine reproductive performance, pregnancy and lactation have not been determined.
About MerialMerial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health and well-being of a wide range of animals. Merial employs 6,100 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide with over 2 billion of sales in 2014.
Merial is a Sanofi company.
For more information, please see www.merial.com.
6.16.2015