Parenteral amoxycillin/clavulanate in the treatment of diarrhoea in young pigs
Webster, C.J.
Veterinary Record 126(15): 363-364
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 2186563 Document Number: 351296
Unweaned piglets aged up to 4 weeks with naturally occurring diarrhoea associated with coliform bacteria were treated with amoxicillin/clavulanate by intramuscular infection at a dose of 1 ml/20 kg, once daily for at least 3 days or with trimethoprim potential sulphadiazine (Tribrissen) by i/m injection at its recommended dose rate once daily for not less than 3 days. No adjunctive antibacterial therapy was used but rehydration fluids were permitted. Of 108 pigs treated with amoxicillin/clavulanate, 51 (47.2%) had a clinical response score 1 (rapid, total remission of clinical signs with minimal loss of productivity), 39 (36.1%) had a score of 2 (slower remission of clinical signs and some loss of productivity) and 18 (16.7%) had a score of 3 (protracted remission of clinical signs, chronic loss of productivity, death). Of 103 pigs treated with trimethoprim-potentiated sulfadiazine 20 (19.4%) scored 1, 40 (38.8%) scored 2 and 43 (41.7%) scored 3. The amoxicillin/clavulanate treatment was associated with a satisfactory outcome (clinical response scores 1 and 2). Significantly more frequently than with trimethoprim-potentiated sulfadizine. In 21 cases that were treated with amoxicillin/clavulanate an enterotoxigenic serotype of Escherichia coli was isolated, 13 (62%) of these cases responded satisfactorily. Some isolated were resistant in vitro to ampicillin but none tested were resistant to ampicillin/clavulanate.