Effects of the additional treatment with Metacam (R) (Meloxicam) on the course of acute respiratory disease in bovines

The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the effects of a treatment with Metacam(R) in combination with an antibiotic in bovines suff ering from acute respiratory disease. The study comprised 184 animals, whic h were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups. All animals were t reated with tilmicosin. The Metacam(R) group additionally received a single intravenous injection of Metacam(R) (0.5 mg/kg). Clinical examinations wer e conducted and body weights were measured over a period of 90 days. The cl inical index score representing a summation of the examined clinical parame ters was significantly lower in the Metacam(R) group at all Lime points up to day 7. Lower values corresponded to a less severe clinical condition. Fe wer animals of the Metacam(R) group had to be additionally treated for resp iratory disease within the evaluation period of 90 days. The weight gain of the animals of this group was significantly higher in this period; the act ual values were 88 kg in the controls in contrast to 95 kg in the Metacam(R )-treated animals. An accelerated clinical recovery was found in the Metaca m(R)-treated animals which led to a reduction of the production loss associ ated with bovine respiratory disease.