Naxcel

A 14 gauge 5.25 inch (13 cm) polyurethane catheter (Mila International, Erlanger, KY, USA) was aseptically inserted in the jugular vein of each horse for antibiotic administration. Blood was drawn from each horse for complete blood count and serum chemistry analysis before treatment and at the end of the treatment period. Horses were administered enrofloxacin (Baytril, Bayer Animal Health, Shawnee, KS, USA; 7.5 mg/kg, IV, q24h [AM] and 30 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, IV, q24h [PM]), ceftiofur sodium (Naxcel; Zoetis, Florham Park, NJ, USA; 2.2 mg/kg, IV, q12h), oxytetracycline (Oxytetracycline Injection 200, Norbrook Inc., Lanexa, KS, USA; 6.6 mg/kg, IV, q24h and 30 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, IV, q24h [PM]) and 0.9% sodium chloride solution (Baxter, Deerfield, IL, USA; 30 mL, IV, q12h) for 5 days. Physical examinations (heart rate, respiratory rate, mucous membrane appearance, capillary refill time, digital pulses, abdominal auscultation and rectal temperature) and evaluation of fecal output and consistency were performed twice daily. Antimicrobial drugs were administered after fecal samples were obtained. Fecal samples were collected from the rectum of each horse via a sterile rectal sleeve every morning, frozen in liquid nitrogen and subsequently stored at −80 °C until processing.

Naxcel (100 mg ceftiofur/mL; Zoetis Canada, Kirkland, QC, USA) was given subcutaneously at a dose of 2.2 mg/kg body weight to all lame cows. Every 24 h, the procedure was repeated. Simultaneously, Rimadyl Cattle^® solution (50 mg carprofen/mL; Zoetis, Belgium) was given subcutaneously once at 1.4 mg per 1 kg body weight.