8 September 2011

3 minute read

Specifically, ZUPREVO is indicated for the treatment and prevention of BRD associated with Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida and Histophilus somni, the three most prevalent bacterial pathogens in the BRD complex. The product is approved for use in non-lactating beef cattle, including veal calves.

“BRD is the world’s most common and costly beef cattle disease, taking a substantial toll annually on animal health, productivity and welfare,” said Joseph Roder, DVM, global technical director ruminants for Merck Animal Health.

“Effective BRD treatment and prevention is therefore critical to protecting cattle and keeping beef operations sustainable. ZUPREVO gives you both options and puts you in control.”

Speed, duration, convenience

According to Markus Rose, DVM, PhD, senior development manager at Merck Animal Health, ZUPREVO gets its unique combination of speed, long duration and bactericidal activity from its unique, 16-membered, tri-basic molecular structure — the only macrolide of its kind.

Studies show that the tildipirosin molecule is quickly absorbed from the site of injection, reaching peak plasma concentrations after only 23 minutes (Tmax), which is faster than any macrolide antibiotic available. Tildipirosin also yields higher and more persistent plasma concentrations for longer activity than other macrolides. In comparative trials, lung concentrations of tildipirosin in cattle treated with ZUPREVO were found to be above one µg/gram after 28 days, at least seven days longer than other long-acting macrolides.

Tildipirosin also has the lowest dose volume of any BRD treatment available — one mL per 45 kg of bodyweight, subcutaneously, with a maximum injection volume of 10 mL — which means fewer injections in large animals. Its highly soluble, cattle-specific formulation is also easy to inject, even in cold temperatures.

To help producers remain flexible, ZUPREVO also offers the shortest withdrawal time for any BRD antibiotic in its class — only 47 days, as registered in the EU.

It’s about control

According to Dr Roder, the introduction of ZUPREVO rounds out Merck Animal Health’s extensive Lung Health platform for cattle, which in Europe includes the therapeutics RESFLOR®, NUFLOR®, the vaccine BOVILIS® Bovipast, and diagnostic tools and services that allow veterinarians and producers to develop customized BRD management strategies.

"With the addition of ZUPREVO, the Lung Health platform now has a complete range of solutions for BRD diagnosis, treatment and prevention," Mr Roder said.

"Our customers told us they wanted greater control over BRD. By continuously improving our Lung Health product and service offerings, we are aiming to give our customers just that.”

The official EU launch of ZUPREVO took place at the sixth European Congress of Bovine Health Management in Liege, Belgium from 7-9 September, 2011. It is expected to be available in 18 EU states in the next few months and in the US and Canada in 2012.

For more information on ZUPREVO, veterinarians should go to www.zuprevo.com or contact their local Merck Animal Health representative.