Veterinary Drug Order / Authorization / Prescription
DR. Good Vet
NAME OF PRACTICE
ADDRESS OF PRACTICE
CITY, STATE, ZIP
PHONE NUMBER’S
For: (Name of Beef Operation) .
DATE:
Date
Extended:
Effective for 60 days unless otherwise noted:
Vets
Date
Initials:
Extended:
SIG:
Vets
Initials:
Date
Extended:
Vets
Initials:
Product Trade or Generic
Name
Special Instructions,
(Handling, Limits, Comments)
(No Substitutions)
Withdrawals will be found in the Treatment Book
Includes all products that have a withdrawal time …
This include feed additives, injectable and oral medications (antibiotics, vitamins, supportives), vaccines,
pesticides (individual animal and premise)
NOTE: The label directions for use for ALL feed additives and feed medications must be strictly followed …
they can not be used other than as directed on the label
The following examples provide illustrations on how treatment instructions can be provide by the
cattle owner’s veterinarian that meet FDA-CVM guidelines for using prescription medications.
(Items listed are to serve only as an example for the veterinarian to follow in developing his unique protocol.)
DR. Good Vet
NAME OF PRACTICE
ADDRESS OF PRACTICE
CITY, STATE, ZIP
PHONE NUMBER’S
NAME BEEF OPERATION
TREATMENT PROTOCOL BOOK
This protocol is valid only if accompanied by a valid
Veterinary Prescription
THINK SAFETY:
Safety of yourself, the others your are working around, the animal(s), & the food !!!
NOTE: NEVER GIVE INJECTIONS IN THE RUMP OR ROUND,
NEVER EXCEED 10CC/ IM INJECTIONS SITE
Give ALL IM injections ahead of the shoulder neck.
Withdrawal times should be calculated from the last day of treatment and use the longest time listed.
DATE:
Date
Extended:
Effective for 60 days unless other wise noted:
SIG:
Dealing with Non-performing Cattle … VERY IMPORTANT
Non-performing cattle are a HIGH RISK for causing a violative residue problem. Non-performing cattle should have records reviewed by
both the veterinarian and manager before being released for salvage. Establish a minimum withdrawal (WD) time that reflects the longest WD for
any of the products administered. Animals recovering from illness may have organ damage that interferes with the normal clearing of
medications. A residue-screening test such as the Live Animal Swab Test (LAST) test may offer a margin of comfort if these cattle need to be
shipped close to their withdrawal time. Establish a residue-screening program for non-performing animals before releasing them for salvage.
Needles should have hubs of the quality designed to not allow the needle to
break off in the animal. Metal hubs are generally considered to the standard
for excellent quality but some studies indicated plastic hubs may be superior.
Change needles frequently (10 to 15 head)
Change needle if contaminated or damaged. Never straighten a
needle… the second time it bends there is a chance it will break.
18 to 16 gauge ½ to ¾ inch needles work well for SQ
18 to 16 gauge 1 to 1 ½ inch needles work well for IM
NEVER INJECT ANYTHING BEHIND THE SLOPE OF THE SHOULDER !!!
NEVER EXCEED 10CC / IM SITE !!!
1
On Each Treatment Record Include The Following:
DATE,
ANIMAL ID,
PRODUCT(S) USED (record serial numbers)
DOSE (never more than 10cc/site IM unless otherwise indicated and never inject rump or round)
INDICATED WITHDRAWAL TIME.
WITH DAY
PRODUCTS & ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION
DRAWAL
1 Super Drug 1.1cc / CWT SQ
18 Days
2-10 RTP and Observe closely for proper response
1 Non-response –re-examine, treat with Fall Back Drug 3 cc / CWT SQ
44 days
2-3 If improved. Return To Pen (RTP); then observe in home pen
1 If no improvement – Fall Back Repeat 3cc/CWT (realize after WD
COMMENTS: The animals pulled in this category are pulled because of holding back from feed, are usually active but mildly depressed and may have a high
early fever (T 105-107 F) or a mild fever (T 103-105 F). Following treatment they will be put in a “3-day sick pen” for recovery and not retreated daily. They will
be observed daily but not handled or hassled until they are evaluated on the third day. If much improved, observe the fourth day for continued improvement and
Return To Pen (RTP). If not improved, move to the “Non-Performer” pen for veterinary service and management to examine.
DIAGNOSIS
Pneumonia / Early
DIAGNOSIS
DAY
PRODUCTS & ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION
WITH DRAWAL
Lidocaine, give as outlined on the castration & dehorning guide, 5 to 10 CC per horn
or spermatic cord using a 1/2" to 5/8” 18 g needle.
21 Days
Meloxicam, give 3, 15 mg tablets / CWT orally using the meloxicam dosing device.
COMMENTS: Follow the attached guide for giving the local anesthetic, LIDOCAINE. Next give the MELOXICAM pain medication orally using the meloxicam
dosing devise provided.
Castration & Dehorning
Pain Management
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(additional examples)
WITH DIAGNOSIS
DAY
PRODUCTS & ROUTE OF ADMINISTRATION
DRAWAL
Water-belly
1 Call Veterinary Service
COMMENTS: Water-belly (urethral obstruction) cattle present with mild colic, slight straining and restlessness. The suspect animal should be rectally palpated
to establish enlargement of the bladder and pulsing urethra. If a stone is obstructing an animal from urinating it is important to surgically remove it before it
causes the bladder to rupture. Therefore, treatment should not be instituted until a positive diagnosis is obtained. Call veterinary service.
Uterine Prolapse
1
Retained Placenta
1
Call Veterinary Service
If cow not sick = Do nothing
Infuse Uterus, Oxy100 30cc
36 Days
Biomycin200 4.5cc / CWT
COMMENTS: Most retained placenta will drop without intervention. Intervention must be approached with caution. More damage and infection can be created
than the retained placenta causes. Do not attempt to remove a retained placenta for at least 10 days post calving. Bring the case to the attention of veterinary
service if the animal shows any signs of depression.
1
The “4 S’ …
Safety of yourself, Safety of the people you are working with, Safety of the animal(s) and Safety of the food supply.
It is crucial to your success in working around livestock to establish a working relationship with the operation’s and
management and personnel early when beginning your work with the operation. You should know what they want you
to accomplish and what to expect from you. If you and the personnel are not on the same page, your presence can
jeopardize your safety, their safety, the safety of the animal(s) you are working with and/or the safety of the intended
food use of the animals you are working with.
The "4 S's" … Safety is your most important objective: safety for yourself, safety of the people you are
working with, safety of the animal(s) you are working with and safety of the intended food product from which
the animals will are being raised to produce. Remember you are working with food and there are three food
safety targets in the USDA-FSIS Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) food safety program. These
are biologic, chemical and physical safety defects.
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For our part, understanding safety, being able to recognize unsafe conditions and helping others to understand safety
when handling products and animals is critical. In addition, the importance of preventing CROSS CONTAMINATION of
feces, chemicals and metal to livestock feed is also critical. HACCP can have a much broader application. HACCP
has been used by generations of people to protect their safety. Every generation has used the principles to ensure
their families safety. For example consider a physical hazard. If a young child is playing in the front yard of a home,
what is the hazard? Going in the street and being hit by a car would be one hazard. What would be a critical control
point? Building a fence, sit in the yard with the child to catch it be for it got into the street … There are several ways to
address the potential hazard. But by taking time to figure out what might go wrong, then figuring out how to prevent,
reduce or eliminate the hazard will complete the HACCP plan. Similarly, the system is applied in the home. What is a
chemical safety hazard in the home? Chemical under the sink … Controlled by a child safety lock on the cabinet door.
What is a biologic hazard? Bacteria contaminating food before and/or during preparation … Controlled by washing
preparer’s hands and cooking at the proper temperature of the required time.
Taking time to evaluate the potential safety hazard(s) that exist when working with livestock is an important
“what can go wrong” first step. Figuring out how to avoid having something that jeopardizes safety go wrong
is the important next step. If these two items are continually being evaluated in light of the “4 S’s” the
likelihood of accidents will be decreased.
Cattle Product Safety Use Guide
BQA Document by Dee Griffin, University of Nebraska, GPVEC; Revised June 2014
PROPERLY TRAINING FOR HANDLING ALL PRODUCTS IS CRUCIAL!
Vaccines



Modified Live Virus (MLV)
o Minimal Risk
 Most if not all fit in this category.
o Dangerous
 None recognized.
o Safety Action If Exposed:
 Wash exposed / injected area and treat with a topical antibacterial ointment
 See a doctor if swelling or pain develops.
Modified Live Bacterial (MLB)
o Minimal Risk:
 None.
o Dangerous:
 All have the potential to cause disease in humans.
o Safety Action If Exposed:
 See a doctor immediately and take the label / bottle of vaccine with you.
 The doctor will likely begin treatment with an appropriate antibiotic.
Killed (virus/bacteria)
o Minimal Risk:
 Most if not all fit in this category.
o Dangerous:
 None recognized.
o Safety Action If Exposed:
 Wash exposed / injected area and treat with a topical antibacterial ointment
 See a doctor if swelling or pain develops.
Medications
 Injectable and Oral:
o Minimal Risk:
 Most fit in this category.
 A potential allergic response in some individuals.
 People with known allergies to one or more antibiotics should not work in areas in which animals are being
treated … OR remove the class of antibiotics for which they are allergic from the treatment protocol and
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thoroughly clean the treatment area to remove remaining traces of the offending antibiotic before the person
works in the area.
o Dangerous:
 Micotil
 If injected has been associated with human fatality.
 If Micotil is accidentally injected, apply to ice to injection site, seek immediate medical attention, take label to
ER/attending physician, and contact Rocky Mountain Poison Control (1-800-722-0987) as they always have the
most current medical information.
 Do not load syringe until the animal is properly and adequately restrained.
 Use the “one-hand” SQ tented technique for giving injections.
 As per all injections … Micotil should be given ahead of the shoulder.
 As per all SQ injections … there is no BQA limit to the amount of Micotil that can be given in one site.
 Lutalyse (and other prostaglandins), PREGNANT WOMEN CAN/WILL ABORT OR GO INTO LABOR IF
EXPOSED TO THIS MEDICATION … this product can be absorbed through the skin … therefore pregnant women
should not handle a prostaglandin bottle, work in an area or touch equipment that may be contaminated with a
prostaglandin.
 Dexamethasone PREGNANT WOMEN CAN POTENTIALLY ABORT OR GO INTO LABOR IF EXPOSED TO THIS
MEDICATION.
o Safety Action If Exposed:
 For products other than MICOTIL … wash exposed / injected area and treat with a topical antibacterial ointment and
see a doctor if swelling or pain develops
 An accidental injection with MICOTIL should be treated as an extreme emergency … CALL 911 and rush person to
the emergency room … however there is no known antidote.
 For pregnant women LUTALYSE (and other prostaglandins), and for pregnant women Dexamethasone … wash
exposed / injected area AND see a doctor ASAP
 A person exposed to antibiotic or other medication for which they are allergic should see a doctor ASAP … if the
allergy is severe will need to call 911.
Antiparasitics
 Injectable:
o Minimal Risk:
 Most fit in this category.
 No known allergies.
 Should a person develop an allergic like response they should see or be taken to a doctor ASAP … if the response
is severe call 911
o Dangerous:
 None.
o Safety Action If Exposed:
 Wash exposed area and contaminated clothing.
 Should a person develop an allergic like response they should see or be taken to a doctor ASAP … if the response
is severe call 911
 Pour-On/Topical/Oral:
o Minimal Risk:
 Most fit in this category.
 Organophosphates potentially can be a serious hazard if handled improperly.
 No known allergies.
 Should a person develop an allergic like response they should see or be taken to a doctor ASAP … if the response
is severe call 911
o Dangerous:
 Only organophosphates are considered dangerous unless an allergic like response should develop.
o Safety Action If Exposed:
 Newer generation synthetic pyrethroids can cause a severe paraesthesia in some people depending on location of
exposure.
 Wash exposed area and contaminated clothing.
Should a person develop weakness, tremors or an allergic like response they should see or be taken to a doctor ASAP … if the
response is severe call 911
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DURABLE CURE, A management program that returns sick animals to a productive state and significantly reduces costly relapses.
The goal of the DURABLE CURE program is two-fold: 1) A first-time treated animal is more likely to become a high-performing,
profitable animal again; and 2) That animal stays with its group mates and does not suffer a disease relapse.
D.A.R.T. An acronym for the four areas that MUST be thoroughly assessed and monitored, especially in high stress or cattle with a
high risk of developing disease. DART stands for; Depression, Appetite, Respiratory index and Temperature.
All four areas must be returning to normal before treatment is discontinued. It is very important to monitor the first three items on all
cattle every day.
Try to address an animal’s disease condition during the early stages. This will greatly improve the treatment response
and minimize production loss associated with disease.
Sick Animal Evaluation: Daily monitoring of animals undergoing treatment is a key factor in the success of the DURABLE
CURESM program. If each DART element - Depression, Appetite, Respiratory index and Temperature - is normal, and the
treatment cycle has been completed, then the animal is ready to its production group (medication withdrawals met as appropriate).
If any one of the factors is not normal, then the animal MUST remain for treatment and evaluation. Questions or concerns about
the animal’s treatment response should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Depression: Depression is rated on four levels: normal, mild, moderate and severe. A normal animal is alert and moves with its
group mates. Mild depression may include signs like droopy ears or head, but the animal is easily stimulated into normal behavior.
Moderate depression means an animal appears listless and acts sore. It responds to stimulation but does not behave like its group
mates. An animal with severe depression is too weak to walk and looks close to dying.
Moving animals from its group to the treatment pen can influence behavior. An animal can easily move from severe depression to
moderate or from moderate to mild. Cattle health checkers should carefully note the animal's behavior in the home pen and
communicate that to the person responsible for treating the sick animal.
Appetite: One of the first signs of many systemic diseases, such as respiratory, intestinal or severe reproductive infections can be
loss of appetite. Animals are going off feed when they fail to show interest in feed. Watch your animal’s response to feed deliver. If
they do not appear interested something may be wrong. Try to catch animals before they have been off feed long enough to lack
fill and appear - gaunt.
One of the goals of therapy is return to full appetite, so it's important to closely monitor animals being treated for disease. Animals
with a full appetite will have a full rumen, and a normal shaped flank. Ideally, the animal should be weighed daily, but this is seldom
practical.
Respiratory Index: An additional sign of many systemic diseases is an irregular breathing pattern. This is especially true if the
animal is suffering from respiratory disease. Its respiratory rate can be accelerated, its effort to take breaths can be exaggerated,
and the depth of its breaths can be noticeably different. Essentially, an animal's respiratory index is abnormal when its rate, depth
and effort differ from those of its normal group mates.
The respiratory index is determined by observing respiratory effort, pattern of expiration and the rate of expiration. Unless the
person responsible for medial treatments uses a stethoscope to listen to lungs, close visual observation is a must.
Temperature: The normal temperature of a healthy cow or calf is approximately 102.5° F. The temperature can is influence not
only by disease, but by the animal’s environment, housing, and temperament. Remember if appropriate; adjust your definition of
normal temperature to account for these factors.
Rectal temperature is influenced by a number of factors. However, an animal with a temperature of 104° F or higher that also has
abnormal depression, appetite and respiratory index scores probably is suffering from an infective process than will require
additional evaluation and potential medical treatment. Measurement of temperature should be performed at a time of day - early
morning or early evening - when it's least likely to be influenced by ambient temperature. Temperatures of infected animals tend to
spike and respond quickly once treatment begins. But the animal's temperature must remain normal day after day, which requires
monitoring the animal for at least three consecutive days.
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BIOSECURITY
Biosecurity is a practice designed to prevent the spread of disease by minimizing the movement of biologic organisms (viruses, bacteria, rodents,
etc.) onto and within your operation. Biosecurity can be very difficult to maintain because the interrelationships between management, biologic
organisms and biosecurity are very complex. While developing and maintaining biosecurity is difficult it is the cheapest, most effective means of
disease control available and no disease prevention program will work without it.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES CAN BE SPREAD BETWEEN OPERATIONS BY:









the introduction of diseased cattle or healthy cattle incubating disease,
introduction of healthy cattle who have recovered from disease but are now carriers,
vehicles, equipment, clothing and shoes of visitors or employees who move between herds,
contact with inanimate objects that are contaminated with disease organisms,
carcasses of dead cattle that have not been disposed of properly,
feedstuffs, especially high risk feedstuff which could be contaminated with feces,
impure water (surface drainage water, etc),
manure handling and aerosolized manure and dust,
non-livestock (horses, dogs, cats, wildlife, rodents, birds and insects).
DEVELOP AT BIOSECURITY RESOURCE GROUP
An important first step is to develop a biosecurity resource group / team. Include those that may have special knowledge in control of biologic
organisms. Generally beef operations have been open to vehicle traffic and visitors.
Biosecurity has three major components: Isolation, Traffic Control and Sanitation.
Isolation refers to the prevention of contact between animals within a controlled environment. The most important first step in disease control is to
minimize commingling and movement of cattle. This includes all new purchases as well as commingling between established groups of cattle.
Even in operations that have high cattle turn over such as feedlots, keeping feeding groups from mixing is an import biosecurity measure. Isolate
feedlot hospital cattle and returned them to their home pen as soon as possible. Long acting therapies have improved our ability to minimize
movement of infectious organisms between groups. An important biosecurity action on ranches is to separate cattle by age and/or production
groups. Facilities should be cleaned-up and disinfected appropriately between groups.
Traffic Control includes traffic onto your operation and traffic patterns within your operation.
It is important to understand traffic includes more than vehicles. All animals and people must be considered. Animals other than cattle include
dogs, cats, horses, wildlife, rodents, and birds. The degree of control will be dictated by the biology and ecology of the infectious organism being
addressed and the control must be equally applied.
Traffic control within the operation should be designed to stop or minimize contamination of cattle, feed, feeding handling equipment and
equipment used on cattle. Pit silos should not be accessible from non-feed handling equipment such as loaders used outside the feeding area or
vehicles that travel outside the feed mixing and handling facility. No one (manager, nutritionist, veterinarian, banker … no one) should be allowed
to drive onto the surface of a trench silo. The only equipment allowed should be the loader used for handling the feedstuff. In large pits it may be
acceptable to allow feed trucks to enter provided they are loaded at least 100 feet away from the working face of the stored feed. If possible,
separate equipment should be used for handling feedstuffs and manure.
Vehicles and employees should not travel from the dead cattle area without cleaning and disinfecting. The dead animal removal area should be
placed in a location that allows rendering trucks access without cross-contaminating healthy cattle. Vehicle cleaning areas are becoming more
common in commercial feedlots. Unfortunately they are frequently only used for trucks and heavy equipment. Management should consider
extending a decontamination policy to other vehicles (especially tires) that are used across biosecurity control areas on the operation.
Sanitation addresses the disinfection of materials, people and equipment entering the operation and the cleanliness of the people and equipment
on the operation.
The first objective of sanitation is to prevent fecal contaminates from entering the oral cavity of cattle (fecal – oral cross contamination).
Equipment used which may contact cattle’s oral cavity or cattle feed should be a special target. The first objective in sanitation is to remove
organic matter, especially feces. Blood, saliva, and urine from sick or dead cattle should also be targeted. All equipment that handles feed or is
introduced into the mouth of cattle should be cleaned, including disinfection as appropriate, before use. Loaders used for manure or dead cattle
handling must be cleaned thoroughly before use with feedstuff. It would be best if different equipment could be used. Minimize the use of oral
equipment and instruments such as balling guns, drench equipment, and tubes. If used at processing and treatment thoroughly clean and
disinfected between animals. Store cleaned equipment in clean, dry areas. Avoid storage in tanks or containers containing disinfectants.
6
Guide for Judicious Use of Antimicrobials in Cattle
1. Prevent Problems: Emphasize appropriate husbandry and hygiene, routine health examinations, and
vaccinations.
2. Select and Use Antibiotics Carefully: Consult with your veterinarian on the selection and use of
antibiotics. Have a valid reason to use an antibiotic. Therapeutic alternatives should be considered
prior to using antimicrobial therapy.
3. Avoid Using Antibiotics Important In Human Medicine As First Line Therapy: Avoid using as the
first antibiotic those medications that are important to treating strategic human or animal infections.
4. Use the Laboratory to Help You Select Antibiotics: Cultures and susceptibility test results should be
used to aid in the selection of antimicrobials, whenever possible.
5. Avoid Combination Antibiotic Use: Combination antibiotic therapy is discouraged unless supported by
sound science!
6. Avoid Inappropriate Antibiotic Use: Confine therapeutic antimicrobial use to proven clinical indications,
avoiding inappropriate uses such as for viral infections without bacterial complication.
7. Treatment Programs Should Reflect Best Use Principles: Regimens for therapeutic antimicrobial use
should be optimized using current pharmacological information and principles.
8. Treat the Fewest Number of Animals Possible: Limit antibiotic use to sick or at risk animals.
9. Treat for the Recommended Time Period: To minimize the potential for bacteria to become resistant to
antimicrobials.
10. Avoid Environmental Contamination with Antibiotics: Steps should be taken to minimize
antimicrobials reaching the environment through spillage, contaminated ground run off or
aerosolization.
11. Keep Records of Antibiotic Use: Accurate records of treatment and outcome should be used to
evaluate therapeutic regimens and always follow proper withdrawal times.
12. Follow Label Directions: Follow label instructions and never use antibiotics other than as labeled
without a valid veterinary prescription.
13. Extralabel Antibiotic Use Must follow FDA Regulations: Prescriptions, including extra label use of
medications must meet the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA) amendments to the
Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and its regulations. This includes having a valid Veterinary-ClientRelationship.
14. Subtherapeutic Antibiotic Use Is Discouraged: Antibiotic use should be limited to prevent or control
disease and should not be used if the principle intent is to improve performance.
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