European approval granted for swine injection

Regulatory approval has been given in 21 European countries for an injectable antimicrobial for the treatment of swine respiratory disease (SRD).

"COBACTAN LA 7.5% is a long-acting version of our highly effective COBACTAN 2.5%," said Raul Berro, DVM, global marketing director swine at MSD Animal Health.

"Its longer duration of action means greater compliance for swine producers with fewer injections and less stress to the animals, without sacrificing performance."

The long-acting antibiotic formulation is effective against three major SRD pathogens in growing and finishing pigs - Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, Haemophilus parasuis and Pasteurella multocida.

Considered the most important threat to the swine industry worldwide, SRD causes increased mortality, decreased weight gain and increased feed consumption.

Recent research data show SRD is responsible for up to 44.2 percent of nursery deaths and 61.1 percent of grow/finish deaths.

COBACTAN LA 7.5% requires two intramuscular injections 48 hours apart, compared to COBACTAN 2.5%, which requires three daily injections.

"It also has a short withdrawal period of seven days," Berro added. "This makes the injectable product also safe to use throughout the finishing period for the treatment of SRD."