The effects of pretransportation or arrival meloxicam administration to calves entering the feedlot on morbidity, biomarkers, performance, and carcass characteristics. Issue 2 (13th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Van Engen, Nicholas K; Engelken, Terry J; Lockard, Caleb G; Lakritz, Jeffery; Cernicchiaro, Natalia; Wilson, Blake K; Krehbiel, Clint R; Coetzee, Johann F
• Is Part Of: Translational animal science. Volume 3:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 620
• Page End: 632
• Publication Date: 2019-05-13
• Subjects: bovine respiratory disease -- biomarkers -- cattle -- meloxicam -- performance; Livestock -- Periodicals; Livestock; Periodicals; 636.005
• DOI: 10.1093/tas/txz070
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2573-2102

Abstract

Abstract: The objective of this trial was to investigate the effects of using meloxicam as a pretransport or on arrival therapeutic on disease outcomes of bovine respiratory disease (BRD), biomarker outcomes associated with BRD, performance characteristics over the first 42 d on feed, and carcass traits at harvest in cross bred beef cattle. Multisourced, crossbred steer calves ( n = 168) consisting of mainly British and British-Continental breeds were purchased from an auction market in central Missouri. Calves were processed prior to transportation and again upon feedlot arrival. Animals were randomized to 3 separate treatments: pretransport meloxicam (PMEL), arrival meloxicam (AMEL), and a control group receiving inactive excipient (CONT). Dosing at 1 mg/kg on weighted averaged administered per os. Animals were weighed and blood was collected pre- and post-transport. Haptoglobin (Hp)-matrix metaloproteinase (MMP)-9 complex, cortisol, and substance P were quantified. Weights were taken again at 42 d and at harvest. Clinical signs of BRD were monitored using indicators of depression, appetite, respiration, and temperature that qualified the animals for treatment. Harvest parameters were collected using a standardized United States Department of Agriculture grading system for quality grade and yield grade. Meloxicam did not have a significant effect on BRD morbidity over the course of the study and there was no significant effect on performance characteristics at 42 d ( P > 0.10). Of the calves that did succumb to BRD, no significant differences were found in severity of disease ( P > 0.10). Concentrations of substance P and Hp- MMP-9, were increased on arrival ( P ≤ 0.05) however no significant treatment effect or interaction were found between AMEL, PMEL, CONT, or across different levels of biomarkers ( P > 0.10). Meloxicam use prior to or on arrival does not mitigate disease or improve performance during the feeding period.