Mastocefur

Therapeutic indications:

The drug is applied:

• at the start of the dry period in cows,
• during dry period for the treatment and prevention of bovine mastitis caused by ceftiofur-sensitive microorganisms.

Composition of the veterinary drug:

9 g of the preparation (one syringe) contains:

• 500 mg of ceftiofur hydrochloride (CEF) as an active substance.

Pharmacological activity:

The drug contains ceftiofur, an antibacterial substance of the cephalosporin group. Ceftiofur is a semi-synthetic third-generation cephalosporin.

Ceftiofur has a broad spectrum of action against: gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Corynebacterium spp., Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, and coagulase-negative staphylococcus (Staphylococcus xylosus, Staphylococcus warneri, Staphylococcus simulans), etc.

Ceftiofur inactivates penicillin-binding proteins involved in the synthesis of the main biopolymer of bacterial cell wall (peptidoglycan).  This prevents reparation of pentidoglycan chains and leads to the cell wall weakening and further bacteria lysis.

When administered via intramammary injection, ceftiofur is poorly absorbed, providing its high concentration in the udder tissues. After the drug administration, the high concentration of ceftiofur in the udder secretion is maintained for 19-28 days.

Ceftiofur and its metabolites are mainly excreted from the animal's body with urine. 

Dosage:

At ther start of dry-cow period, cows should be diagnosed for hidden mastitis. If inflammation is detected, it should be treated, and only after recovery the drug may be used.

The drug is administered intracisternally once in all quarters of the udder at the end of the lactation period before transfer to the dry period, but not later than 30 days before the expected calving, at a dose of 9 g (one syringe) per one quarter of the udder.

Before using the drug, milk is fully milked from all quarters of the udder, teats are treated with an antiseptic agent approved for this purpose (cleansing napkin), then a syringe cannula is inserted into the teat canal and the contents are carefully squeezed out. Use one syringe per one quarter of the udder. After that the cannula is removed, the teat tip is pressed with fingers and the teat is lightly massaged from bottom to top for better distribution of the drug.

Precautions and adverse reactions:

Side effects and complications are generally not observed. If symptoms of an allergic reaction occur, the drug should be cancelled and antihistamines, calcium should be prescribed.

Do not use the drug in animals with hypersensitivity to the drug components, including cephalosporins and other β-lactam antibiotics.

No overdose symptoms when using the drug have been observed.

Other drugs may be used in the treatment period except the drugs for intracisternal administration.

Do not use the drug in animals during lactation period and within 30 days before calving. In case of accidental administration during this period, milk may be used for food purposes not earlier than 30 days after the last drug administration. Milk obtained before expiry of the above period from healthy quarters of udder may be used after boiling for feeding calves. Milk from mastitis-affected quarters shall be decontaminated by boiling and disposed of.

Withdrawal period:

Animals must not be slaughtered for human consumption before 16 days after the last drug administration. Meat of animals forcibly slaughtered before the specified period expires may be used for feeding carnivores.

Storage conditions:

Store in a dry, dark place at a temperature between 15 °C to 25 °C.

The drug should be kept out of the reach of children.

Shelf-life:

Shelf-life of the veterinary drug under appropriate storage conditions is 2 years from the date of manufacture.