Fast action enrofloxacin associated with support treatment with oral electrolyte and energy replacement in the treatment of neonatal bronchopneumonia in Holstein calves

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate therapeutic strategies for treatment of bronchopulmonary infections using fast-acting enrofloxacin and its association with support and endovenous fluid or support and oral energy and electrolytic solution, by measuring clinical, hematological, biochemical and development parameters of bovine neonates. Thirty-five Holstein calves, monitored from birth to six weeks of age, were randomly divided into five groups: control group; antibiotic group; antibiotic group + support + intravenous fluid therapy; antibiotic group + support + oral solution; and support group. The performance parameters were evaluated from birth to the 6th week of age and hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated 0, 24, 72 and 120 hours after diagnosis of bronchopneumonia. Calves of the antibiotic group + support + oral solution group presented lower levels of eosinophils and higher levels of segmented neutrophils compared to the other groups. There was no difference in performance parameters evaluated. In this study, the treatment with antibiotic and oral solution offered the animals had a better contribution to treat bronchopneumonia, favoring the organism to develop an effective immune response to that infection.