Shared-class antibiotics are a valuable tool for veterinarians practicing in the beef industry today. Learn about Elanco’s commitment to the responsible use of these tools to ensure continued access.

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Elanco efforts highlight commitment to antibiotic stewardship

Elanco invests in research to understand impact of liver abscesses on beef industry.
Consumer expectations and the Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) rule from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continue to provide veterinarians the opportunity to help producers manage feedyard productivity and profitability while maintaining a high level of antibiotic stewardship.  Continued antibiotic stewardship has resonated throughout the industry and motivated Elanco to focus on research to equip veterinarians with the tools they need to help their clients navigate these market dynamics — especially when it comes to managing costly diseases such as liver abscesses.

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“Elanco is committed to increasing our overall understanding of the liver abscess disease complex. We are looking to gain a full and deep grasp of the disease state — from evaluation of causative agents and treatability of the disease, to the formation and regression processes. We want to understand all that we can to better help producers conquer liver abscesses in the feedyard,” said Casey Maxwell, Ph.D., Elanco technical consultant.

“We are also involved in evaluating a vaccine approach to controlling liver abscesses,” Maxwell added. “A preventive solution like a vaccine could be a cornerstone in the evolution of new strategies and alternatives to using shared-class antibiotics, such as Tylan®, to control liver abscesses.”

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Elanco has invested $2.5 million in liver abscess research and innovation thus far. In addition to the projects outlined above, the following are of special focus:

  • Identification of a new animal model that mimics liver abscess formation in ruminants

  • Evaluation of current liver abscess etiology

  • Further understanding of liver abscesses in calf-fed Holsteins

  • Further definition of prevalence and industry economic loss from liver abscesses

VFD implementation and compliance
Since veterinarians began preparing for VFD implementation on January 1, 2017, Elanco sales representatives and technical consultants have been working alongside veterinarians to provide resources and assistance to streamline the process for all affected.

“Ensuring a straightforward and simple transition for veterinarians and their clients was a must for us,” said Maxwell. “We became very involved with industry outreach, customer interactions and delivery of responsible use and stewardship messages to our clients. Safeguarding the responsible use of industry-beneficial, high-quality shared-class antibiotics is a responsibility that everyone in our industry should assume.” 

Clint Savoini, Elanco sales representative, noted his appreciation of the lengths veterinarians have gone to comply with the VFD implementation.

“In my experience, veterinarians have been 100% committed to the responsible use efforts of today,” said Savoini. “Everyone recognizes that this is not just a shared-class antibiotic issue, but an animal welfare issue, as well. Those involved in the beef industry are responsible for doing their part to ensure we keep these valuable antibiotic tools, such as Tylan for liver abscesses, in our toolboxes to better care for the animals that depend on us.”

Maxwell supported this by saying, “At Elanco, we are dedicated to providing premier products that help veterinarians keep money in their clients’ pockets. By protecting our product’s integrity, we defend the use of this shared-class antibiotic in an industry that truly needs a reliable solution for liver abscess disease.”

Veterinarians can also count on Elanco to provide the Liver Check Service, which benefits industry professionals by assessing liver abscess incidence, severity and economic impact in their day-to-day operations.

Savoini added, “Many veterinarians have been requesting customized liver abscess summary reports for their feedyard clients to validate issuance of VFDs. This act truly emphasizes the industry’s commitment as a whole to preserving the use of shared-class antibiotics, especially Tylan, in a long-term and sustainable way.”

Analysis of strategic Tylan usage in feedyards, as well as evaluating current management strategies to control liver abscesses, generates highly valuable information for veterinarians to further define the tools needed to protect cattle from liver abscesses in the future.

“Our goal is to continue to identify opportunities to control a disease that costs the industry an estimated $386 million each year,”1-7 said Maxwell. “If Tylan was removed today with no alternative, it is estimated that the industry would suffer a $1.4 billion total loss from liver, offal and carcass weight losses.8 The Elanco eight-point antibiotic stewardship plan is our roadmap for this journey.”

Tylan — the path forward
In 2015, Elanco released an eight-point antibiotic stewardship plan to outline global actions for the company to ensure long-term access to antibiotics for people and animals. This declaration continues to guide Elanco’s efforts in outreach, stewardship and innovation.

Grady Bishop, Global Market Access Director, speaks of the company’s commitment: “All the company’s efforts — from the One Health industry summit to aligning 75 product labels with judicious use policies to the evaluation of 50 new product concepts — affirm Elanco’s commitment to maintaining market access and bringing customers alternatives for critical disease states, including liver abscesses in beef cattle. Our team engages with governments, regulatory bodies, food companies and non-government organizations to find solutions that ensure safe, affordable food choices for today’s consumers.”

For additional information about Tylan and the responsible usage of shared-class antibiotics, please contact your Elanco technical consultant, or visit Elanco.us today.

The label contains complete use information, including cautions and warnings. Always read, understand and follow the label and use directions.

Elanco supports the use of shared class antibiotics for therapeutic uses while under the oversight of a veterinarian. More details on Elanco’s Antibiotic, Welfare and Sustainability Policies can be found on www.elanco.com/antimicrobialpolicy.

Tylan
For reduction of incidence of liver abscesses associated with Fusobacterium necrophorum and Arcanobacterium pyogenes: Feed continuously as the sole ration at 8 to 10 g/ton of tylosin (90% DM basis) to provide 60 to 90 mg/hd/d.

CAUTION: Federal law restricts medicated feed containing this veterinary feed directive (VFD) drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

1USDA ERS - Cattle & Beef: Statistics & Information

http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/animal-products/cattle-beef/statistics-information.aspx

2Elanco Animal Health. Data on file.

3Calculated from “USDA By-Product Drop Value (Steer) FOB Central U.S.” https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/nw_ls441.txt. Accessed April 27, 2016.

4USDA By-Product Drop Value (Steer) https://www.ams.usda.gov/mnreports/nw_ls441.txt

5White, D., and T.H. Montgomery.  1985.  The influence of liver abscesses upon beef carcass yields.  Special Technical Bulletin.  West Texas A&M University.

6Brown, T.R., and T.E. Lawrence.  2010. “Association of liver abnormalities with carcass grading performance and value.”  J. Anim. Sci. 88:4037-4043.

7 “Agricultural Products.” CME Group. Future price of $138 cwt as of 3/8/15.http://www.cmegroup.com/trading/agricultural/. Accessed 3/8/15.

8Elanco Animal Health. Data on file.

 

Tylan® is a trademark for Elanco’s brand of tylosin.

Elanco, Tylan and the diagonal bar are trademarks owned by or licensed to Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates.

© 2017 Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates. All rights reserved.

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