banamine subsitute?

[Jkroper20]

Hey guys, new to the board but been around bovine. Its great to see a wealth of information and from what i can see good people on this forum... I wanted to get y'all s opinion on subject. I usually try to buy smaller calves at the sale that weigh between 180 and 240 for my brother to tie-down rope then I feed em up and take em back to the sale when they get to weighing around 600. As you can probably guess it can be a stressing experience keeping the little guys going. When a calf gets weak and won't eat my standard procedure has always been a shot of Banamine and B12 along with the standard drenching with warm water, electrolytes, and a egg if required. Its worked really well for me in the past but recently I got talking to a buddy at the sale that I have a lot of respect who has a outstanding cow-calf operation. He raises calves for many of the rodeos around here and often runs into the same scenarios as me. After we got to talking, he swore never to give a calf Banamine more then once a day for no more then 3 days in a row, after that he just fills have the drench bag in whiskey. He says more then 3 days of Banamine in a row can cause liver failure. Hes a old school guy, a real cowpuncher, and I really like this guy so I smiled, nodded my head, and awkwardly laughed. Knowing in the past I have dosed half a ML for 100 lbs every 12 hours for with some calves aas long as a week. As soon as the start eating I take them off it but like I said I've had great successes with the common horse drug in the past.

So my question is: Have you guys used banamine? Is there another drug I can use as a substitute? Do you guys have any other strategies I can try with weak calves?

All thoughts, opinions, or any other general information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Bigfoot]

I have given aspirin many times to calves. It can bring a fever down, and make them feel like eating/drinking. I don't know if I would call it a replacement for banamine. I would call it a replacement for bute in horses. That wasn't your question though.

We calf rope, and haven't ever really had much of a problem with calves getting sick. I get them pretty settled before we rope them though.

 

[Lucky_P]

That guy may be a real cowpuncher, but he's not a pharmacologist.
Overdose &/or prolonged use of banamine can cause some GI issues, but no liver damage that I'm aware of - and a quick review of the pharmacological data gave no indications of potential hepatotoxicity.

Banamine is a good drug - when used appropriately and in appropriate circumstances. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (similar to ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, etc.), with some anti-endotoxin activity. Has better effect for GI pain(colic) in horses than bute, but is less effective for musculoskeletal pain/discomfort, overall, than is bute.

Effective half-life of banamine in cattle is around 9 hrs. Approved route of administration for cattle... IV only.
I'll admit, up front, that I, too, have given it IM; yes,it will work that way - but it does cause some muscle damage/irritation if given IM - and if you go IM with one dose... the approved slaughter withdrawal period goes from 4 days (for the approved IV route) to over 30 days... and if you give more than one dose... that withdrawal period becomes even longer.

But, on this board and others like it, I see too many folks who have it in their hands,and who use/misuse it like it's as harmless as water. I see too many folks giving it at the drop of a hat for conditions/instances that don't really call for it, giving inappropriate dosages or by inappropriate route. It ain't sugar water.

I'm not certain that the banamine is indicated - or even playing a role - in your treatment protocol for those roping calves. Aspirin is approved as an anti-pyretic (fever reducer) in cattle, and may give some degree of pain relief, if that's a concern.

 

[Koffi Babone]

Thanks Lucky_P....

I didn't know how to word it diplomatically and I was kinda in a hurry this morning...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flunixin

http://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/ ... rview.aspx

 

[Anonymous]

Try drenching with Diaque. The calf will have more energy the next day already. It has citrus pulp in it which fills the pin holes in the intestines that ecoli and sammonella cause. It has a sodium bi carb and pottasium to bring the ph closer to 7. And glucose which is simple sugar for energy. give every 12 hours for 24 to 48 hours. That alone should work. I have heard from many others that are having real good success with it. Try it on one to see the difference you will be amazed.

 

[Anonymous]

Try drenching with Diaque. The calf will have more energy the next day already. It has citrus pulp in it which fills the pin holes in the intestines that ecoli and sammonella cause. It has a sodium bi carb and pottasium to bring the ph closer to 7. And glucose which is simple sugar for energy. give every 12 hours for 24 to 48 hours. That alone should work. I have heard from many others that are having real good success with it. Try it on one to see the difference you will be amazed.

Can be added to milk or milk replacer to if they are drinking and you catch it early.