*Rx* Federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.

Indicated for the treatment of subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle at the time of dry off associated with Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Streptococcus uberis.

For Intramammary Infusion in Dry Dairy Cattle Only

FOR USE IN ANIMALS ONLY - NOT FOR HUMAN USE

DESCRIPTION

Ceftiofur hydrochloride is a cephalosporin antibiotic.

Chemical Structure of Ceftiofur Hydrochloride

 U-64279A

Chemical Name of Ceftiofur Hydrochloride

5-Thia-1-azabicyclo[4.2.0]oct-2-ene-2-carboxylic acid, 7 - [[2-(2-amino-4-thiazolyl) - 2 -(methoxyimino)acetyl]amino]-3-[[(2-furanylcarbonyl) thio] methyl]-8-oxo, hydrochloride.

Ceftiofur Hydrochloride Sterile Suspension is an oil based sterile suspension.

Each 10 mL PLASTET^® Disposable Syringe Contains:

INDICATIONS FOR USE

SPECTRAMAST^® DC Ceftiofur Hydrochloride Sterile Suspension is indicated for the treatment of subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle at the time of dry off associated with Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Streptococcus uberis. SPECTRAMAST^® DC Ceftiofur Hydrochloride Sterile Suspension has been proven effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Streptococcus uberis.

DOSAGE

Infuse one (1) syringe into each affected quarter at the time of dry off.

DIRECTIONS FOR USING THE PLASTET^® DISPOSABLE SYRINGE

The syringe is designed to provide the choice of either insertion of the full cannula as has traditionally been practiced, or insertion of no more than 1/8 inch of the cannula, as reported by Eberhart, R.J., et. al. 1987. Current Concepts of Bovine Mastitis, 3rd Edition, National Mastitis Council, Arlington, VA.

a. Full insertion: Remove the red end cap by pulling straight up as shown. Gently insert the full cannula into the teat canal; carefully infuse the product.

b. Partial insertion: Remove the red end cap by pulling straight up as shown. Gently insert the exposed white tip into the teat canal; carefully infuse the product.

ADMINISTRATION

Treatment: Wash teats thoroughly with warm water containing a suitable dairy antiseptic. Dry teats thoroughly. Milk out udder completely. Using an alcohol pad provided, wipe off the end of the affected teat using a separate pad for each teat. Choose the desired insertion length (full or partial) and insert tip into teat canal; push plunger to dispense entire contents, massage the quarter to distribute the suspension into the milk cistern.

Reinfection: After successful treatment, reinfection may occur unless good herd management, sanitation, and mechanical safety measures are practiced. Affected cows should be watched carefully to detect recurrence of infection and possible spread to other animals.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

As with all drugs, the use of SPECTRAMAST^® DC Sterile Suspension is contraindicated in animals previously found to be hypersensitive to the drug.

Discard Empty Container: DO NOT REUSE

KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN

WARNINGS

Penicillins and cephalosporins can cause allergic reactions in sensitized individuals. Topical exposures to such antimicrobials, including ceftiofur, may elicit mild to severe allergic reactions in some individuals. Repeated or prolonged exposure may lead to sensitization. Avoid direct contact of the product with the skin, eyes, mouth and clothing. Sensitization of the skin may be avoided by wearing latex gloves.

Persons with a known hypersensitivity to penicillin or cephalosporins should avoid exposure to this product.

In case of accidental eye exposure, flush with water for 15 minutes. In case of accidental skin exposure, wash with soap and water. Remove contaminated clothing. If allergic reaction occurs (e.g., skin rash, hives, difficult breathing), seek medical attention.

RESIDUE WARNINGS

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY

Ceftiofur is a broad-spectrum cephalosporin antibiotic that exerts its effect by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis. Like other β-lactam antimicrobial agents, the cephalosporins inhibit cell wall synthesis by interfering with the enzymes essential for peptidoglycan synthesis. This effect results in lysis of the bacterial cell and accounts for the bactericidal nature of these agents. Ceftiofur has demonstrated in vitro activity against clinical isolates and isolates from diagnostic laboratories. The results of susceptibility testing of these isolates against ceftiofur are presented in Tables 1 and 2. Appropriate reference strains were also susceptibility tested and their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values and zone of inhibition with a 30 µg disk are presented in Table 4.

Table 1. Ceftiofur MIC values for isolates from a multi-site clinical field study evaluating subclinical mastitis in dry dairy cows in the U.S. during 2000

* The MIC for 90% of the isolates.

Table 2. Ceftiofur MIC values* for mastitis pathogens from diagnostic laboratories in the U.S. and Canada

* The above in vitro data are available, but their clinical significance is unknown.

** The MIC for 90% of the isolates.

† No range, all isolates yielded the same value.

Based on pharmacokinetic, milk residue and clinical effectiveness studies in dairy cattle following intramammary infusion of ceftiofur and the MIC and disk (30 µg) diffusion data from mastitis pathogens, the following breakpoints are recommended by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards [now the Clinical and Laboratories Standards Institute (CLSI)] (Table 3).

Table 3. Current recommended interpretive criteria established by CLSI for ceftiofur for Bovine Mastitis

S - Susceptible

I - Intermediate

R - Resistant

Standardized procedures require the use of laboratory control organisms for both standardized diffusion techniques and standardized dilution techniques. The 30 µg ceftiofur sodium disk should give the following zone diameters and the ceftiofur sodium standard reference powder (or disk) should provide the following MIC values for the reference strain. The ceftiofur sodium disks or standard reference powder is appropriate for ceftiofur hydrochloride (Table 4).

Table 4. Acceptable quality control ranges for ceftiofur against CLSI recommended American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) reference strains

*All testing performed using a 30 µg disk.

EFFECTIVENESS

The effectiveness of a single intramammary (IMM) infusion of ceftiofur hydrochloride for the treatment of subclinical mastitis present at the time of dry off was demonstrated in a randomized block design study. Nineteen veterinary investigators enrolled cows in 21 herds and from these 21 herds, 431 cows and 1708 quarters met enrollment criteria in the study and calved within a 45 to 60 day period following enrollment. The enrollment criteria were whole udder somatic cell counts greater than 400,000 cells/mL or a linear somatic cell count score greater than or equal to 5. Milk microbiologic samples were obtained prior to treatment and at Days 3 and 5 post-calving. There were 5 treatment groups including a negative control group. There were 43 cows in the negative control group and 51 cows in the 500 mg ceftiofur group that had a positive pre-treatment milk culture that were evaluated for treatment success. The primary decision variable was the microbiologic (therapeutic) cure in which bacteria isolated pre-treatment were absent from both post-treatment samples.

In another study in eleven study herds, 446 cows with a somatic cell count (SCC) greater than or equal to 400,000 cells/mL or a linear score greater than or equal to 5 were enrolled. Cows with a dry period of at least 45 days were blocked by lactation (1^st + 2^nd or ≥3^rd). A single quarter milk sample was aseptically obtained from all four quarters for bacterial culture prior to treatment and on Days 3 and 5 post-calving. There were 4 treatment groups including a negative control. There were 84 cows in the negative control and 73 in the 500 mg ceftiofur group that had a positive pre-treatment milk culture that were evaluated for treatment success. The primary decision variable was the microbiologic (therapeutic) cure in which bacteria isolated pre-treatment were absent from both post-treatment samples.

Ceftiofur was found to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Streptococcus uberis, when compared to negative controls. This intramammary ceftiofur formulation was well tolerated. No adverse formulation related events were noted during the entire study. A large multi-location field dose confirmation study and a pilot study demonstrated that 500 mg of ceftiofur infused once per quarter at the time of dry off was effective for the treatment of subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle at the time of dry off.

ANIMAL SAFETY

An udder irritation study was conducted in 22 healthy lactating dairy cows to assess udder irritation following a single intramammary infusion of a sterile oil-based suspension containing 500 mg of ceftiofur into all four quarters followed by milk-out 12 hours later. Throughout the 10 day post-treatment observation period there was a clinically insignificant rise in SCC to mean levels <200,000 cells/mL from the pre-infusion level of <69,000 cells/mL. No clinical signs of udder irritation (swelling, pain, or redness), changes in rectal temperature, or changes in milk production were noted in this study. Clinical observations were made during a GLP residue depletion study of 36 cows following a single intramammary infusion of a sterile oil based suspension containing 500 mg of ceftiofur into all four quarters at the end of lactation. No report of udder irritation or adverse reaction was noted in the daily visual observations over the 14 days immediately following treatment. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that the intramammary infusion of an oil-based sterile suspension containing 500 mg of ceftiofur once into all four quarters at the end of lactation is clinically safe and non-irritating to the udder of non-lactating dairy cows.

MILK AND TISSUE RESIDUE DEPLETION

A metabolism study in cattle using radiolabeled ceftiofur provided the data to establish tolerances for ceftiofur-related residues (as desfuroylceftiofur) in tissue and milk. These tolerances of ceftiofur residues are 0.1 ppm in milk, 0.4 ppm in kidney, 2.0 ppm in liver, and 1.0 ppm in muscle.

Pivotal residue decline studies were conducted to assess the depletion of ceftiofur-related residues, measured as desfuroylceftiofur using the official analytical method, in tissues of treated cows, in milk from treated cows, and in tissues of calves born to treated cows. In these studies, non-mastitic cows received 500 mg of ceftiofur per quarter into all four quarters once at dry off. The milk residue depletion study demonstrated that milk produced at calving may be used for human consumption with no discard period when the treatment to calving interval is 30 days or more. The tissue depletion study measured residues in the tissues of treated cows and in the tissues of neonatal calves born to treated cows. In neonatal calves born to treated cows, tissue residues were less than the codified tolerances for kidney, liver and muscle. These data support a zero day pre-slaughter withdrawal for calves born to treated cows when the treatment to calving interval is 30 days or more, regardless of colostrum consumption. The tissue residue depletion data support a 16-day pre-slaughter withdrawal period following intramammary infusion for treated cows.

STORAGE CONDITIONS

Store at controlled room temperature 20° to 25° C (68° to 77° F). Protect from light. Store plastets in carton until used.

HOW SUPPLIED

SPECTRAMAST^® DC Sterile Suspension is available in cartons containing 1 unbroken package of 12-10 mL PLASTET^® Disposable Syringes with 12 individually wrapped 70% isopropyl alcohol pads and in pails containing 12 unbroken packages of 12-10 mL PLASTET Disposable Syringes with 144 individually wrapped 70% isopropyl alcohol pads.