Dihydrostreptomycin is used to treat systemic bacterial infections in cattle, horses, pigs, and sheep.
INDICATIONS
- Leptospirosis: This is a key indication, especially for eliminating the carrier state in cattle and pigs.
- Gastrointestinal tract infections: Including enteritis and diarrhea caused by Salmonella spp. or Campylobacter spp..
- Respiratory tract infections: Such as pneumonia and atrophic rhinitis.
- Urinary tract and urogenital infections: Including cystitis, vaginitis, and metritis.
- Arthritis and joint/navel ill: Caused by susceptible organisms.
- Mastitis: Often administered via intramammary infusion in combination with penicillin, or systemically.
- Wound infections and septicemia.
- Swine erysipelas (Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae).
- Control of secondary bacterial infections in diseases of primary viral origin.
ADMINISTRATION
- Route: The injection must be given deep into a large muscle mass (intramuscularly). Common sites include the hind leg muscles or muscles in the neck/shoulder area, depending on the species and local practice.
- Preparation: The vial must be shaken thoroughly before use to ensure a homogeneous suspension.
- Aseptic Technique: The injection site area should be cleaned and swabbed with spirit (alcohol) before injection.
- Injection Procedure:
- Insert the needle into the muscle.
- Aspirate: Pull back slightly on the plunger to check for blood. If blood enters the syringe, it indicates the needle is in a blood vessel, and the injection site must be changed to avoid injecting the medication intravenously.
- If no blood is present, slowly and steadily depress the plunger to inject the medication.
- After injection, remove the needle and gently rub the area to help disperse the medication and distract the animal.
- Site Rotation: To minimize tissue damage and reaction, especially when large volumes are administered, alternate the injection site (e.g., left side and right side) for subsequent doses.
- Maximum Volume per Site: There are specific maximum volumes recommended per injection site for different animals to prevent tissue irritation. For example, the maximum volume recommended at one site is typically no more than 6 ml for cattle, 3 ml for sheep, and 1.5 ml for pigs.
- Dosage and Duration: Treatment is generally given once daily for up to three consecutive days, with the exact dosage based on the animal’s body weight.