F01 - The Effect of Flunixin Meglumine on Viral Shedding in Calves

Abstract:

Background- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) are a common treatment for pyrexia in cattle with bovine respiratory disease (BRD). NSAIDs have known immunomodulatory effects in cattle with BRD. Minimal research has evaluated the effects that FDA approved NSAIDs have on viral shedding in clinical BRD cattle.

Hypothesis/Objectives- The hypothesis of the study was that flunixin meglumine would increase the magnitude and duration of viral shedding in calves inoculated with bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1). The secondary objective was to investigate the shedding characteristics of BHV-1.

Animals- Twelve Holstein cross-bred steer calves, approximately 6 to 8 weeks of age, equally randomized into a treatment (FM) group or control (CON) group. 

Methods - All calves were inoculated intranasally with approximately 4-mLs of 1x10^5 TCID50 of BHV-1. Nasal swabs for BHV-1 PCR testing were collected every 24 hours for a minimum of 7 samples post-initial positive. Calves in the FM group were treated with 2.2-mg/kg of flunixin meglumine intravenously after the first BHV-1 PCR positive sample. PCR sampling for a calf ceased after 2 consecutive negative PCR samples.

Results- Shedding of BHV-1 ranged from 1 to 17 days for animals in both FM and CON groups. There was no statistical difference in magnitude or duration of BHV-1 shedding between groups.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance - Within the study, intranasal inoculation with BHV-1 resulted in a wide range of shedding magnitude and duration. Flunixin meglumine administration in BHV-1 challenged calves did not result in an increase in magnitude or duration of viral shedding as analyzed.