Iowa Public Television

Challenge Question Number 1 for Veterinarian #1163

Clearly describe what you expect from the students:
A group of calves weighing 450 pounds is sick with respiratory disease. Based on previous experience with calves at this farm, it is determined that Tilmicosin (brand name Micotil) is the drug of choice. Micotil comes in the strength of 300 mg/cc and is used at the rate of 10 mg/Kg of body weight. One kilogram (Kg) equals 2.2 pounds (#). How many cubic centimeters (cc's) of Micotil should I administer to each sick calf?

Besides antibiotic, calves often need other treatment for appetite loss and dehydration to help them recover from sickness. What factors should be considered to help determine what these calves need?

In order to give the teacher some guidance in evaluating the student's project(s); list some tips that may help to assess the student's work:
Help for teacher:

History must be taken, such as where calves originated.

How long have they been on the farm?

What is previous vaccination and/or treatment status?

Has this farm had previous history of similar illness?

Then a thorough physical exam must be done to determine temperatures, hydration status and lung sounds, which may not be possible on each calf when many are involved. The practitioner must be able to assess the situation as a whole, then adapt treatment on each calf as necessary.

Answer: The correct dose is:

450 pounds divided by 2.2 pounds per kg = 204.5 kg x 10 mg per kg = 2045 mg / 300 mg per cc = 6.8 cc of Micotil

Most pistol grip syringes administer full cc's: 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5. Doctor would decide whether to administer 6 or 8 cc's by pistol grip syringe or use a more accurate disposable syringe to administer 7 cc's.