By Jessica Domel
Multimedia Reporter
There’s a new product on the market to help cattlemen and women control pain in their livestock, and it’s the first-ever to be approved for use in food animals.
Banamine Transdermal by Merck Animal Health is now approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat pain associated with foot rot in cattle and fever reduction associated with bovine respiratory disease.
“It’s the same molecule, Banamine, but the Banamine we have previously had was a product that was labeled to be given via IV or in the vein,” Dr. Angela Baysinger, animal welfare lead for Merck Animal Health, said in an interview with the Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) Radio Network. “As many producers know, it can be difficult to restrain the animal and give that product, as labeled, in the vein. The Banamine Transdermal, which is Merck’s new product, is given down the midline of the back from the withers to the tail head as a pour-on.”
According to Dr. Bob Judd, host of Texas Vet News on the TFB Radio Network, meloxicam has also been used for pain control, but it was used off-label.
“The advantage is that the product (Banamine Transdermal) is available as a pour-on, which eliminates the need for an intravenous injection, and that is easier on the cattle and the ranch workers. It saves time. Dr. Scott Nordstrom with Merck indicates the product is absorbed into the blood stream in minutes and has a long duration of activity at the site of the inflammation,” Judd said. “Studies showed the majority of cattle had at least a two-degree drop in temperature within six hours of treatment, which gets them eating and drinking sooner.”
According to Merck, the ability to pour the product on also eliminates the likelihood of injection site lesions, which means it is Beef Quality Assurance friendly.
“The bottle itself is a pre-calibrated package that you basically squeeze the amount that is marked on the bottle to the weight of the animal and apply it down the back,” Baysinger said.
The product currently is approved only for use in beef and dairy cattle. Cattle may not be slaughtered for human consumption within eight days of the last treatment.
It’s not designed for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows.
“I know producers for cattle, hogs or poultry and even in aquaculture are always looking for the ability to show we are doing the best we can for animals. Merck looks for those innovations to help producers be the best they can be. This is just one step to help cattle producers be able to meet what they expect,” Baysinger said.
The product is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) like Tylenol.
Because the product is a pour-on, Merck Animal Health encourages producers to wear long-sleeves, eye protection and chemical resistant gloves when applying Banamine Transdermal.
Additional information, as well as product label directions, are available here.