Antibiotic treatment or combined antibiotic and vaccination therapy of cows suffering from active Leptospira-infection have been shown to eliminate infection or alleviate clinical signs during an outbreak (Dhaliwal et al., 1996; Kingscote and Proulx, 1986; Gerritsen et al., 1994). Streptomycin and dihdro-streptomycin have been the antibiotics of choice for the treatment, but their use in production animals has come under criticism recently. Amoxycillin has shown some promise in treatment, however (Smith et al., 1997).
A veterinarian should be contacted to decide on the need to treat individual animal during an outbreak. Simultaneously a decision on the commencement of a vaccination strategy on the farm should be taken.
| For most recent information on different sector body requirements on withdrawal periods for livestock products following medicinal use please see Withdrawal of Products following medication. |