FDA approves combination use of BMD and ChlorMax to fight ileitis

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the combination use of Alpharma Inc.'s (Fort Lee, NJ) BMD and ChlorMax (chlortetracycline) in feed rations to control porcine proliferative enteropathy, or ileitis. According to the National Animal Health Monitoring System, up to 77 million pigs may be affected by ileitis in the US, resulting in economic losses of more than $1 billion annually. This approval will give pork producers a new cost-effective way to fight ileitis and knock out respiratory or enteric diseases at the same time.

The approval is viewed as a major victory for pork producers as the combination has demonstrated that it controls ileitis and treats respiratory and other enteric disease, according to Randy Maclin, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Alpharma's Animal Health Division. "Unlike other programs which are cleared for ileitis control, producers no longer must choose which disease should be controlled. They now have the ability to control ileitis and treat respiratory disease with a single convenient program. BMD plus ChlorMax is an integral component of a strategic intervention program targeted at controlling ileitis with the added benefit of controlling respiratory disease."

This combination of growth and therapy is a hallmark of Alpharma's Growtherapy program, which consists of continuously feeding BMD at 30 g/ton for faster growth and increased feed efficiency. When threats of respiratory or enteric disease occur, ChlorMax should be added at 10 mg per pound of bodyweight for two weeks. Following treatment, BMD should continue to be fed at 30 g/ton through the remaining stages of growth. Producers have the ability to strategically pulse ChlorMax with BMD as needed without withdrawals.

For more information: Randy Maclin, VP, Alpharma Inc. Animal Health Division, One Executive Dr., Fort Lee, NJ 07024. Tel: 201-947-7774. Fax: 201-947-0912.

Edited by Angelo DePalma