Univet to unveil breakthrough antibiotic treatments for sows

MANILA, Philippines - One of the country’s leading poultry and livestock feeds suppliers has come out with an anti-pneumonia treatment that can be administered to pigs for a shorter period but with better efficacy, thus minimizing stress.

The new product, named Sustalin LA – 20 percent of the Univet Nutrition & Animal Healthcare Co., is a broad-spectrum antibiotic primarily indicated for use in mycoplasmal and bacterial pneumonia.

“It (Sustalin) can also be given for post-farrow management and scouring. Just administer Sus-talin LA at one ml per 10 kg bodyweight intramuscularly. If disease persists, repeat treatment after three days,” said Univet general manager Ricardo Alba.

“The short duration of treatment and the ease of administration are important since there are antibiotics that require several consecutive injections, which can be very stressful to both the pigs and the raiser,” Alba explained.

Another effective Univet antibiotic is the MaMMAvet, which is specifically indicated for bacterial infections, particularly the so-called MMA (mastitis-metritis-agalactia) Syndrome that usually afflicts mother pigs 12 to 48 hours after giving birth.

Mastitis is the inflammation of the breast or udder; metritis is the inflammation of the uterus; while agalactia is the inability of the sows to produce milk. The MMA Syndrome is best treated with MaMMAvet, a combination of two synergistic antibiotics (penicillin and streptomycin).

“MaMMAvet effectively addresses the MMA Syndrome, compared with the other leading pen-strep combination brands. Moreover, MaMMAvet is in suspension form so there’s no need for mixing. It is easier to use and has a longer shelf-life which makes it more practical to use. It is also more economical since its effective dose is only half of that of the leading brand,” Alba pointed out.

Rapid intervention using MaMMAvet is urgently important since the MMA Syndrome can affect the future performance of sows and cause poor growth of suckling piglets, and even death.

Oxytocin injection is the most common management practice in backyard farms, but giving too much of the hormone is also dangerous to the sows.

“To arrest the effect of MMA, or better yet prevent the infection, inject MaMMAvet immediately after farrowing,” Alba stressed.

MaMMAvet and Sustalin LA are among the latest products that Univet will exhibit at the forthcoming Agrilink, Foodlink and Aqualink, which comprise the county’s biggest and most prestigious annual international trade show on agribusiness, food and aquaculture.

Alba recently signed up with Foundation for Resource Linkage and Development (FRLD) president Antonio V. Roces for Univet’s participation in the triple events slated at World Trade Center Metro Manila on Oct. 8 to 10.

Supported by ABS-CBN as media partner, Agrilink, Foodlink and Aqualink 2009 will be this year’s largest assembly of the world’s latest technologies, products, services and systems on agribusiness.

More information can be obtained from the FRLD (tel. 8384549, 8384852, fax 8384573 or e-mail [email protected]). 

The triple events are supported by the Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural and Fishery Council, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and 20 other major Philippine trade associations.

With the theme “Sustainable Food Production: Focus on the Filipino Market,” Agrilink, Foodlink and Aqualink 2009 will include international exhibits, technology seminars, product demonstrations, marketing presentations, live plant and animal display, wholesale and retail, and many other business activities.