45 Spotton Cattle Insecticide Consult a veterinarian for advice on which drugs to use and how to use them Drug Residues Drugs or chemicals that are given to a calf may leave residues in meat. Residues of sulfas, antibiotics, and other drugs in meat are a public health concern. Very small amounts of some drugs can induce allergic reactions when consumed by a person who is hypersensitive to that drug. Prolonged exposure to antibiotics or sulfas can encourage bacterial resistance and may decrease drug effectiveness when treatment is essential. Consumers want a wholesome food supply, free of drugs and chemicals.
Consumers lose confidence in a food product if it is found to be contaminated by drugs or chemicals.
Pills or boluses containing various combinations of sulfas and antibiotics are used both to prevent and treat calf scours. These boluses are the main source of violations in calves. At slaughter, a calf recently treated with a scour bolus will have a greenish or other discoloration of the stomach. This alerts the inspector to the possibility of drug residues. When tissues of these calves are tested, they are usually found to contain excessive levels of sulfas.