[Oxytetracycline and oral herd treatment: a literature review]

Pharmacotherapeutic, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic aspects of oral mass medication with oxytetracycline (OTC) in pigs, calves and poultry are discussed in this review. Clinical studies with successful therapeutic results are scarce in literature; however, OTC is still frequently used for mass medication. Some practical advice to improve the bioavailability of OTC is given. This mainly concerns the reduction of the interaction between calcium ions and OTC. OTC may be useful for oral mass medication when applied as a prophylactic drug. Pharmacological studies are required in order to provide more knowledge about the efficacy of OTC-mass medication. Additional information can be acquired from the field by improving and extending the reciprocal co-operation between field veterinarians and diagnostic laboratories. This may lead to a more justified choice from the various possibilities of antimicrobial use in livestock.