There are many drugs used in clinical practice for the prevention and treatment of bacterial diarrhea in livestock, including amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, neomycin sulfate, Apramycin sulfate, furazolidone, gentamicin, oxytetracycline, and quinitol, among others. Among these, quinolone drugs like enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin are very bitter and have poor palatability, so they are typically made into injection forms or prepared using coating techniques to make them into powders, though this increases their cost. Drugs like amoxicillin, gentamicin, and oxytetracycline are prone to causing resistance and are not widely used currently. Furazolidone has relatively high toxicity and can impact growth, leading pig farmers to gradually abandon its use. Although quinitol can be used to treat bacterial diarrhea, it cannot be used in pigs weighing over 35 kg, so products containing it are rare in the market. Neomycin sulfate and Apramycin sulfate are both aminoglycoside antibiotics, but neomycin sulfate is more likely to cause resistance. Based on initial comparisons, Apramycin sulfate is an excellent drug for the prevention and treatment of bacterial diarrhea.

Apramycin sulfate is a yellow or yellow-brown powder that is hygroscopic and easily soluble in water. Below, I will analyze it from four aspects.

1. Pharmacological Action

The mechanism of action of Apramycin sulfate is to interfere with the synthesis of riboproteins in prokaryotic organisms, thereby inhibiting harmful bacteria in the animal's body. Apramycin sulfate is an aminocyclitol antibiotic, which exhibits strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria and some Gram-positive bacteria commonly infecting livestock and poultry. It is especially effective against pathogenic bacteria like Escherichia coli and Salmonella that are resistant to other antibiotics, and it is less likely to induce resistance.

2. Effectiveness

1. Specific Effectiveness: Apramycin sulfate has strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative bacteria and some Gram-positive bacteria that commonly infect livestock and poultry, making it effective in preventing and treating diarrhea, dysentery, and growth disorders caused by bacterial infections in pigs, cattle, and chickens. Its therapeutic effect is significant and specific.

2. High Effectiveness: Some bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella that are resistant to drugs like gentamicin, kanamycin, and amikacin are still susceptible to Apramycin sulfate, and no resistance is observed.

3. Long-lasting Effectiveness: After oral administration, Apramycin sulfate is slowly absorbed and has a retention time of about three days in the intestines, which helps prolong its antibacterial effects and improve bactericidal efficacy.

3. Usage Method

1. It can be administered through injection or orally, depending on the dosage form used.

2. When treating viral diarrhea, it should be combined with antiviral drugs.

4. Precautions

1. This product is highly hygroscopic and should be stored in a sealed container in a cool, dry place, with attention to moisture control.

2. The product is prone to degradation when it comes into contact with rust, so water dispensers should be rust-free.

3. It should not be used during the egg-laying period in laying hens.

4. For drinking water administration, it is recommended to prepare the solution fresh for each use.

5. Application Technology

Based on the pharmacological characteristics of Apramycin sulfate, the correct and scientific use of this drug in veterinary clinical practice should follow the following guidelines:

1. Since Apramycin sulfate is most effective against Gram-negative bacteria, it is recommended for use primarily in the treatment of enteric infections caused by E. coli, Salmonella, Proteus, and other bacteria. It can be combined with drugs like amoxicillin, ampicillin, florfenicol, tylosin tartrate, tiamulin, doxycycline, and other drugs that are well absorbed to treat systemic infections related to the corresponding diseases, which improves the overall therapeutic effect.

2. Apramycin sulfate is a bactericidal agent that works during the stationary phase of bacterial growth, so it is better to use it during the later stages of the disease or after noon each day. This is because most of the bacteria in the body during this period are in the stationary phase of reproduction. During the early stages of the disease or when administering drugs in the morning, it is best to combine Apramycin sulfate with other drugs that act during different phases of bacterial activity to ensure efficacy.

3. Based on the bacterial resistance mechanisms, depending on the clinical drug resistance patterns in different regions and livestock populations, it may be beneficial to combine Apramycin sulfate with enhancers such as clavulanic acid, sulbactam, or tazobactam, which can inhibit bacterial resistance mechanisms, to improve the sensitivity of Apramycin sulfate and ensure better treatment outcomes.

4. Given the potential risks of overdosing with Apramycin sulfate injections, it is recommended to use the drug primarily through oral administration. In cases of severe illness where the livestock is not eating or drinking, and injections are necessary, it is crucial to strictly follow the recommended dosage in the "Veterinary Drug Use Guide" to ensure safety. It is also advisable to consider alternatives or safer aminoglycoside antibiotics for injection use when possible.