  An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding post-weaned
piglets different levels of a commercial amoxicillin plus norfloxacin formula
(Respirend) on the performance, clinical evidence of sickness, and the
cost:benefit ratio. 454 PIC x Camborough female and castrated male, weaned at
21 d of age, with an average initial weight of 6.19 kg, were used in this
experiment. Treatment 1 consisted in feeding a basal diet supplemented with
1000 g of a commercial tilmicosin product (Pulmotil) per metric tonne of feed
(control group, from 21 to 35 d of age) and Treatments 2), 3) and 4) consisted
in feeding the basal diet supplement with 500, 300 y 100 g of Respirend per
metric tonne of feed, respectively, from 21 to 42 d of age. The results did not
show significant differences (P<0.05) in mortality nor in parenteral medicine
administration cost in none of the periods. Nevertheless, 500 g of Respirend
per metric tonne of feed improved significantly (P<0.05) the general health
status in the period between 21 and 35 d of age. For the whole evaluation
period (21 to 42 d of age), this level improved significantly (P<0.05) the
final body weight, the average daily weight gain, the average daily feed
intake, the feed:gain ratio and optimized the cost:benefit ratio.
