Supply constraints have been a common issue for producers and veterinarians the past few years. That’s why Elanco’s Zelnate DNA Immunostimulant has been unavailable since mid-2022.
Now, Elanco says the novel technology, used to address bovine respiratory disease (BRD) in calves, is back on the market and readily available, according to Ronald Tessman, DVM, Ph.D., DACVIM, DACVPM and Elanco Beef Technical Consultant.
Zelnate – a first-of-its-kind product approved by the USDA – aids in the treatment of BRD due to Mannheimia haemolytica when administered at the time of, or within 24 hours after, a perceived stressful event in cattle 4 months of age and older.
The product contains a unique DNA liposome complex that works by stimulating the innate immune system in calves.
“We see a consistent decrease in overall mortality and BRD-specific mortality in those calves treated with Zelnate,” Tessman says. “And, very importantly, we see a decrease in lung consolidation.”
Tessman adds that veterinarians and producers find Zelnate particularly efficacious in high-risk calves or those that are at a higher risk for mortality.
“In either of those scenarios, I’m going to recommend this product be used in conjunction with an antibiotic either as a metaphylaxitic or treatment therapy to try and reduce that risk,” he says.
Another good fit for the product is with what Tessman calls respiratory observe cattle. “These are animals that have been pulled for evaluation but they don’t have a temperature or qualify for antibiotic therapy. Zelnate can be an effective tool for use in that scenario,” he says. “We’re able to provide that animal with some therapy, some relief, and minimize antibiotic use as well.”
Because the product contains no antibiotics or preservatives, it can be used in natural programs.
“It provides a positive clinical effect without producers being required to pull those animals out of their program and lose the financial opportunities in that value chain,” Tessman says.
For administration, Zelnate can be used via an intramuscular injection or intranasally.
Reference
More information on the research used to develop Zelnate is available here:
https://bovine-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/bovine/article/view/2884
https://bovine-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/bovine/article/view/378
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