Infrared thermography or rectal temperature as qualification for targeted metaphylaxis in newly received beef steers and the effects on growth performance, complete blood count, and serum haptoglobin during a 42-day feedlot receiving period*

Objective: The objective was to evaluate rectal tem- perature and infrared thermography as qualification for targeted metaphylaxis, and effects on clinical health, growth performance, complete blood count, and serum haptoglobin in newly received beef steers during a 42-d feedlot receiving period. Materials and Methods: Crossbred beef steers (n = 240; arrival BW = 258 ± 22.5 kg) were used. Experimental treatments were arranged as a generalized complete block design: sterile saline (NCON); conventional metaphylaxis administered to all steers (CONV); targeted metaphylaxis administered to steers with rectal temperature ≥39.7°C (RECT); or targeted metaphylaxis administered to steers with ocular infrared temperature ≥39.7°C (EYE). Body weight and blood samples for quantification of complete blood count and serum haptoglobin were collected on d 0, 14, and 42 relative to metaphylaxis. Results and Discussion: Metaphylaxis was adminis- tered to 0% of NCON, 100% of CONV, 48.9% of RECT, and 48.6% of EYE steers (P < 0.01). Therapeutic bovine respiratory disease (BRD) treatment rate did not differ (P = 0.16), although overall BRD treatment rate was minimal. Metaphylaxis was 62.5% of total active antimicrobial compound administered to RECT and 32.1% of total ac- tive antimicrobial compound administered to EYE. Both methods of targeted metaphylaxis decreased percentage of animals administered antimicrobials relative to CONV (P < 0.01), but total milligrams of active drug compound administered was not different (P = 0.65). Body weight, DMI, DMI as percentage of BW, and G:F did not differ at any time point (P ≥ 0.07). A tendency (P = 0.06) was observed for ADG from d 0 to 14, where CONV was greatest, RECT and EYE were intermediate, and NCON was least. Day 0 to 42 ADG was greatest in CONV and RECT, least in NCON, and intermediate in EYE (P < 0.01). Platelet count tended (P = 0.10) to be greatest in NCON and RECT, followed by EYE and CONV. No further hematologic treatment differences were observed (P ≥ 0.22). Implications and Applications: Overall BRD morbidity was unexpectedly low in the present study. Both methods of targeted metaphylaxis decreased the propor- tion of animals administered antimicrobials relative to conventional metaphylaxis; however, total milligrams of active drug compound administered was not different. The ADG of steers administered targeted metaphylaxis based on rectal temperature did not differ from those ad- ministered conventional metaphylaxis. Use of targeted metaphylaxis with measures of body temperature may decrease the proportion of animals administered metaphylaxis while maintaining optimal health and growth perfor- mance outcomes.