Md. Code Regs. 15.01.15.03

Current through Register Vol. 52, No. 1, January 10, 2025

Section 15.01.15.03 - When Permitted

A. Except as provided in this regulation, a person may administer a medically important antimicrobial drug to cattle, swine, or poultry if, in the professional judgment of a licensed veterinarian, the medically important antimicrobial drug is necessary:

(1) To treat a disease or infection;

(2) To control the spread of a disease or infection; or

(3) For a surgery or medical procedure.

B. A person may administer a medically important antimicrobial drug to cattle, swine, or poultry if, in the professional judgment of a licensed veterinarian, the medically important antimicrobial drug is necessary for prophylaxis to address an elevated risk of contraction of a particular disease or infection.

C. Unless administration of a medically important antimicrobial drug is consistent with §A of this regulation, a person may not administer a medically important antimicrobial drug in a regular pattern to cattle, swine, or poultry.

D. A person may not administer a medically important antimicrobial drug to cattle, swine, or poultry solely for the purpose of

(1) Promoting weight gain; or

(2) Improving feed efficiency.

E. Dry Cow Treatment.

(1) General Rule Requiring Assessment. The routine administration of a medically important antimicrobial drug to dairy cattle entering a dry cycle is prohibited except when necessary based on an assessment of the presence of an intramammary infection (mastitis).

(2) Methods of Assessing Mastitis in an Individual Cow.

(a) Tests. A person may assess the presence of mastitis in an individual cow through one or more of the following tests:

(i) A positive bacterial culture test;

(ii) A positive California Mastitis Test;

(iii) A somatic cell count for an individual cow greater than 200,000 cells per milliliter in the most recent lactation; and

(iv) Any other assessment method approved by the Secretary generally recognized by the American Association of Bovine Practitioners.

(b) Signs of Mastitis. A person may assess the presence of mastitis in an individual cow using one or more of the following indicators:

(i) Visibly abnormal milk including the presence of clots, blood, or discoloration; or

(ii) Heat, pain, tenderness, or swelling of a gland.

(c) A licensed veterinarian may assess the presence of mastitis in an individual cow through the observation of clinical signs of mastitis.

Md. Code Regs. 15.01.15.03

Regulation .03 adopted effective 46:2 Md. R. 53, eff. 1/28/2019; amended effective 48:1 Md. R. 10, eff. 1/14/2021