Guide to using these tables
In the withdrawal period tables, where a product is indicated for use in a species, then the withdrawal period is given. Where a dash (-) is used it means that there is no withdrawal period for use in this species. It may still be possible to use this product (in the species against which the dash is placed) under the 'cascade'. When using the prescribing cascade in a food producing animal, the veterinary surgeon responsible may use the cascade as long as;
1.the pharmacologically active substance contained in the medicine is listed in Table 1 of Commission Regulation 37/2010
2.the vet must specify an appropriate withdrawal period.
If a veterinary surgeon prescribes use of a product in a species for which it is not indicated, then the veterinary surgeon must set an appropriate withdrawal period.
The withdrawal period set by the veterinary surgeon should not be less than:
The information in these tables is the best information from the participating companies about their products.
Prescribers of medicines to food producing animals are advised to access further information on the indications and contra indications for product use under the cascade in the 'notes' column, in the product data sheet or SPC or by contacting the Marketing Authorisation Holder.
The marketing authorisation holder must always be the absolute reference point for any information on a specific product. More information on the use of the cascade in food producing animals can be accessed in the VMD's Veterinary Medicines Guidance Note 13: .
Specific Considerations for Milk
In general, milk should be excluded from the bulk sold if a cow is in poor health, especially if suffering from udder or reproductive tract disease, is being fed or treated with any substance known to make the milk unsuitable for human consumption, or has a very low yield (less than 2 litres per day).
Where available, milk withdrawal periods for sheep and goats are stated under ‘‘Notes’’ in the right-hand column of the table.
Where intramammaries are used outside the data sheet recommendations, e.g.
•the number of tubes is increased, or
•the treatment period is increased, or
•the interdose interval is shortened, or
•the treatment is changed to another product,
•or there is simultaneous administration of other antimicrobials by this or other routes
then the veterinary surgeon should set a withdrawal period not less than the standard 7 days for milk or 28 days for meat.
Dry Cow Preparations: milk withdrawal
Some dry cow treatments are given two withdrawal periods in the table
•the first, appearing in the ‘‘cattle milk’’ column, is the withdrawal in hours following a dry period which is at least as long as the Minimum Dry Period (MDP). If there are brackets around the figure, e.g. (36 hours), this indicates that it is less than for most contractual agreements.
•the second figure appearing in the ‘‘cattle milk’’ column is the MDP, that is, the minimum period between infusion of the product into the dry udder and the calving date.
If the cow calves before the expected date the total withdrawal period must therefore be extended to include the remaining part of the expected MDP plus the milk withdrawal from the time of the last treatment.
Where dry cow treatments are administered outside the data sheet recommendations, the absence of antimicrobials should be confirmed by carrying out appropriate testing before the milk is used for human consumption.