Effects of antibiotic treatment on the occurrance of experimentally induced proliferative ileitis of hamsters.

The effects of three antibiotics on hamsters inoculated with a ground suspension of proliferative ilea were evaluated. All antibiotics were administered in the drinking water. Tetracycline hydrochloride (400 mg/liter drinking water) was most effective in reducing the number of hamsters which developed proliferative ileitis. Dimetridazole (500 mg/liter drinking water) was less effective than tetracycline. Neomycin (125 mg/liter drinking water or 10 mg/hamster) had no effect when compared to untreated inoculated control hamsters.