Comparison of a new aminoglycoside (G-418) and gentamicin for the treatment of swine dysentery in swine naturally infected with Salmonella choleraesuis.

The addition of the aminoglycosidic antibiotic, G-418, to drinking water at the concentration of 37.5 mg/L for 3 days was effective in treatment of experimentally induced swine dysentery in swine. With this concentration, there was a recession of diarrhea during or immediately after withdrawal of medication. However, the diarrhea recurred approximately 2 weeks after medication was stopped. With the concentration of 12.5 mg of G-418/L given to swine for 3 days, the diarrhea did not recede during or after medication. With the concentration of 12.5 mg of gentamicin/L given to swine for 3 days, the diarrhea receded in some swine during and after medication, but more swine died in the medicated exposed groups than died in the nonmedicated exposed groups. Both drugs appeared to be effective against the concurrent spontaneous infection of Salmonella choleraesuis in the swine used in the study.