The Effect of Aureomycin on Digestion in Steers

Abstract

The effect of feeding crystalline aureomycin hydrochloride on digestion and nitrogen retention was determined in balance trials with six steers. Feeding 0.2 g aureomycin daily caused a marked reduction in the digestibility of crude fiber. It also reduced the digestibility of dry matter and of nitrogen free extract. When 0.6 g of aureomycin was fed daily to steers, it produced a marked anorexia and a fetid diarrhea within 48 to 72 hours. This condition persisted for several days after the aureomycin feeding was discontinued. Continued feeding of 0.2 g aureomycin daily, produced somewhat milder digestive disturbances.