Depletion of Dexamethasone in Cattle: Food Safety Study in Dairy and Beef Cattle

The proposed project will evaluate the depletion of dexamethasone in cattle in order to determine a withdrawal time in edible foodstuff that may be used by CgFARAD™ (Canadian Global Food Animal Residue Avoidance Databank) and veterinarians and their producer clients to greatly mitigate risks of violative drug residues at processing. 1. conduct a dexamethasone drug depletion study in lactating dairy cattle to determine a milk withdrawal time. 2. conduct a dexamethasone drug depletion study in beef cattle to determine a withdrawal time in edible tissues ie. muscle, liver, kidney and fat. The proposed project will provide critical drug depletion data for dexamethasone in cattle that will assist CgFARAD™ and veterinarians and their producer clients with ensuring human food safety while meeting animal welfare needs with the therapeutic use of dexamethasone.