Activist Post – by Heather Callaghan
Zilmax is a Merck drug that is given to cattle to “beef” them up; it debuted in the US in 2007. It is now suspected for causing cattle’s hooves to fall off – or as the spin goes: “limited mobility.”
It wasn’t just 17 cows dropping hooves. It’s been an ongoing problem.
This is the only known video news report on the topic with a great rundown. After two minutes, it becomes more of an opinion piece.
The Resident’s report in the video above was not kidding about Zilmax’s claims. They call it a supplement and say it will help the environment, strategically mixing the words “nutrition” and “nutritionist” in with the review.
But suspicions arose last summer when complaints, referencing Zilmax, of animals arriving at feed lots unable to walk surfaced at a National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) meeting. When Tyson dropped it, other producers followed and Merck voluntarily suspended sales – for now.
Keith Belk, a professor of animal science at Colorado State University, had said the animals’ feet were “basically coming apart.” Merck denies any connection to Zilmax and fully stands by its safety.
From Reuters:
Scientists say they have yet to determine whether Zilmax causes ailments so severe that cattle must be euthanized. One theory is that the federally approved feed additive may compound the effects of common feedlot nutritional disorders such as acidosis, which can affect animals that consume too much starch (primarily grain) or sugar in a short period of time. Heat and animal genetics, too, may be factors.
A review of FDA documents shows that approximately 285 cattle that were confirmed dead had to be euthanized since 2007 after ingesting Zilmax. Over a third of those were taking other drugs like antibiotics, in conjunction. But again, no connection – totally safe. (According to Merck and the FDA.) Those were only the reports submitted to the FDA by Merck and others.
A FOIA requested by Reuters showed that over 75 animals lost hooves and were euthanized after being fed Zilmax in the last two years. Pneumonia was a large factor in 94 deaths. Bloat, gas build-up in cow stomachs, was listed as a cause of death in 41 cases where cattle were fed Zilmax.
Cargill is not using Zilmax-fed beef until further testing, but still stands behind Merck after finally allowing its use for their beef in 2012.
Merck fully intends to bring Zilmax back to the US market. In 2012, Zilmax brought Merck nearly $160 million in sales, while Merck totaled $47 billion revenue that year.
More Info – sources cited by video report and this article:
Reuters Report
Zilmax Claims
Cargill’s announcement
Also See:
Cargill’s New Announcement Reveals Much More About Pink Slime
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Heather Callaghan is a natural health blogger and food freedom activist. You can see her work at NaturalBlaze.com and ActivistPost.com. Like at Facebook.
http://www.activistpost.com/2014/01/cattle-and-drugs-something-is-making.html
Thanks Sunfire. this is one more reason why i try to stay away from commercially grown meat.
This is totally disgusting and cruel. The ones who are unable to defend
themselves are always the ones who are abused. Merck CEO’S need
to feed this frankenstein drug to their families and themselves.
They’re useless eaters anyway.
This is bad enough, but – I do not want to gross ya`ll out – with all those steroid and hormones they give them cows check out the puss content in a gallon of milk – or whatever container ya got. It is really enough to make ya sick, and I am not just talking a few spoonfulls, I am talkin` a lot more. Not only that but I used to work on the kill floor at a slaughter house and I saw how they treat those animals and it is despicable – not to mention useing sides of beef like a surf board, yea, a surf board on the floor they did and they thought it was funny, yea, right in front of the USDA inspectors!!!!. It is sickening. Yea, IMOHO people are the sickest, dirties , foulest animal on the face of the earth. 😡 😯 😎
Zilmax is the Merck drug that makes cows hoof’s fall off. After eating that cow you should see what else falls off. Ouch.