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Zoetis Pirsue (Pirlimycin)

By Zoetis

Last reviewed: December 2025

Pirsue offers targeted gram-positive mastitis treatment with pirlimycin, featuring excellent tissue penetration and a short milk withdrawal period.

Overview

Pirsue (pirlimycin hydrochloride) is a lincosamide antibiotic approved for treating clinical and subclinical mastitis caused by susceptible gram-positive organisms in lactating dairy cows.

Spectrum of Activity

Pirlimycin is highly effective against:

  • Streptococcus species
  • Staphylococcus aureus (including some resistant strains)
  • Other gram-positive mastitis pathogens
  • Pharmacological Advantages

    Excellent Penetration

    Pirlimycin achieves high concentrations in mammary tissue, including areas with chronic infections.

    Lipophilic Properties

    Fat-soluble nature enables penetration into biofilms and abscess walls.

    Dosage Regimen

    Extended Treatment Protocol

  • One 50 mL tube per infected quarter per day
  • Treatment for up to 8 consecutive days
  • Allows for extended therapy of stubborn infections
  • Withdrawal Periods

  • Milk: 36 hours following last treatment
  • Meat: 9 days following last treatment
  • Clinical Applications

    Subclinical Mastitis

    Often used for treating high-SCC cows during lactation to reduce infection prevalence.

    Chronic Staph aureus

    Extended protocol may improve cure rates for difficult chronic infections.

    Blitz Therapy Programs

    Some farms use Pirsue in coordinated treatment of all infected cows to reduce infection reservoir.

    Treatment Records

    Maintain complete treatment records including:

  • Cow identification
  • Quarter(s) treated
  • Treatment dates
  • Withdrawal status
  • Response Monitoring

    Evaluate treatment success through:

  • Clinical resolution
  • SCC reduction
  • Culture-negative status
  • Key Features

    • Gram-Positive Focus: Targets Strep and Staph species
    • Lincosamide Class: Different mode of action than beta-lactams
    • Good Tissue Penetration: Effective distribution in mammary gland
    • Ready-to-Use: Convenient syringe format
    • Subclinical Efficacy: Effective for elevated SCC cows

    Advanced Features

    • Extended Therapy: Can be used for multi-day treatment
    • Blitz Therapy: Option for herd-level interventions

    Ideal For

    Farm Types: Dairy farms, All housing types

    Competitive Advantages

    What sets Pirsue (Pirlimycin) apart from alternatives:

    • Excellent gram-positive activity
    • Good for subclinical cases
    • Well-studied efficacy
    • Different antibiotic class for rotation

    Pricing Information

    Here is the pricing information for Pirsue (Pirlimycin):

    Intramammary antibiotic for lactating cow mastitis treatment.

    Pricing Model: Per-tube mastitis treatment

    Pirsue (pirlimycin) by Zoetis. Prescription required. Effective against Gram-positive mastitis pathogens.

    Pros & Considerations

    Advantages:
    • Effective against Staph aureus and Strep species
    • FDA approved for mastitis treatment
    • Specific spectrum reduces broad resistance concerns
    • Established treatment protocols
    • Targeted therapy for gram-positive infections
    Considerations:
    • Prescription product
    • Limited spectrum - not for gram-negatives
    • Milk and meat withdrawal required
    • Works best with culture confirmation

    Implementation & Setup

    How to implement Pirsue (Pirlimycin) on your dairy operation:

    Implementation Timeline: Used as needed for clinical cases

    Training & Support

    Training and support options available for Pirsue (Pirlimycin):

    Support Channels:

      Evaluation Questions

      Key questions to consider when evaluating Pirsue (Pirlimycin):

      1. What gram-positive pathogens are common?
      2. Do you use culture-based treatment?
      3. What is your subclinical mastitis rate?
      4. Are you rotating antibiotic classes?

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      About Zoetis

      Learn more about Zoetis and their complete product lineup on their company profile page.

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