Label and extra label drug use in small ruminants.

The small ruminant practitioner has a small arsenal of approved drugs in the United States, so the practitioner must be familiar with the laws and regulations related to extra label use. Drugs can be used extra label in food animals only under specific circumstances and can be used only for therapeutic purposes. Drugs that are illegal in small ruminants include chloramphenicol; clenbuterol; diethylstilbestrol; dimetridazole, ipranidazole, and other nitroimidazoles such as metronidazole; dipyrone; fluoroquinolones; glycopeptides; nitrofurans; furazolidone; and extra label use of medication in feed. It is also illegal to use any drug that results in residues above established tolerances or safe levels.