>> There is also an opinion that the grease (extender) patties played a role
in
>> resistance by keeping the bacteria exposed to terramycin for an extended
>> period.

> ... there is absolutely no evidence to back it up...
> ... goes to show how much of what we 'know' is not true.

This is a bit harsh.  In addition to prolonged exposure to the antibiotic,
there are a number of additional GOOD reasons that extender patties are
rumored to lend themselves to possible resistance to Oxytet, including
improper dosage (either in improper portions of oxytet/sugar/grease,
improper size of patty placed in hives, and incomplete consumption of the
patty that may or may not be properly mixed).  Extender patties simply do
not comply to "usage guidelines" for antibiotics in general.  Any antibiotic
instructions I have ever read state consume the entire prescription
regardless of symptoms.  The few times I tried extended patties there were
more than a few hives that simply did not consume the entire patty, and I
have no idea what was the dosage they received.  I have never had such
problems with dusting.  When properly mixed, the bees get the prescribed
dose and the spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down.

This is not to say that there is a cause and effect between extender patties
and TM resistant bacteria, I am not making such a claim.  But there are lots
of good reasons to avoid them.  Balancing the reasons to avoid them against
labor costs of 1 versus 3 bee yard visits is a magnitude of operation issue,
the consequences of which must be borne by all operations, regardless of
size.

Aaron Morris - I think, therefore I bee!