Best practice: why mastitis treatment is not successful?

Authors: Petrovski K
Publication: Proceedings of the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Annual Conferences, Volume 2014 AVA Annual Conference, Perth, Issue Cattle, May 2014
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

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Abstract: Effective mastitis control programs rely on decreasing the risk of exposure to mastitis-causing organisms (MCOs) and elimination of existing infections. Cows affected by clinical and/or subclinical mastitis are an obvious source of cross-infection to herd mates (regardless of whether the pathogens were contagious or environmental in origin). Therefore, minimising exposure of healthy cows during the shedding phase of infected cows can reduce the potential risk of new infection, and is one avenue of approaching mastitis control. Shortening or cessation of the shedding phase can be achieved by different means, including temporary or permanent removal of the infected cow/s from residence within the ‘healthy’ herd, pre-term drying off (extending the dry phase) and lactational or dry cow treatment. Mastitis treatment and its failure, with an emphasis on antimicrobial therapy, are the main focus of this paper. Pharmacokinetic properties of the product formulation used for mastitis treatment are not discussed.

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