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Effectiveness of intramammary antibiotic therapy based on somatic cell count
E H Seymour1, G M Jones, M L McGilliard
1Department of Dairy Science, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061.
Journal of Dairy Science
|April 1, 1989
Summary
Intramammary antibiotic therapy for dairy cows with elevated somatic cell counts (SCC) did not significantly impact milk production or infection status. However, targeted treatment cured 70% of infected quarters, improving upon the 50% cure rate in control cows.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Science
- Dairy Herd Health
Background:
- Elevated somatic cell counts (SCC) in dairy cows indicate intramammary infection and can impact milk quality and production.
- Current treatment protocols vary, with some focusing on clinical signs and others on subclinical indicators like SCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of intramammary antibiotic therapy targeting quarters with elevated SCC in a dairy herd.
- To determine the effect of this targeted therapy on milk production, subsequent DHIA SCC, and infection status.
Main Methods:
- A 10-month study involving the Virginia Tech dairy herd.
- Cows with SCC scores ≥5 were randomly assigned to experimental (targeted intramammary cephapirin) or control (treatment upon clinical symptoms) groups.
- Milk samples were cultured for mastitis pathogens and SCC was determined for quarter analysis.
Main Results:
- Intramammary antibiotic therapy in quarters with elevated SCC had no significant effect on overall milk production, cow SCC, or infection status.
- The experimental group achieved a 70% cure rate for infected quarters, compared to 50% in the control group.
- Treatment was administered regardless of clinical symptoms in the experimental group, while controls received antibiotics only when clinical signs were present.
Conclusions:
- Targeted intramammary antibiotic therapy for elevated SCC quarters shows a higher cure rate for mastitis infections.
- The study suggests that treating subclinical infections identified by SCC may improve infection elimination, though overall herd production and status were not significantly altered in the short term.