Prudent use of antibiotics in bovine mastitis: The Swedish approach

The use of antibiotics in Swedish food-producing animals, such as dairy cows, is low compared with other countries in the European Union. Moreover, Sweden has relatively stable and low levels of antibiotic resistance in bacteria isolated from animals. Among dairy cows, mastitis is the most common disease treated with antibiotics. The aim of the present paper was to describe the Swedish approach to prudent use of antibiotics in bovine mastitis with focus on the development of national policies and guidelines for such use. Some information on Swedish dairy cow statistics, general use of antibiotics in dairy cows, as well as bacterial findings and antibiotic resistance in IMI is also given. According to Swedish legislation, policies and guidelines for veterinarians, the use of antibiotics in bovine mastitis must be restrictive and selective. Based on prevalence and antibiotic resistance of intramammary infectious agents, benzylpenicillin is the drug of choice. Moreover, antibiotic treatment is only recommended for acute cases of clinical mastitis caused by penicillin-sensitive bacteria. To further reduce the use of antibiotics and improve udder health in dairy herds, measures to prevent new IMI, such as good external and internal biosecurity, are essential. Prevention is always better than cure as healthy cows have no need for antibiotics.