Comparison of Systemic and Intramammary Dry Cow Treatments

Abstract

The non-lactating (dry) period is an important time for udder health in that infections can be either acquired or cleared. Intramammary dry cow therapy with antibiotics is routinely used. The inclusion of systemic antibiotics with intramammary therapy in a previous study gave better cures during the dry period. The use of tylosin administered in the dry period has been previously proposed because it is able to penetrate udder tissue. The objective of this study was to compare the use of tylosin in the dry period alone, or in combination with intramammary antibiotics, as compared to the use of intramammary treatment alone.