Promoting prudent use of antimicrobials on moderate-sized dairies

use of pathogen-based protocols for the treatment of nonsevere clinical mastitis in 8 New York herds

Abstract

Selective treatment strategies for clinical mastitis (CM) promote targeted treatment of cases that will benefit from antibiotics, such as quarters infected with gram-positive organisms. A published trial by our group evaluated outcomes for the use of 24 h turnaround of culture results 7 d/wk to guide treatment decisions. In that study, cultures were performed at a certified diagnostic laboratory allowing for accuracy ofresults and confirmation of contagious and more obscure organisms. However, many dairies may not have access to a reference laboratory with a 24 h turnaround. The purpose was to determine if a selective treatment protocol for non-severe CM could be effectively implemented on the moderate-sized dairies of NY (500 to 1000 cows) that might not have daily access to a professional diagnostic laboratory.