Mastitis Therapy and Pharmacology of Drugs in the Bovine Mammary Gland

Abstract

Mastitis remains a major concern of the dairy industry, despite frequent use of therapy and application of mastitis control programs. Prevention and control are the most productive approaches to mastitis. However, therapy is important for clinical mastitis and is a component of mastitis control. Approximately 20-80% of cows are affected by clinical mastitis annually (Dohoo, 1987, Wilesmith et al., 1986). The annual US market for intramammary infusion products is approximately $30 million (Gingerich, 1987). Mastitis therapy should be efficacious, cost-effective, and antibiotic residues in meat and milk should be avoided. The purpose of this paper is to discuss mastitis therapy and the pharmacology of drugs in the bovine mammary gland.
Specific areas considered include:
1. Current status of mastitis.
2. The pharmacology of drugs in the mammary gland.
3. Therapeutic failures.
4. Current developments in mastitis therapy.