Nonantibiotic Approach in Control of Bovine Mastitis During Dry Period

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Abstract
Twenty cows were used to determine the effectiveness of a nonantibiotic method for control of intramammary infection during the dry period. Right mammary quarters of cows were infused with colchicine and/or endotoxin at 1 day prior to or at the end of lactation. Left quarters were uninfused controls within the group. Samples (1105) of foremilk were obtained aseptically from quarters for bacteriological analysis. Quarters were sampled during the last week of lactation, early nonlactating period, prepartum, at parturition and 1 and 2 wk postpartum. Primary pathogens isolated were esculin-positive steptococci, coagulase-positive staphylococci and coliform bacteria. Isolation of primary pathogens was reduced 50% in right infused quarters during the 1st wk of involution as compared to left uninfused quarters. Of 80 quarters, 13 were infected at the end of lactation (6 right and 7 left), and 20 of 80 quarters (9 right and 11 left) were infected at calving. Of the 20 infections at calving, 16 were new during the dry period. Treatment reduced infection during early involution but failed to prevent new infection during the remainder of the dry period.