The Prevention and Therapy of Summer Mastitis in Europe

Abstract

There are several methods of preventing summer mastitis. Long acting antibiotics and ear-tags containing insecticides are the most effective. Administration of long acting antibiotics protects almost completely for four weeks. Ear-tags also provide a good protection for up to 3 to 4 months. Although the incidence of summer mastitis is low, cases are still seen but are almost independent of the time after applying ear-tags. Bacteriological examination of the latter cases turned up mostly bacteria which are not typical for summer mastitis. The best choice for preventing summer mastitis in dry cows are long acting antibiotics and in heifers, ear-tags. A dry cow treatment has to be repeated after 4 weeks.

Treatment of summer mastitis is usually unsuccessful in saving the udder tissue especially if there is systemic illness, a hard swollen quarter and the typical odour. Surgical removal of the teat is not advisable. It is important for prognosis, particularly in dry cows, to take a sample for bacteriological examination. Therapy is usually successful in restoring general health. In general, cows are most sick. A summer mastitis case has to be separated from the herd. After detecting a case, the remainder of the herd must be watched very closely for the next few days. When this is done new cases will be detected in about 35% of the herds, almost independent of the herd size.