A52-75-2007E.pdf - AgroMedia International Inc

Health48Effects of prepartum intramammary antibiotic therapy on udderhealth, milk production, and reproductive performance in dairyheifersCorresponding AuthorFox, L.K.Washington State UniversityCollaboratorsBorm, A.A.Washington State UniversityLeslie, K.E.University of GuelphHogan, J.S.The Ohio State UniversityAndrew, S.M.University of ConnecticutMoyes, K.M.University of ConnecticutOliver, S.P.University of TennesseeSchukken, Y.H.Cornell UniversityHancock, D.D.Washington State UniversityGaskins, C.T.Washington State UniversityOwens, W.E.Louisiana State UniversityNorman, C.Louisiana State UniversityJournal of Dairy Science (2006) Vol. 89 p. 2090-2098.It is common practice to treat dairy cows with intramammary antibioticsafter each lactation has ended. The objective of this ‘dry cow treatment’ isto eliminate bacteria from the mammary gland in order to minimize therisk of infectious mastitis in the next lactation. In contrast, although mastitisinfections are common in heifers at first calving, prepartum intramammaryantibiotic treatment is not commonly used to reduce mastitis risk in theseanimals. This study examined the possibility that this practice might eliminateexisting intramammary infections, raise milk production, lower earlylactation somatic cell scores (SCS) and improve reproductive performance.Mammary secretions were collected at 10 to 21 days before calving fromeach quarter of 561 heifers in 9 herds with wide geographic distribution inthe US and Canada.Health 89