This article was downloaded by: [York University Libraries] On: 05 January 2015, At: 23:37 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK

New Zealand Veterinary Journal Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tnzv20

Dry cow therapy and NDL trials A. Twomey

a

a

National Dairy Laboratory , Hamilton Published online: 23 Feb 2011.

To cite this article: A. Twomey (1979) Dry cow therapy and NDL trials, New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 27:6, 116-116, DOI: 10.1080/00480169.1979.34621 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00480169.1979.34621

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http:// www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions

116

NEW ZEALAND VETERINARY JOURNAL

CORRESPONDENCE

Downloaded by [York University Libraries] at 23:37 05 January 2015

DRY cow THE1IAI'Y AND .L TRIALS

Sir,- There has been some speculation concerning results ob­ tained by the National Dairy Laboratory in trials conducted on dry cow therapy antibiotics for mastitis control. We would like to clarify the situation, as no official publication has yet been produced on these trials, and many comments that have been made are no more than conjecture. We have conducted two separate trials in which dry cow therapy has been a big part of the experiments. In both trials, we found there was a high spontaneous cure rate of mastitis in­ fection over the dry period in the control (untreated quarters) group. This was almost equal to the cure rate in the treatment group. There are two significant points with these results: I. The herds used were all low-infection herds. It is likely that different results would have been obtained ifthe herds had been problem herds. 2. There was a long dry period in the year this trial was conducted due to the drought. It is possible that this may have increased the spontaneous cure rate. In summary, the NDL results had found that in low-infection herds, a high spontaneous cure rate occurred over the dry period, which was extended because of drought conditions. In the majority of cases, the high cure rate involved infection by secondary pathogens such as C. bovis and micrococci. This in no way casts any doubt on the role of dry cow therapy in mastitis control. It does mean that we should look closely at methods ofselecting which cows should be treated. The trials are being repeated this year on herds that have high levels of subclinical mastitis. Recommendations on dry cow therapy, as advocated by the National M ilk Quality Qdvisory Service, have not changed. Any statements to the effect that dry cow therapy is a waste of time cannot be substantiated. The prophylactic effects of dry cow antibiotics are well documented; they do work .. We are currently looking at problems of re-infection at calving. Our main research thrust on dry cow therapy is to determine how it can be used more effectively - not whether it should be used at all. A. Twomey, 5th April /979 National Dairy Laboratory, (received5th May) Hamilton.

VOL 27

Dry cow therapy and NDL trials.

This article was downloaded by: [York University Libraries] On: 05 January 2015, At: 23:37 Publisher: Taylor & Francis Informa Ltd Registered in Engla...
192KB Sizes 0 Downloads 0 Views