Risk factors for new intramammary infections during the dry period in untreated dairy cows from herds using selective dry cow therapy

The aim of this study was to define the time-related period of intramammary infections and its relation to risk factors for intramammary infections and clinical mastitis at cow and quarter levels. In total, 269 German Holstein Frisian dairy cows on three farms in Northern and Eastern Germany were included in this study. Quarter milk samples were collected at dry-off, 3 ± 1 days after calving and 17 ± 3 days after calving, for cytomicrobiological examination. Risk factors at quarter- and cow-level associated with intramammary infections and clinical mastitis were recorded during the trial period. Data were analyzed using logistic regression procedures and odds ratios were calculated. Calving for the second time increased the odds of clinical mastitis during the first 100 days of lactation compared to cows calving for the third time or more. A high milk yield after calving was a risk factor for new infections, with environmental pathogens 17 ± 3 days postpartum. A body condition score after calving less than 3.5 was associated with a decreased risk of having an intra-mammary infection (IMI) with non-aureus staphylococci and coryneforms 3 ± 1 days postpartum and consistent body condition between dry-off and early lactation decreased the risk of intramammary infections after calving. The absence of a ring of hyperkeratosis at the teat apex shown at dry-off was associated with a lower risk of intramammary infections with environmental pathogens 17 ± 3 days postpartum. This study shows the important influence of the dry period and early lactation on intramammary infections and clinical mastitis postpartum in dairy cows. Udder quarters may have eliminated pathogens during the dry period in 43.6% of cases in this study. Additionally, new infections occurred during early lactation, so 5.1% more quarters were infected 17 ± 3 days compared to 3 ± 1 days postpartum. New infections can be traced to non-aureus staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus from dry-off up until 3 ± 1 days postpartum, and to non-aureus staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus uberis, after calving. In total, 88.7% of the infected quarters showed new infections with another pathogen species 3 ± 1 days postpartum than at dry-off, and 89.2% of the quarters 17 ± 3 days postpartum than 3 ± 1 days postpartum. In conclusion, the early lactation has just as important an influence on intramammary infections postpartum in dairy cows as the dry period. There is the possibility that udder quarters eliminate pathogens during the early lactation, especially during the dry period. However, there is also the danger that new infections manifest, with a large proportion of new infections occurring after calving. Thus, additional control strategies are of great importance to prevent new infections occurring during early lactation as well as during the dry period to reduce negative effects on milk yield and culling hazards in dairy cows by minimizing the associated risk factors.

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Managing dry cow udder health

Improving dairy herd health Improving - Burleigh Dodds Series in Agricultural Science ◽

10.19103/as.2020.0086.10 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 231-264

Author(s):

Päivi J. Rajala-Schultz ◽

◽

Tariq Halasa ◽

Keyword(s):

Antibiotic Resistance ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Dry Period ◽

Intramammary Infections ◽

Udder Health ◽

Dry Cow Therapy ◽

Risk Period ◽

The Impact ◽

Cow Comfort ◽

Crucial Part

The dry period lays a foundation for a successful next lactation, especially from the udder health perspective. It is a high-risk period for acquiring new intramammary infections (IMI), but it also provides an excellent opportunity for eliminating existing subclinical infections. The way cows are dried off and milking is halted at the end of lactation impacts the involution process, mammary health and cow comfort. Antibiotic dry cow therapy (DCT) has played a crucial part in mastitis control, but due to global concerns about increasing antibiotic resistance, the approach to DCT is evolving. This chapter reviews the current knowledge about the impact of milk cessation methods (abrupt vs. gradual dry-off) on mammary involution, udder health and cow comfort. The importance of dry cow therapy is discussed, especially in the light of current global concerns related to antibiotic resistance.

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Comparative efficacy of antimicrobial treatments in dairy cows at dry-off to prevent new intramammary infections during the dry period or clinical mastitis during early lactation: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Animal Health Research Reviews ◽

10.1017/s1466252319000239 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (2) ◽

pp. 199-216 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

C. B. Winder ◽

J. M. Sargeant ◽

D. Hu ◽

C. Wang ◽

D. F. Kelton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Clinical Mastitis ◽

Comparative Efficacy ◽

Dry Period ◽

Quality Of Reporting ◽

Intramammary Infections ◽

Antimicrobial Treatments

AbstractA systematic review and network meta-analysis were conducted to assess the relative efficacy of antimicrobial therapy given to dairy cows at dry-off. Eligible studies were controlled trials assessing the use of antimicrobials compared to no treatment or an alternative treatment, and assessed one or more of the following outcomes: incidence of intramammary infection (IMI) at calving, incidence of IMI during the first 30 days in milk (DIM), or incidence of clinical mastitis during the first 30 DIM. Databases and conference proceedings were searched for relevant articles. The potential for bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 algorithm. From 3480 initially identified records, 45 trials had data extracted for one or more outcomes. Network meta-analysis was conducted for IMI at calving. The use of cephalosporins, cloxacillin, or penicillin with aminoglycoside significantly reduced the risk of new IMI at calving compared to non-treated controls (cephalosporins, RR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.23–0.65; cloxacillin, RR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.38–0.79; penicillin with aminoglycoside, RR = 0.42, 95% CI 0.26–0.72). Synthesis revealed challenges with a comparability of outcomes, replication of interventions, definitions of outcomes, and quality of reporting. The use of reporting guidelines, replication among interventions, and standardization of outcome definitions would increase the utility of primary research in this area.

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Intramammary infection rate during the dry period in cows that received blanket dry cow therapy : efficacy of 6 different dry-cow intra-mammary antimicrobial products

Journal of the South African Veterinary Association ◽

10.4102/jsava.v80i1.164 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 80 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

I-M. Petzer ◽

D.C. Lourens ◽

T.J. Van der Schans ◽

J.C. Watermeyer ◽

R. Van Reenen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Herd ◽

Holistic Approach ◽

Cure Rate ◽

Dry Period ◽

Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽

Intramammary Infections ◽

Dry Cow Therapy ◽

Treatment And Prevention ◽

Significant Difference

The objectives of this study were to compare the efficacy of 6 different dry-cow intramammary antimicrobial products for the treatment and prevention of mastitis during the dry period in a well-managed high producing Friesland dairy herd, and the influence of treatment on the somatic cell count (SCC) of cows during early lactation. One of 6 dry-cow intramammary antimicrobial products was randomly allocated to 162 cows due for drying off over a period of 14 months. All cows were sampled twice prior to drying off, and twice after calving for the determination of SCC and presence of microorganisms. The quarter prevalence of pathogens at drying off and post-calving, the overall quarter cure rate and the rate of new intramammary infections occurring during the dry period were determined. The overall quarter prevalence of intramammary infections (IMIs) at drying off was 29.78 % and after calving 22.22 %.There was a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) between the prevalence of major and minor pathogens at drying off (7.87 % and 21.91 %) and at calving (4.47 % and 17.75 %). The most prevalent pathogens isolated at drying off (21.14 %) and at calving (16.98 %) were coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). The quarter cure rate during the dry period was 83.94 %. The cure rate for the major pathogens (98%) was significantly better (P < 0.05) than that for minor pathogens (78.9 %).The overall quarter cure rate varied from 72.3 % to 93.9 % for the various products. The rate of new quarter infections during the dry period was 17.44 % with a significant difference (P<0.05), between the prevalence of new quarter infections with major (4.32 %) and minor pathogens (13.12 %). CNS was the most prevalent pathogen causing new quarter infections (12.34 %) and the rate o f new quarter infections varied from 13.4 % to 24.1 % for the various products.It is concluded that there is a difference in efficacy between antimicrobial intramammary dry-cow products in their ability to cure and prevent new IMIs during the dry period. Dry-cow products are mainly formulated for efficacy against Gram-positive cocci, while providing no or little protection against Gram-negative bacteria. Therapeutic levels may persist for only 14 to 28 days into the dry period and fail to protect the udder during the last trimester. Dry-cow therapy should, however, always form part of a holistic approach to the dry period which also considers cow factors, dry-cow management, microorganisms and the environment of the dry cow.

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Manageable risk factors associated with the lactational incidence, elimination, and prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus intramammary infections in dairy cows

Journal of Dairy Science ◽

10.3168/jds.2011-4711 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 95 (3) ◽

pp. 1283-1300 ◽

Cited By ~ 49

Author(s):

S. Dufour ◽

I.R. Dohoo ◽

H.W. Barkema ◽

L. DesCôteaux ◽

T.J. DeVries ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Intramammary Infections ◽

Factors Associated

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Risk factors associated with subclinical mastitis in dairy cows on Swiss organic and conventional production system farms

Veterinární Medicína ◽

10.17221/2060-vetmed ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 52 (No. 11) ◽

pp. 487-495 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

M.G. Doherr ◽

M. Roesch ◽

W. Schaeren ◽

M. Schallibaum ◽

J.W. Blum

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Production Systems ◽

Clinical Symptoms ◽

Subclinical Mastitis ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Dry Period ◽

Dry Cow Therapy ◽

California Mastitis Test ◽

Milk Urea ◽

Good Hygiene

Epidemiological studies comparing risk factors for subclinical mastitis (SM) in organic (OP) and conventional dairy production systems (CP) are lacking. In 60 OP and 60 CP farms, 970 cows were used to study risk factors for SM at 31 days postpartum. Cows showing a positive (≥ 1+) California Mastitis Test (CMT) in at least one quarter, but without clinical symptoms, were classified SM-positive. For OP cows increased (P < 0.05) odds ratios (OR) for SM were found for other than Simmental and Simmental × Red Holstein breeds, for increasing number (> 27) of cattle on the farm, for the use of mineral feed supplements, for irregular milking intervals (< 12 and > 12 h/day), and for milk urea concentrations of 210.1–270 mg/dl, whereas decreased OR for SM were recorded for cows kept in barns on beddings other than on rubber mats or concrete, for farms with rinsing water temperatures of milking systems between 54.75 and 60°C, for milk lactose > 50.5 g/l, and for blood albumin levels of ł 38.5 g/l. For cows on CP farms, increased (P < 0.05) OR for SM were found for other than Simmental ´ Red Holstein and Simmental breeds, for a bedding area width of > 117 cm, and for antibiotic mastitis treatment since the last dry period, whereas reduced (P < 0.05) OR for SM were found for farms with a moderate (in contrast to good) hygiene status and for routine application of antibiotics during the dry period. Observed differences between OP and CP were assumed to be partially related to system-specific management, such as antibiotic dry cow therapy, nutrition and milking routine.

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Non-antimicrobial approaches at drying-off for treating and preventing intramammary infections in dairy cows. Part 1. Meta-analyses of efficacy of using an internal teat sealant without a concomitant antimicrobial treatment

Animal Health Research Reviews ◽

10.1017/s1466252319000070 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 86-97 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Simon Dufour ◽

Vincent Wellemans ◽

Jean-Philippe Roy ◽

Pierre Lacasse ◽

Alfredo Ordonez-Iturriaga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Antimicrobial Treatment ◽

Dry Period ◽

Intramammary Infections ◽

Current Review ◽

Bismuth Subnitrate ◽

Reduce Risk ◽

High Level ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Better Than

AbstractUse of antimicrobial approaches at drying-off for preventing new intramammary infections (IMI) during the dry period in dairy cows could be replaced by non-antimicrobial approaches. Such approaches would be of interest not only for organic but also for conventional dairy producers. The objective of the current review was to quantify the effect of non-antimicrobial internal teat sealant (ITS)-based approaches at drying-off for treating and preventing IMI, when compared with no treatment or with an antimicrobial-based approach. The protocol for this review was published before initiating the review. A total of 18 trials from 16 articles could be used to investigate the effect of an ITS-based approach. With the available results, we conclude with a high level of confidence that non-antimicrobial ITS-based dry-off approaches are efficient for preventing new IMI during the dry period when compared with no treatment, and would reduce risk of new IMI by 52%. Moreover, we are relatively confident that a bismuth subnitrate-based ITS performed better than an antimicrobial for preventing new IMI during the dry period (a risk reduction of 23%). Similarly, we are relatively confident that an ITS-based approach would only slightly or not at all reduce the prevalence of IMI at calving compared with untreated quarters.

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The Efficacy of Intramammary Tilmicosin at Drying-off, and other Risk Factors for the Prevention of New Intramammary Infections during the Dry Period

Journal of Dairy Science ◽

10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(02)74413-5 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 85 (12) ◽

pp. 3250-3259 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

R.T. Dingwell ◽

T.F. Duffield ◽

K.E. Leslie ◽

G.P. Keefe ◽

L. DesCoteaux ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Dry Period ◽

Intramammary Infections

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Efficacy of Panax ginseng extract combined with cephalexin as a dry cow therapy

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029921000017 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-5

Author(s):

Camila Beccaria ◽

Celina Baravalle ◽

Paula Silvestrini ◽

María S. Renna ◽

Ana I. Molineri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Staphylococcus Aureus ◽

Panax Ginseng ◽

Milk Production ◽

Somatic Cell Count ◽

Cure Rate ◽

Dry Period ◽

Ginseng Extract ◽

Intramammary Infections ◽

Dry Cow Therapy ◽

Cure Rates

Abstract Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of intramammary administration, at drying-off, of a Panax ginseng extract (PGe) combined with cephalexin (Ceph) on the post-calving bacteriological cure rate of pre-existing intramammary infections (IMI) and on the occurrence of new IMI during the dry period. In addition, milk yield and somatic cell count (SCC) in the post-treatment lactation were evaluated. One hundred and eight late-lactation cows were randomly divided into two experimental groups and were treated at drying-off with Ceph alone or PGe combined with Ceph.Cure rates for IMI present at drying-off were similar for both treatments (OR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.33–2.74). Cure rates for Staphylococcus aureus were lower (OR = 15.4, 95% CI = 1.66–142.52) in quarters treated with PGe + Ceph than in those treated with Ceph alone. Intramammary infusion of PGe + Ceph at drying-off had no effect on preventing new dry period IMI (OR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.38–1.51), compared with infusion of Ceph alone. Milk production and SCC in the ensuing lactation were not affected by PGe + Ceph treatment. In conclusion, addition of PGe to dry cow therapy did not show any advantage over the use of dry cow therapy alone.

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DRY COW ANTIMICROBIALS USE TO CONTROL MASTITIS IN NORTHERN ALGERIA

SPERMOVA ◽

10.18548/aspe/0009.20 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 144-158

Author(s):

Mohamed Walid Hamlaoui ◽

◽

Ahmed Hadef ◽

Fawzi Rostane Meklati ◽

Imane Bital

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Self Medication ◽

Crucial Step ◽

Intramammary Infections ◽

Udder Health ◽

Dry Cow Therapy ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Northern Algeria ◽

Risk Practices ◽

The One

The control of mastitis is a crucial step in the preparation of the next lactation in dairy cows. In order to assess the practices and attitudes surrounding the use of antimicrobials at dry-off, a survey was conducted among veterinary practitioners in fifteen provinces of Northern Algeria. The results revealed that 45.95% of the farms followed by the respondents were rather small in size comprising about ten cows per farm and that a large majority of the farmers practised gradual drying off (72.97%) without adjusting the feed ration (70.27%) to this stage. Antibiotic dry cow therapy (DCT) was a common practice and selectively performed in 86.49% of cases regardless of udder health status. Cefalexin was the most infused intra-mammary (IMM) antibiotic (40.54%), while tylosin was the one favoured for parenteral administration (48.15%). Analysis of factors influencing the antibiotic DCT efficacy showed that a frequent (13.51%) occurrence of new intramammary infections (IMIs) was related to farmers’ attitudes (self-medication) and the policy of blanket DCT. Although the use of a teat sealant was uncommon (71.43%) in the farming traditions, the substitution of antibiotics seems to be a plausible prospect, since the majority of participants (89.19%) agreed with the implementation of aromatherapy concept at dry-off, mainly as a complement to antibiotics. This survey gives an overview of risk practices regarding mastitis management in northern Algeria. Hence, further zootechnical, veterinary and organizational efforts need to be made to promote animal production and welfare as well as public health through improved udder health.

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