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A New Approach to Dry Cow Mastitis Therapy.
A new product ORBESEAL TM has been released recently by Pfizer. This represents a new approach to dry cow therapy. Antibiotic dry cow therapy was initially developed in the 1940's as an aid in the control of summer mastitis (August bag). However as dry cows tubes were used a second and more important role became evident - the removal of pre - existing intramammary infections present at drying off. In the 1960's dry cow tubes were incorporated into the Five Point Plan and have formed a cornerstone of mastitis control ever since. Overall the routine use of dry cow tubes has been very successful. In the 60's the national bulk milk cell count was in excess of 500,000 cells / ml. and the average farm could expect 150 cases / 100 cows / year. Now bulk milk counts are on average 200,000 cells / ml. and the average incidence of mastitis is about 40 cases / 100 cows / year. These changes have come about because contagious mastitis (Staph aureus and Strep agalactiae) have been effectively controlled, however environmental mastitis (E. coli) has increased in significance. Recent research has demonstrated that in excess of 50% of all environmental mastitis occurring in early lactation is as a direct result of infections acquired during the dry period. Quarters infected during the dry period are significantly more likely to succumb to clinical mastitis in the subsequent lactation compared to quarters that remain uninfected. Unfortunately most of these new infections acquired during the dry period will occur in the late dry period - when all dry tubes are becoming less effective in the protection they offer again environmental mastitis. TEAT SEALANTS have been suggested as a means of controlling mastitis in dry cows for many years - they are only appropriate in cows that are clinically free from infection. Previously there has been no effective product on the market, and until the last few years individual cow cell counts were not routinely undertaken. ORBESEAL TM During the last 40 years although many different antibiotic formulations have been produced with varying lengths and spectrums of action, all have been antibiotic based. ORBESEAL TM is an INTERNAL teat sealant. It is used to effectively seal the teat canal during the dry period, and is removed by either the calf sucking on the teat, or during stripping out before first post calving milking. As with all dry cow tubes HYGIENE on tube insertion is vital. ORBESEAL TM should be used in cows with a cell count of less than 200,000 cells / ml. which have not had clinical mastitis during their lactation. In many herds this will apply to about 60% of cows. Cows with high cell counts should be treated with a conventional tube, or if appropriate culled. Where there has been a recurrent problem with a quarter and it is decided not to cull the cow a five-day **** course is advisable. Advantages of ORBESEAL TM are that it will seal the teat for the whole dry period and significantly reduce the introduction of NEW intramammary infections. It is not antibiotic based so early calving will not cause a problem. Organic farmers can use the product. Disadvantages include the fact that cows will have to be selected for either ORBESEAL TM or conventional treatment, rather than treated as a group. It will also be necessary for all treated cows to have had individual cell counts. However if this means that a more rational approach is used to dry cow treatment this could in itself be an advantage.
text and diagram developed by Andrew J Bradley MA VetMB DCHP PhD MRCVS University of Bristol School of Veterinary Science and originally published in 'In Practice' journal UK.
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