Interesting results from dry cow study

A recently reported clinical trial of 489 cows on dairy farms in the South West last spring and summer has demonstrated some excellent efficacy levels for treating and preventing intramammary infections in the dry period and early lactation.

The trial compared cefquinome (Cephaguard DC, Intervet) and a 600mg cloxacillin dry cow tube (OEDC) on its own, and in combination with a teat sealant.

According to the firm, cefquinome demonstrated superior efficacy in terms of infection prevention during and after the dry period relative to cloxacillin alone, and was statistically equal to the combination treatment group.

Indeed, cows treated with cefquinome were around half as likely to develop mastitis in the first 100 days post calving than those treated with cloxacillin alone.

The trial also demonstrated excellent efficacy levels against existing Strep. uberis infections when compared with cloxacillin.

Intervet has shown that Strep. uberis is responsible for 18 per cent of high cell counts and 23 per cent of clinical cases, so the dry period offers a useful time to treat this persistent pathogen. "Several weeks of exposure to an effective dry cow antibiotic provides a particularly good opportunity to kill the cow-adapted strain of Strep. uberis," says Intervet's large animal veterinary adviser, Rosemary Booth. "It lives quite happily in the udder and is tougher and harder to kill than the environmental strain," she says.

Further information on the study was presented at the company's 'Large Herd Seminar' on June 30 and is also available from Debbie Clark, telephone 01908 665050 or e-mail debbie.clark@intervet.com

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