Anti-inflammatory therapy in acute endotoxin-induced bovine mastitis

Abstract

Acute mastitis was induced in lactating cows by intramammary challenge with 10 micrograms of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide. The cows were monitored clinically prior to and for 96 hours after challenge. Milk production, complete blood counts, serum enzyme activities and milk indicators of inflammation were evaluated. Endotoxin challenge was in 7 groups of 3 cows each. Within the groups, cows were randomly assigned to 3 intravenous treatments: saline controls, steroid (one dose of dexamethasone at 0.44 mg/kg) and non-steroidal agent (two doses of flunixin meglumine at 1.1 mg/kg, 8 h apart). Anti-inflammatory therapy reduced rectal and mammary gland surface temperatures. Milk production was significantly reduced (p less than 0.05) in cows treated with dexamethasone. Although dexamethasone treatment produced significant increases (p less than 0.05) in blood leukocytes and segmented neutrophils, milk somatic cell concentrations were not significantly altered. Flunixin meglumine did not alter milk production or blood or milk leukocytes.

Field evaluation of flunixin meglumine in the supportive treatment of caprine mastitis

“…These results are similar to those reported in bovine mastitis, after administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents (Anderson & Hunt, 1989;Green et al, 1997;Morin et al, 1998). Furthermore, administration of flunixin without antibacterial agents is often practiced.…”

Flunixin meglumine accelerates uterine involution and shortens the calving‐to‐first‐oestrus interval in cows with puerperal metritis

“…These findings are consistent with the antipyretic, anti‐inflammatory and antitoxic properties of flunixin. In cattle, flunixin reduces the plasma concentration of thromboxane B 2 and prostaglandin E 2 and thus, is effective against inflammatory response to endotoxins (Anderson & Hunt, 1989; Espinasse et al ., 1994; Odensvik & Magnusson, 1996).…”

“…These ®ndings are consistent with the antipyretic, anti-in¯ammatory and antitoxic properties of¯unixin. In cattle, unixin reduces the plasma concentration of thromboxane B 2 and prostaglandin E 2 and thus, is effective against in¯ammatory response to endotoxins (Anderson & Hunt, 1989;Espinasse et al, 1994;Odensvik & Magnusson, 1996). The process of normal uterine involution is usually completed within 4±5 weeks postpartum and is associated with a massive and sustained release of prostaglandin F 2a (Morrow, 1969;Okano & Tomizuka, 1987;Zain et al, 1995).…”

The Combined Use of Lipoxygenase and Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors in Klebsiella pneumoniae‐induced Bovine Mastitis

“…Pyrexia was not significantly altered by treatment with FM and NDGA. In endotoxin-induced bovine mastitis, FM used at a dose of 1.1 mg/kg has produced variable degrees of antipyresis (ANDERSON et al, 1986;ANDERSON and HUNT, 1989). ANDERSON and HUNT (1989) have suggested that a 2.2mg/kg dose of FM may be more effective in reducing pyrexia in the cow.…”

“…The finding of increased levels of eicosanoids in the milk of cows with coliform mastitis has provided a rationale to investigate the therapeutic uses of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in coliform mastitis. A number of studies have examined the use of flunixin meglumine (FM) in experimental coliform mastitis (ANDERSON et al, 1986; LOHUIS et a]., 1989; ANDERSON and HUNT, 1989). FM has antipyretic, antiinflammatory, and analgesic properties, which are thought t o be due, at least in part, to the inhibition of cyclooxygenase by FM (KOPCHA and AHL, 1989).…”