Evaluation of increased milking frequency as an additional treatment for cows with clinical mastitis

Abstract

This field study focused on the possible effects of increased milking frequency (milking four times a day in comparison with milking twice a day) on clinical and bacteriological cure rates of clinical, antibiotically treated mastitis cases. Parameters tested were clinical, microbiological and full (cytomicrobiological) cure as well as the development of milk yield after the clinical mastitis episode. Cows from a large dairy herd meeting the study criteria (n=93) were assigned to two treatment groups by a systematic randomization scheme (blocked by body temperature <=or >39.5 degrees C). Both groups were randomly divided by experimental treatments: a) antibiotic intramammary treatment and milking 2-times a day; b) antibiotic intramammary treatment and milking 4-times a day. Treatments were initiated before the culture results were known. Cows were surveyed and evaluated on days 1-6, 24 and 31. No significant differences between treatment and control groups regarding clinical cure, microbiological cure, full cure and milk production could be established. Applying a 4-times a day milking regime did not lead to any significant effect, either positive or negative. Therefore, the results suggest that milking 4-times a day as a supporting therapy for mild, moderate and severe antimicrobially treated mastitis cases cannot be recommended.

Treatment for bovineEscherichia colimastitis – an evidence‐based approach

“…Frequent milking is a traditional treatment for mastitis and is commonly recommended as a supportive treatment for clinical mastitis (Radostits et al ., ). A field study on its efficacy in treating clinical mastitis failed to show any beneficial effects, however (Krömker et al ., ). Similar results were published for an experimental study using an E. coli mastitis model (Leininger et al ., ).…”

Treatment of Clinical Mastitis

“…8 A more recent study reported that milking 4 times as a supportive therapy for mild, moderate, and severe antimicrobially treated mastitis cases cannot be recommended. 64 A review of the history and studies regarding the efficacy of FMO for clinical mastitis is available. 65 The only study, to date, that reported improved efficacy with FMO indicated that use of frequent milking significantly improved clinical cure for naturally occurring acute E coli mastitis on day 2.…”

Comparative effectiveness of individualised homeopathy and antibiotics in the treatment of bovine clinical mastitis: randomised controlled trial

“…36 In the present study, a high rate of culture-negative mastitis cases was found, which compares well with study results of Krömker and others. 43 In approximately 10-40 per cent of samples, pathogens are not identiied in routine clinical culture assays. [44][45][46] Culture-negative cases cannot be detected from a change in milk appearance or from clinical symptoms.…”