Het effect van selectief droogzetten op het ontstaan van mastitis

Abstract

The antibiotics covenant agreed that the use of antibiotics should be reduced. In the dairy sector, almost half of the total antibiotic use, are used to dry cows of at the end of the lactation. In this study, the effect of selective dry off on the occurrence of mastitis determined and examines what management factors play a role in the successful selective non-drying off, at low cell count cows. Furthermore, it is calculated if selective non-drying off in the cattle industry is leading to an overall decrease in total antibiotic use in this sector. The test is being executed on 7 companies, a total of 42 cows are included in the test. 21 of the cows where dried off with antibiotic in the udder, the other 21 without antibiotics. Selective non-drying-off leads to an increase in the number of cases of mastitis. 5 of the 21 cows developed clinical mastitis, compared with 0 cows in the group which where dried of with antibiotics. The literature shows that feed is an important factor to avoid mastitis. Parity and hygiene during the dry period are the biggest risk factor for the development of mastitis in the trial. Outdoor access has a positive effect on the prevention of subclinical mastitis. This is probably due to improved hygiene conditions in an outdoor run. Increased movement pattern, while the cows where walking outdoor would also be a possible cause. Selective non-drying off brings a reduction of antibiotics with them, even if there are more cases of mastitis occur. It is concluded that dry off without antibiotics more cases of mastitis entails, but if strict criteria are used, it is possible to reduce the use of antibiotics by selective non-drying off.