In Practice 24: 582-587 (2002)
© 2002 British Veterinary Association

A rational approach to dry cow therapy 1. Udder health priorities during the dry period

¹ University of Warwick.
² Farm animal production medicine Bristol.
³ Cattle Health and production; Farm Animal Prractice; production medicine Bristol

IN all areas of medicine, the appropriate use of antimicrobial agents has become a subject of much interest and debate. Concerns over the misuse of antibiotics centre on the possible build up of bacterial resistance and a fear of residues entering the food chain. The veterinary surgeon plays a pivotal role in the way in which antibacterial agents are used on the dairy farms under his/her care and dry cow therapy is probably the most commonly prescribed antibiotic product, with almost 4 tonnes of active ingredients being used in the year 2000. As with all medicines, it is essential that dry cow therapy is prescribed on a rational basis. The aim of this two-part article is to describe current knowledge on udder health in the dry period and to use this to develop a logical approach to prescribing dry cow therapy. Part 2, which will be published in the next issue, will provide guidance on product selection.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. J. Green, A. J. Bradley, G. F. Medley, and W. J. Browne Cow, Farm, and Management Factors During the Dry Period that Determine the Rate of Clinical Mastitis After Calving J Dairy Sci, August 1, 2007; 90(8): 3764 - 3776. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]