EFFICACY OF PREPARTUM, INTRAMAMMARY LACTATING Cow ANTIBIOTICS IN DAIRY HEIFERS

摘要

Mastitis in first calf heifers can negatively affect dairy producers profitability (Jaenicke et al., 1999). Mastitis in heifers may decrease milk production, and has the potential to introduce contagious organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus into herds (Fox and Roberson, 1993). Past studies have shown a decrease in mastitis when heifers are treated with a dry cow antibiotic prepartum (Owens et al., 2001). Limited research has shown a decrease in mastitis in heifers when treated with lactating cow antibiotics (Oliver et al., 1992). Using lactating cow treatment instead of dry cow treatment may offer the advantages of reduced antibiotic residue times, more efficient labor use, and decreased costs in some circumstances.