PRACTICAL MONITORING OF CLINICAL MASTITIS TREATMENT PROGRAMS

摘要

As herd veterinarians and consultants, it had become increasingly important that we "ask the cows" how our management is doing by monitoring herd health and production data. Mastitis treatment efficacy is a classic example. In many instances whateverwas in the last intramammary tube that was infused gets credit for the "cure". Relying on the herdsperson's or sickpen crew member's perception of "how well" a particular treatment is working can be misleading. Often the more recent, more severe, "treatment failures" remain prominent in their mind. We eliminate these biases by developing rational treatment protocols, adhering to them and setting up a method for accurate and complete on farm data capture and recording. With these elements in place we greatly increase our ability to more objectively monitor the success of our clinical mastitis treatment programs.