HEAL ▶▶▶TH
Timing: A top priority in E. coli induced mastitis
Cows infected with E. coli can get severely ill. Rapid intervention with supporting therapy should be a top priority.
BY WIJNAND HOGENKAMP, BOERDERIJ EDITOR E
Mastitis preven- tion measures include thor- oughly cleaning the udders and teats before milking, use a separate cloth for each cow.
very livestock farmer has seen it at some point: a cow suddenly becoming critically ill due to severe mastitis. Even though there are several causes, an infection with Escherichia coli (E. coli) is often quickly considered.
Intervention is imperative. How to go about this however, is a matter of discussion, especially when it comes to using antibi- otics. One group of vets thinks that using antibiotics should be the standard, in accordance with the formulary for dairy cattle. Bouwen Scheijgrond, board member of the KNMvD Commis- sion Ruminants (the Dutch veterinary association) says: “The formulary prescribes antibiotics when a cow suffers from se- vere clinical mastitis.” He does add that the formulary is not a cookbook and that farmer and vet need to decide together how to handle the situation. Other vets do not feel that there is any added value to the currently available antibiotics. It is however certain that a severely ill cow needs immediate treatment. A bacteriological examination (BE) provides in- sight into what causes mastitis. Symptoms caused by E. coli, Klebsiella or sometimes even Staphylococcus aureus are
“Timing is crucial for the cow’s survival chances.”
similar. Even a severe form of infection by Staphylococcus ub- eris can cause the same clinical symptoms. E. coli cannot always be determined with a BE, because the bacteria are often already dead and the toxins they excrete, are what make the cow particularly ill. Cultivation indicates the degree of the infection’s severity, because there is a con- nection between the numbers of coliforms and the severity of the illness. It is useful to know for future treatments if E. coli or other bacteria are involved. That is why a BE with a sensitivity test should be conducted.
Biggest chance of survival Christian Scherpenzeel, veterinarian and udder health expert at the Dutch Veterinary Health Service (VHS) says that an acutely ill cow always needs adequate treatment fast. “Timing is crucial for the cow’s survival chances. Always start with an urgent call to your vet. Then check the farm’s treatment plan
24 ▶DAIRY GLOBAL | Volume 7, No. 1, 2020
PHOTO: HENK RISWICK
PHOTO: HENK RISWICK
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