Barbara Payne, James Bradley, Emily Coombes, Emma Lusby, Katherine Mining, Caroline Hunt and Andrew Bradley

Introduction - Mastitis bacteriology results at QMMS were reviewed from 2010-13 to report the main causes of clinical and subclinical (high cell count) mastitis. The causes of mastitis were very diverse, with more than 100 different pathogens (mainly bacteria) identified, although these were predominantly environmental pathogens with 'contagious' pathogens isolated in just over 10% of submitted samples

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The following paper was presented at The Swedish Veterinary Conference 2007.

Introduction - The use of antibiotic dry cow therapy (DCT) and the treatment of intramammary infection (IMI) at drying off has been a cornerstone of mastitis management and control over the past six decades (Bradley, 2002). This use along with the other control strategies outlined in the NIRD Five Point Plan has led to a dramatic change in the incidence and aetiology of clinical and sub-clinical mastitis. This change can be summarised as a decrease in the prevalence of contagious mastitis pathogens and an increase in the importance of the environmental pathogens such as S. uberis and E. coli on the vast majority of well-managed dairy units (Erskine et al., 1988; Barkema et al., 1998; Bradley, 2002). These changes have necessitated a rethink in our approach and our rationale for the use of antibiotics in mastitis control.

This paper briefly reviews the role of the dry period in mastitis epidemiology and, in the light of recent research, the use of both antibiotic and non-antibiotic dry cow therapy in the management of intramammary infection during the dry period.

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A J Bradley, K A Leach, J E Breen, L E Green and M J Green

Introduction - Bovine mastitis remains as a significant cause of financial loss to the UK dairy industry and there is little evidence that the situation has improved in recent years. This paper is designed to ‘update’ the reader on the most recent findings of the Mastitis Diagnosis and Control Plan (The MDC Plan) first outlined in the 2005 conference. In addition it details a pilot project currently being undertaken to assess the best route for ‘roll out’ of the Plan.

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