What Are the Treatments for Mastitis in Dairy Cows?

Mastitis can be a painful, debilitating disease for dairy cows. Traditional veterinary treatment has been frowned upon by organic farmers, which has led to experimentation and research with alternate effective methods. The best treatments are easily applicable to large herds raised for commercial purposes as these cows are directly linked to the human food chain.

  1. Antibiotics

    • According to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, mastitis in dairy cows is traditionally treated by injecting antibiotics into the cow's teat via a cannula. After insertion, the caregiver manually maneuvers the antibiotics throughout the udder by pinching the teat and pressing the fingers against the mammary gland. A study performed by veterinary scientists from the University of Bristol and the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom found that an antibiotic combination of cefalexin and kanamycin outperforms both single antibiotic use and a ceflaxin and cefoperazone combination.

    Clay Therapy

    • Treating dairy cow mastitis with clay involves layering a wet clay mixture over the infected areas of the udder two or three times per day after milking during the course of the infection. Clay is blended with either room-temperature water or olive oil, or a combination of both. Oil provides more elasticity than water, allowing the mixture to cling better to the udder. According to agronomist Jean Duval of the Ecological Agriculture Projects, acute mastitis shows signs of healing after two to six hours and chronic cases may take up to three days to begin healing.

    Homeopathy

    • Homeopathic treatment dictates that certain herbs may be administered orally through a cow's drinking water. Herbs are chosen based on how an animal contracted mastitis and resultant symptoms. Belladonna is used when the mammary gland is hot, red and painful to touch. Belladonna is mixed with lachesis if the udder is violet or showing signs of gangrene. Arnica is used when an animal suffered injury to the gland. Phytolacca treats cows excreting sour milk. Silicea dries cases of mastitis with pus-filled abscesses. Aconitum treats mastitis developed after exposure to cold drafts.

    Oxygen Therapy

    • Oxygen therapy was developed by Dr. William Frederick Koch and has been proven successful in the treatment of dairy cow mastitis. Applicable to commercial herds, the treatment usually requires a single injection of glyoxilide. Sometimes, up to three injections are administered. The treatment process has been overseen by Canada's British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture, which approves its use. It may be the most favored of all mastitis treatments, as a single dose may be effective for up to two years.