Back to search

FFL-JA-Forskningsmidlene for jordbruk og matindustri

New Approaches to MASTitis treatment and Effective prevention

Alternative title: Nye metoder for behandling og forebygging av mastitt

Awarded: NOK 2.3 mill.

Treatment of clinical mastitis (udder inflammation) is the most important reason for antibiotic use in dairy production today. The use of antibiotics is low in Norwegian milk production compared to many other countries, and antibiotic resistance is currently uncommon among bacteria isolated from cows’ milk. It is important to promote restrictive usage of antibiotics to prevent the establishment of resistant bacteria. Spread of antibiotic resistance into the food-chain is an undesired side effect of resistance in the dairy sector. However, it is still important that sick animals get proper treatment to ensure good animal health and - welfare. Therefore, some antibiotic treatments for cattle are neccessary and appropriate use is the aim. Results from treatment trials in other countries or parts of the world are not necessarily relevant for use in Norwegian milk production. We will therefore perform a clinical field-trial to test a new protocol for treatment of mastitis under Norwegian conditions. Our goal is to reduce antibiotic usage without jeopardizing animal health. The results will be used to update national guidelines for treatment of clinical mastitis in dairy cows. To implement change in antibiotic use, it is important to understand how decisions are made on farms and how advice is received. We will perform in-debt interviews with dairy farmers as well as veterinarians, to increase the understanding of this process. The project is therefore an interdisciplinary combination of a field-trial and qualitative methods. Stakeholders will participate in planning, implementation, and dissemination of results. The dairy co-operative TINE and the association of production animal veterinarians are partners, which will ensure the relevance of research questions and feasibility of advice. Targeted information to farmers, veterinarians and advisors is an output - which will ultimately lead to better uptake of new treatment practices.

Treatment of clinical mastitis (udder inflammation) is the most important reason for antibiotic use in dairy production today. Antibiotic usage is low in Norwegian milk production compared to many other countries, and antibiotic resistance in udder pathogens is currently not widespread in our dairy population. Prudent use is necessary to prevent the establishment of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics and subsequent spill-over of antibiotic resistance into the food chain. However, clinically affected animals still need proper treatment from an animal health and welfare perspective. Appropriate use of antibiotics is the goal. Results from treatment trials in other regions are not necessarily relevant to our dairy production systems and bacterial flora. We will therefore perform a randomized controlled clinical trial testing a new treatment protocol for clinical mastitis under Norwegian conditions. Our hypothesis is that the antibiotic usage can be reduced without jeopardizing animal health. The results will be used to update national guidelines for treatment of clinical mastitis in dairy cows. To implement change in antibiotic use, it is important to understand how decisions are made on farms and how advice is received. We will perform in-debt interviews with dairy farmers as well as veterinarians, to increase the understanding of this process. The project is an interdisciplinary combination of quantitative and qualitative methods which will contribute to maintaining good animal health and welfare with less antibiotics. Stakeholders will participate in planning, implementation, and dissemination of results. The dairy co-operative TINE and the association of production animal veterinarians are partners and a participatory approach will be applied to ensure important aspects are covered. Targeted information to farmers, veterinarians and advisors is an output - which will ultimately lead to better uptake of new treatment practices.

Funding scheme:

FFL-JA-Forskningsmidlene for jordbruk og matindustri