Treatment of Coliform Mastitis in Bovine Practice: – Can Antibiotics be Avoided?

Background Coliform mastitis is an acute and potentially lethal type of mastitis in bovine practice. The therapeutical approach to acute coliform mastitis is frequently discussed. While is generally accepted that supportive therapy, such as fluid therapy, is necessary, the administration of antibiotics is questionned. This is due to mainly two reasons. Firstly, the clinical ill effects observed in coliform mastitis are often thought to be due to the effect of the accompanying endotoxicosis, which would not be influenced positively by the killing of the non-invasive E. coli. Secondly, antibiotics effective against E. coli, are potent, broadspectered antibiotics, with heavy impact on the micro-ecology. The unnecessary use of such antibiotics would subsequently contribute to the development of antibiotic resistance. Aim The aim of the present investigation was to determine the clinical outcome of two standard treatment regimens, one including antibiotics and one without. Material and methods