DETERMINATION OF THE EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT DRY COW THERAPY ON UDDER HEALTH IN DAIRY COWS

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of application of antibiotic and non-antibiotic products and their combinations in preventing mastitis during drying off in dairy cows. Somatic cell count (SCC) and bacteriologic culture were performed from the milk sample which was collected during drying off on Day 7 and Day 14 of lactation. There are four groups involved in this study. The first, second and third groups were given cloxacilin-ampicilin (CA), CA with spiramycin and CA with 65% bismuth subnitrate (BS) respectively while the fourth group was given only BS, all administered intramuscularly in all groups. Observation of the SCC showed a decrease in the second group. Mastitis incidence between this period showed a decrease in groups 1 and 2 (57.25%, 48%, 34.75%53%, 52.75%, 36.75%), no change in the third group (41.25%, 39.5%, 41.25%) and an increase in the 4th group (43.75%, 42.25%, 51.75%). When comparing the mastitis rate and SCC counts of the four groups, it was found that the second group produced the most successful treatment option. It is concluded that parenteral antibiotic application, in addition to intramammary antibiotics, is the most successful among the dry period treatment protocols in this study