Dear breeders,
Antibiotics are drugs that are used in both humans and animals to kill disease-causing bacteria. That is why they are of great importance in the treatment of, for example, infections of the breast and uterus. They are also used en masse in the treatment of the flu, although initially the flu is usually caused by a virus that antibiotics do not work against. In this context, consider, for example, a coronavirus infection in humans, which cannot be treated with antibiotics either. Although antibiotics have already saved many lives in both human and veterinary medicine and are therefore indispensable, they also have two very important disadvantages. On the one hand they do not distinguish between “good” and “bad” bacteria, on the other hand improper use leads to the development of resistance. For example, we need good bacteria in our gut as they help in the digestion of our food. When we have to take antibiotics, it often happens that some people get diarrhea. Eating yogurt, which is rich in good bacteria, while on antibiotics will greatly reduce this problem.
Resistance, in turn, arises because not all germs are killed during an antibiotic treatment. After all, with every bacterial infection there are a number of bacteria that are especially strong and don’t mind the antibiotic. They continue to live, multiply and cause disease. In other words, they are “resistant” to the antibiotic. In a recovering individual, these resistant bacteria are still killed and eliminated by that individual’s resistance. However, this can be problematic in people and animals with weakened resistance, so that these resistant bacteria can become life-threatening in such individuals. Bacteria resistant to any antibiotic treatment will therefore form, especially when the treatment is not carried out as prescribed (for example, when the treatment is stopped too soon or when the dose is underdosed). Since every antibiotic treatment gives rise to the formation of some of these dangerous “super bacteria”, the goal is to rationalize the use of antibiotics in both humans and animals. With the latter we mean above all to use only when strictly necessary and above all in the right way (e.g. long enough and with the right dose). They also want to keep a range of antibiotics on hand in case a serious infection with bacteria that is life-threatening to humans occurs. All of this has led to the need for some antibiotics little or no more are authorized for use in veterinary medicine (e.g. Excenel, Baytril and Cobactan mammary tubes) and that some treatments we used to do can no longer be performed unless it is proven that they are really necessary. Drying cows with long-acting antibiotics is a good example. Cows that are completely healthy and with a healthy udder can no longer be treated with long-acting antibiotics once they are dried out. The latter will only be allowed if it is demonstrated that treatment is necessary, for example if the cow had an udder infection during lactation or if she has increased cell counts at the end of the lactation. In these cases we speak of “selective” dry drying.
To prevent bacteria from entering the udder during the dry period, cows can be treated with a so-called “teat sealant” or “teat sealant” at dry time. These breast tubes do not contain antibiotics, but only a product to close the nipple so that no other bacteria can enter the breast and thus cannot cause inflammation in the breast.
Outdoor practice vets will help you transition from generalized drying off to selective drying off with antibiotics, which is required by law. After all, we believe that with proper guidance, decreased use of desiccant with antibiotics will not be associated with more udder infections or increased reservoir cell counts.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation!
