Mastitis in dairy cows

Mastitis in dairy cows is one of the most common and significant diseases in the dairy industry, affecting both the health of the cow and the quality and quantity of milk.

What is mastitis

It is a bacterial infection of the udder, most often caused by:

   •   Streptococcus

   •  Staphylococcus

   •  E. coli

Symptoms can include:

   •  Swelling, warmth, and pain in the udder

   •  Change in the appearance of the milk (lumps, blood, watery)

   •  Decrease in milk yield

Cephapirin Treatment (Cephamax)

The active ingredient Cephapirin, marketed under the name Cephamax, is an antibiotic from the cephalosporin family.

Why is it used:

   •   Effective mainly against gram-positive bacteria (such as streptococci and staphylococci)

   •   Suitable for the treatment of clinical and subclinical mastitis

   •   Also common for dry cow therapy

Treatment method

Treatment is usually given in the form of:

   •   Intramammary infusion

General protocol:

   •   Clean and disinfect the nipple thoroughly

   •   Insert the syringe into the nipple canal

   •  Inject the substance into the affected quarter

   •  Gentle massage to distribute

Usually:

   •   Daily treatment for 2–3 days (depending on veterinarian guidance)

Withdrawal time

Very important:

   •   There is a withdrawal time for milk – milk must not be marketed during this time

   •    Usually: about 48–96 hours (depending on the product and dosage)

Advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:

   •  Good penetration into the udder tissue

   •  High efficiency in common infections

   •  Easy to use in the field

Disadvantages:

   •   Less effective in gram-negative infections (such as E. coli)

   •   Incorrect use may cause bacterial resistance

   •   Requires strict adherence to sterility

Important professional highlights

   •   Perform a sensitivity test (culture) before treatment when possible

   •   Do not treat “blindly” with recurrent infections

   •   Combine with:

     •   Managing milking hygiene

      •   Disinfecting teats before and after milking

      •  Treatment of chronic cows

Summary

Cephapyrin (Cepamax) is an effective and common treatment for mastitis in dairy cows, especially when associated bacterial infections are present. However, the success of treatment depends on correct diagnosis, precise application, and adherence to hygiene and withdrawal periods.

Benefits of short withdrawal times in milk – Cephapyrin (Cepamax)

Zephyrin usually has a relatively short waiting time, which provides several significant advantages:

1. Reducing economic losses

   •   Fewer days in which milk is thrown away

   •   Quick return to milk marketing

   •  Improvement in the profitability of treatment

In large dairy farms, this is a difference of thousands of shekels over time

2. Maintaining milk supply continuity

   •   Less impact on the amount of milk delivered to the dairy

   •   It is easier to comply with agreements with entities such as Tnuva

3. Simpler operational management

   •   Less need for prolonged separation of cows

   •   Less mistakes of mixing milk with the rest of the herd

   •   It is easier to track cows in care

4. Reduced risk of antibiotic residues

   •   Short and well-defined waiting time → easier to implement

   •   Reduces risk of milk containers being rejected due to residues

5. Fast return to cow routine

   •  The cow returns to normal production cycle faster

   •   Less administrative and treatment stress

But it is very important to remember:

   •   Even if the waiting time is short — it must be strictly adhered to

   •  Even a small deviation → may result in the rejection of an entire container of milk

   •  Always follow the manufacturer's/veterinarian's instructions

Summary

One of the most prominent advantages of Cephapirin (Cephamax) is its relatively short waiting time, which allows for:

Fewer losses

Easier management

High food safety

*It is always advisable to consult a qualified veterinarian.