Prudent Use of Antibiotics in Dairy Cows: The Nordic Approach to Udder Health.

Päivi Rajala-Schultz,Karin Persson Waller,Tariq Halasa,Ane Nødtvedt

doi:10.3389/fvets.2021.623998

Abstract

Global concerns regarding bacterial antibiotic resistance demand prudent use of antibiotics in livestock production. Dairy production in the Nordic countries has a low consumption of antibiotics, while animal health, productivity and milk quality are at high levels. Here, we describe the basis of Nordic mastitis control and treatment strategies, as a model for production of high-quality milk with prudent use of antibiotics. We hope this will be beneficial for dairy producers and advisors in other countries and regions that consider limiting antibiotic use in cattle herds. In this perspectives paper we describe the dairy sector in the Nordic countries, and present regulatory aspects of antibiotic use, diagnostics and current guidelines for treatment of clinical mastitis as well as dry cow therapy. We also show summary statistics of udder health indicators in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, to illustrate the effects of the implemented udder health management practices.

Highlights

Antibiotic resistance is a global concern because of its fast spread in human, and in animal populations [1,2,3]
The aim of this paper is to describe the basis of Nordic mastitis control and treatment strategies, as a model for high-quality milk production with prudent use of antibiotics
In a time when antibiotic resistance is recognized as a threat to animal and human health [3], food animal producers and veterinarians must continue to strive for prudent antibiotic use and sustainable production

Summary

Introduction

Antibiotic resistance is a global concern because of its fast spread in human, and in animal populations [1,2,3]. A common feature for livestock production in the Nordic countries is the constant focus on prudent use of antibiotics. The overall consumption of antibiotics in animal populations in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden is the lowest among European countries, as measured by mg of active ingredients per kg of estimated biomass of animal populations [4]. The tradition of prudent antibiotic use in production animals goes back several decades and has contributed to low levels of antibiotic resistance in bacteria isolated from this sector across the Nordic countries [5, 6]. Antibiotic resistance is quite uncommon in dairy cattle in the region, compared to that in other species and regions

Objectives

Findings

Conclusion