Evaluation of a polyherbal preparation applied topically in curing intramammary infections and subsiding udder inflammation in dairy cows

Excessive use of antibiotics may result in establishment of antibiotic resistance, human sensitivity disorders and adverse effects on the dairy industry. So, an antibiotic alternate strategy for successfully treating the disease is preferred. In present study, a polyherbal preparation “Sepal” developed by the Post-graduate Institute of Medical Research, Chandigarh, was evaluated in the treatment of specific subclinical mastitis in 13 HF × Sahiwal crossbred cows in their early lactation. The health status of the quarters was defined considering culture and somatic cell count (SCC) results of quarter foremilk (QFM) for three consecutive days, following the IDF guidelines. The QFM and udder composite milk samples were collected pre-treatment (0d), and 7 and 21 d post-treatment. The samples were analyzed for bacteriology, CMT, SCC, electrical conductivity (EC), and biochemical composition to analyze the effect of therapy on intramammary infections (IMI), udder inflammation and milk quality. The udder of cow was cleaned properly, dried, and stimulated for letdown of milk. The, drug was then applied morning and evening for 07 consecutive days by massaging on the quarters/ udder portions affected with specific or non-specific mastitis. The therapy could cure 12/22 (54.54%) quarterswith specific or non-specific mastitis, i.e., IMI eliminated, and milk SCC reduced to <400×103 cells/ml at 21d post-last treatment. The therapy could eliminate 08/13 (61.54%) of specific IMI and 05/07 (71.43%) latent infections. No new IMI was established in the treated quarters, while 09/23 (39.13%) of untreated quarters developed IMI. The milk SCC, EC, and CMT scores decreased significantly (p<0.05) post-treatment. At the cow level, a significant improvement in the biochemical composition of milk occurred; while milk SCC andCMT score decreased, the SNF, density, protein, and lactose increased. Thus, the herbal topical therapy may be recommended to treat early cases of mastitis in dairy cows.