[The use of a dry cow preparation for the prevention of summer mastitis in maiden heifers (author's transl)].

An investigation was made of the preventive value of topical application to juvenile udders of a dry cow preparation containing 300,000 IU of procaine penicillin G (Penzal N 300). Penicillin concentrations in udder secretions of 30 young cows were examined. In calves up to 10 weeks and in maiden heifers up to 7 weeks after application an average concentration of 0.05 ml IU per ml of secretion was found. In the same groups, 12 and 9 weeks respectively after application, the concentration was 0.01 IU per ml of secretion. Experiences in practice in an area with a high infection rate have shown an obvious protection in 700 maiden heifers. Some cases of infection did occur both shortly (1.0%) and from 5 weeks after application (1.9%). The clinical character of the latter was much milder than is usual for summer mastitis. When administered in time and in the correct manner the dry cow preparation examined showed reasonable protection against summer mastitis.