Evaluation of a homoeopathic treatment for subclinical mastitis
Egan, J.
Veterinary Record 137(2): 48
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 8525586 Document Number: 446673
The efficacy of a homeopathic mastitis preparation was evaluated in 15 cows with subclinical mastitis. The cows, which were in mid to late lactation, were housed during the study. Before treatment 38 quarters were normal, Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 17 quarters, coagulase-negative staphylococci from 2 quarters and 2 had a non-specific subclinical mastitis. The homeopathic preparation which was administered orally (2 ml) after morning and evening milkings on 17 consecutive days, was formulated as follows: 2 parts Phytolacca and one part each of Thuja, Ratanhia, Sulphur, Sticta, Thymus, Zinzibec. Huang Qi and Xia Ku Cao; all at a 30C potency. The udders were also massaged with a homeopathic herbal cream recommended for use with the oral preparation. Bacteriological examination and somatic cell counts (SCC) on quarter milk samples from the cows showed that none of the cases responded to treatment. During the experiment, the number of normal quarters decreased by 4 and the number of quarters with a milk SCC >1 000 000 increased from 9 to 20.