Subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle: a pilot study on the efficacy of near-infrared Multiwave-locked system laser (MLS®) therapy.

Abstract

Mastitis is a significant challenge in dairy farming, traditionally managed with antibiotics. However, the widespread use of antibiotics has raised concerns regarding antibiotic resistance and animal welfare. As a result, alternative treatments such as laser therapy have gained increasing attention. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of near-infrared (NIR) Multiwave Locked System (MLS^®) laser therapy in the treatment of Chronic Subclinical Mastitis (CSM) (Trial 1) and Acute Subclinical Mastitis (ASM) (Trial 2) in dairy cows.

Cows were randomly assigned to either the control or treatment groups, with the treatment group receiving MLS^® laser therapy over a two-week period. Milk samples were analyzed for Somatic Cell Count (SCC), Differential Somatic Cell Count (DSCC), lactose, and fatty acid profiles at multiple time points (day 0, 7, 14 and 21 after the treatment).

In CSM cases, laser therapy showed a trend towards reduced SCC compared to controls, with significant differences in De Novo fatty acids suggesting improvements in udder health. However, lactose reduction in the control group indicated ongoing inflammation, potentially exacerbated by environmental stressors. In ASM cases, significant decreases in DSCC were observed post-treatment, suggesting a potential benefit of laser therapy in managing acute inflammatory responses.

While the study’s small sample size and short follow-up limit the generalizability of the findings, the results suggest that MLS^® laser therapy may be an effective alternative treatment for managing both chronic and acute subclinical mastitis in dairy cows. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are necessary to confirm these results and assess the long-term efficacy of laser therapy in mastitis management.