Abstract: [Objective] To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of a self-formulated traditional Chinese medicine compound on bovine mastitis. [Method] The in vitro antibacterial activity of this compound against the main pathogens causing bovine mastitis was determined,and its clinical efficacy was evaluated. [Result] The minimum inhibitory concentration （MIC） of the traditional Chinese medicine compound against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae was 31.25 mg/mL,and the MIC against Escherichia coli was 62.5 mg/mL,indicating moderate sensitivity. The results of different drug interventions showed that the high-dose group of the traditional Chinese medicine compound had the highest clinical efficacy and cure rate,reaching 100% and 83.33%,respectively; followed by the antibiotic group,with an efficacy rate of 83.33% and a cure rate of 66.67%; the medium-dose group of the traditional Chinese medicine compound had an efficacy rate of 66.67%; and the low-dose group of the traditional Chinese medicine compound had the worst effect,with an efficacy rate of 50% and a cure rate of 16.67%. After medication,the somatic cell count （SCC） of milk in all groups decreased significantly （P< 0.05）; among them,the SCC of milk in the medium-dose group,high-dose group,and antibiotic group were all below 200000 cells/mL,namely 19.35±0.32,11.32±0.44,and 14.52±0.21×104 cells/mL,respectively. Compared with the blank control group,the average daily feed intake of dairy cows in each medication group increased significantly （P<0.05）; the milk yield of the medium and high dose groups of the traditional Chinese medicine compound increased significantly （P<0.05）,and the milk-to-feed ratio showed an upward trend （P>0.05）.[Conclusion] This traditional Chinese medicine compound can effectively inhibit the proliferation of Staphylococcus aureus,Streptococcus agalactiae,and Escherichia coli,and has a good therapeutic effect on mastitis in dairy cows,which can significantly reduce the somatic cell count of milk; the high-dose compound is more effective than conventional antibiotics,and can also increase the feed intake and milk yield of sick dairy cows,and improve their health status.

Key words: traditional Chinese medicine compound preparation, dairy cow mastitis, pathogenic bacteria, in vitro bacteriostatic activity, therapeutic effect