There are currently no approved homeopathic remedies for mastitis and infertility in the United States. The USDA and FDA require that all approved therapies have scientific proof of their efficacy and safety. This is done to protect the public from unethical people and companies that are looking to make a fast dollar. There may be Web sites available that describe homeopathic remedies, but beware unless they have peer-reviewed scientific data to support their claims.

Dick Wallace, DVM, MS, Dairy Extension Veterinarian,
University of Illinois - Illini DairyNET

Dr. Wallace is correct regarding approval of homeopathic remedies. There are a few publications from other parts of the world that can be found in a search of peer-reviewed scientific publications that suggest homeopathic remedies may be effective against mastitis. These include Homeopathy, April
94(2):81-85, 2005; Homeopathy, Jan 93(1):17-20, 2004 (this one is for mastitis in water buffalo which are important in India); and BerlMunch Tiierarztl Wochenschr, Aug 1;102(8):266-272, 1989. Another paper, J VetMed A Physiol Pathol Clin Med, Dec:51(9-10):439-446, 2004, found that homeopathy was not significantly better than a placebo in reducing clinical signs of mastitis but also noted that most mastitis cases responded clinically within seven days with placebo as well as homeopathy. It was not clear that antibiotic therapy was notably better than either placebo or homeopathy against mastitis. Many studies in the United States have shown no advantage over placebo for antibiotic therapy as far as improvement of clinical signs of mastitis. Peer-reviewed studies of homeopathic remedies with larger sample sizes, comparison to at least one currently accepted antibiotic treatment regimen used in the United States (preferrably several), with somatic cell ount and culture results as well as clinical signs evaluated as part of criteria for a "cure" would be very useful. The dairy industry should be skeptical of homeopathic claims until there is more scientific evidence of efficacy against mastitis of ruminants. Beyond the issue of efficacy for homeopathic medicines an additional concern is the ability to ensure there are no residues of active compounds in the milk following treatment. Products approved for use in the treatment of mastitis must have documentation on residue concerns and suggested times for withholding milk following treatment. Whether one wishes to approach mastitis with conventionally approved antibiotic therapy or homeopathic medicines, the ultimate goal is to ensure that no residues of active compounds are in the milk. Similar to the lack of data on efficacy, there is even less scientific data on possible residue concerns with homeopathic medicines.

Dave Wilson, Dairy Extension Veterinarian, Utah State University