intramammary

Intramammary refers to something located within or introduced into the mammary gland, typically the udder in animals or breast tissue in humans. In pharmacology, intramammary administration delivers a substance directly into the mammary gland via the teat canal, enabling high local concentrations with limited systemic exposure.

In veterinary medicine, intramammary infusions are a common method for treating and preventing mastitis in dairy cattle, goats, and other lactating dairy animals. Medications such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatories, and sometimes teat sealants, are delivered into each teat. This approach targets the mammary infection site, can shorten treatment time, and helps reduce systemic exposure, but requires careful adherence to dosage and withdrawal times to prevent drug residues in milk.

In human medicine, intramammary administration is relatively uncommon. It may be discussed in the context of local therapy for lactational mastitis or breast infections, but systemic antibiotics and other standard treatments are more typical. When used, procedures aim to minimize tissue injury and complications and are usually performed by trained clinicians rather than as routine self-administration.

Safety and regulation considerations include proper technique to avoid teat or tissue injury, minimization of cross-contamination, and compliance with drug withdrawal periods in food-producing animals. Antimicrobial stewardship and adherence to veterinary public health guidelines are important to reduce resistance and ensure milk safety.

See also mastitis, teat sealant, dry cow therapy, and teat canal.