Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
tractions. A veterinarian should promptly treat this type of mastitis in order to save the cow's
life.
Preventing and controlling mastitis
Good milking procedure, fine-tuned milking machines, and a clean environment should elim-
inate most cases of mastitis. All people who milk and care for the dairy cow should be trained
to properly prepare the milking cow for milking and how to spot signs of mastitis. Mastitis is
the biggest health problem of the dairy cow because it decreases milk production and can
make the milk undrinkable or unsalable.
Before milking, the udder should be cleaned with a soft, disposable cloth to remove any dirt
and debris. If there is any dirt present on the teats, they should be cleaned carefully and lightly
disinfected. Dry the teats well before milking by hand or placing the milking unit on the teat.
After milking, each teat should be dipped in a post-milking dip solution. This solution is usu-
ally an iodine-based liquid and can be found readily in any dairy supply store. Cows should
be fed or allowed access to pasture or hay after milking. They should be encouraged to stand
for at least an hour after milking to allow time for the teat sphincter muscle to close. This will
prevent any bacteria from the ground from traveling into the teat if the cow lies down.
The barn, feedlot, or holding pens where cattle congregate should be scraped or cleaned of
manure at least twice daily. Manure should not be allowed to accumulate where dairy cattle
are held. Bedding should be changed frequently to keep the cattle on a clean, dry layer of bed-
ding. Fly and insect control is another means to stop the spread of mastitis. Flies can harbor
some of the organisms that cause mastitis.
If your dairy cow is allowed pasture access, do not let it have access to ponds or streams.
Wading in ponds or standing in water can expose the udder and teats to water borne organ-
isms, which can cause hard-to-treat cases of mastitis. A dairy cow's feet should be regularly
trimmed. This includes the dewclaw. Sharp edges on a hoof can damage teat ends or the ud-
der, especially in cattle with low-slung udders when they walk, lie down, or attempt to stand.
Using a handheld propane torch, some farmers will singe the hair on the udder to keep dirt
and manure from accumulating. If you use a milking machine, all parts of the machine should
be serviced regularly and checked daily for any faults. Rubber parts showing signs of wear
should be replaced. The vacuum setting both on the compression unit and at the teat end
