Control of mastitis + mastitis investigations

Question 1

What is the 5 point plan of mastitis control?

Answer 1

• Post milking teat disinfection
• Dry cow therapy
• Prompt treatment of clinical cases
• Cull chronic cases
• Maintain and use milking machine properly

Question 2

What is mastitis action plan regarding housing?

Answer 2

• Dry, well ventilated
• Clean dry cubicles / straw yards
• Passageways as clean as possible

Question 3

What is mastitis action plan regarding parlour routines?

Answer 3

• Wear gloves
• Milking order / management of high cell count cows
• Fore-milking
• Pre-milking teat disinfection
• Ensure good milking machine function
• Post-milking teat dipping
• Post-milking loafing time
• Maintain good teat condition

Question 4

What should be done with nutrition of mastitis action plan?

Answer 4

• Avoid SARA - sub acute ruminal acidosis
• Avoid negative energy balance
• Adequate Vit E and Selenium
• Prevent milk fever - hypocalcaemia

Question 5

What can be done to reduce risk of E.coli mastitis?

Answer 5

1. Housing hygiene and comfort esp. dry, calving and early lactation
2. Pre milking teat disinfection
3. Loafing times
4. Dry Cow Management (nutrition, dry cow therapy selection, consider teat sealants)
5. Startvac vaccine

Question 6

What can be done to reduce risk of Strep uberis mastitis?

Answer 6

1. Housing esp dry, calving and early lactation
2. Pre milking teat disinfection
3. Parlour hygiene measures to reduce spread
4. Loafing times
5. Effective Therapy
6. Dry Cow Management (nutrition, dry cow therapy and / or teat sealants)
7. UBAC Vaccine