Prevent the
calving-time curse of environmental mastitis
Some
of the worst clinical cases of mastitis are caused by bacteria normally found in
the environment and occur around calving. At this time the numbers of
environmental bacteria (such as Strep uberis and E coli) may be
high, especially if udders are contaminated with manure. Until milking begins
there is no ‘flushing effect’ of milking out, so if these bacteria enter the
teats they are able to multiply and establish infections.
Even
with the best treatments many cases of environmental mastitis are difficult to
cure. Making an effort to prevent infections is definitely the best approach.
We don’t have all the answers to preventing environmental mastitis, but the
following recommendations will help:
*
Calve on a clean, dry area
What
does “clean and dry” mean in practical terms? As a guide - if more than 2
pats of manure are present per square meter, it is not clean enough for calving
cows. Pasture or calving pads must not be visibly pugged or wet.
*
Bring cows into the shed as soon as possible - certainly by 24 hours after
calving
Don’t
allow cows to drip milk. Even if they haven’t calved, bring them into the
shed, check their udders and machine milk twice daily. It is important to milk
udders out completely. Use Milk Fever control methods, not incomplete milking,
to prevent Milk Fever. Only leave calves on cows for up to12 hours (maximum of
24 hours). Where calves are left on cows, the udders are not sucked out
properly.
*
Ensure the milking routine minimises bacteria on teats
Arrange
your fresh cow milking routine so that every fresh cow has clean, dry teats
before the cups go on. And use teat spray with disinfectant and emollient when
the cups come off.
Image and caption:
"Calve on a clean
dry area"
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