Mastitis is a major economic problem in the modern dairy herd, It is important to know what bacteria are causing the majority of infections and detailed records should be kept of the cow, the quarter, the bacteria and the response to treatment.

Early identification of the problem

Identifying infected cows and quarters early allows for prompt treatment and reduces further spread. Stripping the cow prior to milking can be an invaluable tool in reducing the incidence of mastitis and lowering TBC.

Milk sampling

All mastitis cows should be sampled prior to any treatment given. We would recommend that samples are collected from all cases of mastitis, these samples can be frozen and tested at a later date if the cow fails to respond to treatment. It is important to record the quarter the sample was taken from as well as the treatment given.

Milk sampling technique

High standards of milk sampling techniques are required to avoid contamination from environmental pathogens.

Always;

-Clean hands or wear gloves
-Wash and thoroughly dry visibly dirty teats
-Clean the teat end with an antiseptic wipe
-Strip out 4 to 6 squirts of milk to flush out the teat canal
-Remove the lid from a sterile sample bottle
-Hold the bottle at an angle of approximately 450 to the teat to prevent debris falling from the udder into the bottle  (keep the lid held with the underside facing down to avoid contamination)
-Draw one or two squirts of milk into the bottle, the bottle must not be filled to the top if it is to be frozen.
-Replace the bottle lid immediately, label the bottle with farm, cow and quarter identity and date and place immediately in the fridge at 40C. 
-Samples should be sent to the lab or frozen.

Lab analysis will test for bacteria, SCC and sensitivity to certain antibiotics
 

Mastitis is a major economic problem in the modern dairy herd, It is important to know what bacteria are causing the majority of infections and detailed records should be kept of the cow, the quarter, the bacteria and the response to treatment.

Early identification of the problem

Identifying infected cows and quarters early allows for prompt treatment and reduces further spread. Stripping the cow prior to milking can be an invaluable tool in reducing the incidence of mastitis and lowering TBC.

Milk sampling

All mastitis cows should be sampled prior to any treatment given. We would recommend that samples are collected from all cases of mastitis, these samples can be frozen and tested at a later date if the cow fails to respond to treatment. It is important to record the quarter the sample was taken from as well as the treatment given.

Milk sampling technique

High standards of milk sampling techniques are required to avoid contamination from environmental pathogens.

Always;

-Clean hands or wear gloves
-Wash and thoroughly dry visibly dirty teats
-Clean the teat end with an antiseptic wipe
-Strip out 4 to 6 squirts of milk to flush out the teat canal
-Remove the lid from a sterile sample bottle
-Hold the bottle at an angle of approximately 450 to the teat to prevent debris falling from the udder into the bottle  (keep the lid held with the underside facing down to avoid contamination)
-Draw one or two squirts of milk into the bottle, the bottle must not be filled to the top if it is to be frozen.
-Replace the bottle lid immediately, label the bottle with farm, cow and quarter identity and date and place immediately in the fridge at 40C. 
-Samples should be sent to the lab or frozen.

Lab analysis will test for bacteria, SCC and sensitivity to certain antibiotics