Prevention of mastitis in cows

Authors: Hopkirk CSM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 20, Issue 4, pp 43-46, Apr 1972
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Antibiotics, Treatment/therapy, Bacterial, Biosecurity, Diagnostic procedures, Disease control/eradication, Epidemiology, Mammary gland/udder, Mastitis, Infectious disease
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: The preoccupation of research workers interested in mastitis of dairy cows has been with the organisms responsible for pathological changes, with the treatment of infection by various means, together with methods of testing in field and laboratory for changes in secretion. Less attention has been given to means of preventing the disease. Only in recent years has consistent work on this important aspect been carried out and then largely in big central laboratories where useful facilities were available. Wilkinson (1968) reported that results could be obtained by culling infected cows together with early treatment of cases. Roberts et al (1970) at Ithaca discussed dipping of teats and treating quarters with antibiotics. McDonald (1970) at Ames obtained some beneficial results by washing teats with water, sterilizing cups with hot water and dipping teats after milking with antiseptic solutions. Edwards and Smith ( 1970) at Compton used similar procedures. Kingwill et al ( 1970) used much the same method. Dodd and Neave (1970) reported at length in the Veterinary Annual the result of their work on control from 1955 to 1970 at the Dairy Research Institute, Reading, arriving at the conclusion that shed hygiene, antibiotic therapy and culling could reduce mastitis to a minimum. None of the above workers has shown that mastitis could be controlled completely, but reduction did occur. It would be too much to expect complete freedom when the position of the udder and the wide use of badly performing milking machines are considered, but spread of infection should be controlled. In the work over the past 10 years at Lincoln College various hygienic methods have been tried and a scheme of control devised for farmers to apply in order to keep mastitis to a minimum. This paper deals with the work carried out on an experimental herd at the College and on a number of herds around the College producing milk for town supply.

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