Basic mastitis types and control
The table below outlines some of the considerations for controlling different types of mastitis within the dairy herd.| Contagious Mastitis | Environmental Mastitis | ||
| Source of infection | Infected cows | Environment / bedding / passage ways / fields/tracks | |
| Bacteria | Staph. aureus | Strep. agalactiae | E. coli Strep. uberis |
| Spread | In parlour | During dry period Between milkings |
|
| Reduce bacterial challenge | Cull infected animals | Thoroughly treat mastitis cases | Thoroughly treat mastitis cases Maintain clean environment & teats |
| Prevent spread | Post milking teat disinfection Dry cow antibiotic treatment |
Dry period hygiene/internal teat sealants Pre-milking teat hygiene/disinfection |
|
| General considerations | Ensure correct milking machine function Milk infected cows last |
||
Farmers Guides
- Optimising the milking routine
- Basic mastitis types and control
- Probability of cure following intramammary antibiotic treatment
- Improving udder health around
drying off - Udder Examination
- California Mastitis Test
- Technique for infusion of a combination of dry cow antibiotic and OrbeSeal®
- Sterile milk sampling for bacteriology
- Collecting and transporting samples
- Risks of feeding dump milk to calves