Germicidal Teat Dip in a Herd with Low Prevalence of Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus Mastitis

Abstract

Effectiveness of an iodophor teat dip in reducing new intramammary infection and clinical mastitis was tested in a herd free of Streptococcus agalactiae and with a low prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus infections. In this 6-mo study with an average of 152 lactating cows on trial on sampling dates, right rear and left front teats were dipped after each milking while right front and left rear teats were undipped controls. Teat dipping significantly reduced new infections by Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci (other than Streptococcus agalactiae), coagulase-negative staphylococci, and Corynebacterium bovis and reduced clinical cases caused by infections established during the trial. However, the dip did not reduce new infections or clinical mastitis caused by coliform bacteria. Therefore, use of a germicidal dip is recommended for herds with a low prevalence of Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus, but the practice should not be expected to control coliform mastitis.

The effect of discontinuation of postmilking teat disinfection in low somatic cell count herds. I. Incidence of clinical mastitis

“…A significant difference occurred for clinical mastitis associated with E. coli, the bacteria isolated most often from cases of clinical mastitis in the herds studied, whereas no significant differences were found for cases associated with other pathogens. These findings are comparable with those of Eberhart et al (2) but different from those reported by Nickerson et al (13). Eberhart et al (2), evaluating a 1% iodophor teat dip in a six-month split-udder study, found a non-significant increase (P=0.07) in the incidence of clinical mastitis associated with coliforms in dipped quarters.…”

“…These findings are comparable with those of Eberhart et al (2) but different from those reported by Nickerson et al (13). Eberhart et al (2), evaluating a 1% iodophor teat dip in a six-month split-udder study, found a non-significant increase (P=0.07) in the incidence of clinical mastitis associated with coliforms in dipped quarters. The number of cases of clinical mastitis in their study, however, was significantly higher in non-dipped than in dipped quarters.…”

“…Quarters for which postmilking teat disinfection was used. 2 Quarters for which postmilking teat disinfection was not used. * Disinfected quarters and non-disinfected quarters were significantly different (P<0.05).…”

“…A logical next step, therefore, is to evaluate the risk indicators that were found in observational studies in an experimental prospective study. Despite the well-known importance of PMTD in prevention of infections with contagious pathogens (2,15,19), literature is not consistent on the effect of PMTD on the incidence of clinical mastitis (2,5,15,22). On some occasions, PMTD is even associated with an increased incidence of clinical mastitis, especially for herds in which PMTD has been practised for much longer than the three years when the maximum effect of these measures can be expected (20).…”

The influence of laterality on mastitis incidence in dairy cattle - preliminary study

“…Exposure to environmental pathogens occurs between milkings [with the highest probability within 30 min (max. 60) after milkings] and is not limited to the milking process, which is in contrast to contagious pathogens Buckalew, 1972, 1977;Bramley et al, 1981;Eberhart et al, 1983).…”