Clinical Experiences With Dry Cow Therapy and Coliform Mastitis

Abstract

Outbreaks of coliform mastitis in 3 herds following initiation of whole herd dry cow therapy are discussed. Poor hygiene practices were revealed on each of the farms, e.g. 1 used a single sponge, heavily contaminated with coliforms, to wash the teats of all the cows, and contaminated bedding and contaminated udder supports were used on the other 2 farms. When hygiene on the farm is below standard, dry cow treatment is not recommended. After an improvement in the standard of hygiene, selective dry cow treatment of infected quarters is suggested. Only when a high standard of hygiene has been reached is whole herd dry cow therapy recommended.