New action plan drawn up in the war on mastitis
New action plan drawn up in the war on mastitis
By Jessica Buss
A NEW action plan for controlling mastitis is focusing on combating environmental bacteria – an increasing concern this winter.
According to ADAS mastitis specialist Ian Ohnstad, mild winter weather has resulted in a high incidence of environmental mastitis. It is these cases that the ADAS and Vet Lab Agency mastitis Management Action Plan aims to help control.
Speaking at one of 15 MAFF-sponsored launch meetings in Exeter, last week, Mr Ohnstad said the six point plan was developed to replace the five-point plan developed in the 1970s.
"Most people do 90% of the five-point plan which has cut clinical mastitis incidence and cell counts. Although it has reduced contagious mastitis, it hasnt had the same effect on environmental types – such as E coli and strep uberis," said Mr Ohnstad. The six point MAP aims to tackle these concerns, and includes;
• Hygienic teat management.
• Prompt identification and management of clinical cases.
• Dry cow management and therapy.
• Accurate record keeping.
• Culling of chronically affected cows.
• Regular milking machine maintenance and testing.
For assessing how good a teat hygiene routine is Mr Ohnstad suggested using baby wipes or medicated wipes. After preparing teats for milking see how dirty the wipe is when rubbed over the teat. Also wipe a cow after milking; "The milked teat will be cleaner, so that muck must have gone somewhere."
Its possible that muck was forced into the teat end during milking, introducing bacteria, highlighting why cleaning the teat before milking is so important.
He also advised keeping bedding clean and dry so cows come into the parlour clean. Use a high quality teat dip and wear gloves – which can be disinfected better than milkers hands – to reduce bacteria spread.
Preventing bacteria entering the teat when inserting antibiotic tubes is vital, said VLA vet Adrian Colloff. This means swabbing teat ends with surgical spirit before tubing, a rare practice. "Some tubes are not effective against E coli mastitis and you can introduce infection when tubing which could lead to death."
But early detection of clinical cases is essential. "A cow carrying staph aureus can pass infection to the next six to eight cows at a milking," he warned. Either opt to milk infected cows last or into a separate cluster, then disinfect that cluster for 10-12 mins in hypochlorite.
Treatment for staph aureus mastitis during lactation may only cure 25-30% of cases, but antibiotic treatment will help reduce challenge to manageable proportions, he added.
Mr Ohnstad warned that, in his experience, homeopathic remedies remove visible mastitis symptoms but cell counts remain high because infection is not cured.
For details of further meetings contact ADAS (01902-693255).
TACKLING MASTITIS
• More environmental matitis.
• New six point plan.