Techno speak!
Ok, this is a technical blog. Holly and I have spent our Hartal day typing up some protocols to leave for Lawrence. Sorry for the masses - but I need some input from Dr. B., Dr. Nice, and Mark as far as suggestions and corrections.
Also, a couple of questions: I know the 'right' answer but I need to know the real answer: if you use only an intra-mammary infusion of antibiotics, are the other three quarters REALLY affected by the antibiotics and in need of disposal? Also, our source says no milk witholding for IM procaine pen G - is that true? Ok for calves to drink AB treated milk - I thought no, but is it a prob? Normal dosing of intra-mammary AB - how many times a day, how many days? (Of course, we are using Genta mast.... you may not have info on that.)
Just so you know - Lawrence says there is a 20 day milk witholding on the magic cure all injection - hence why he doesn't use it. :)
This is all we've done today, so nothing else to report!
- Happy Valentines Day!
Mastitis Prevention
Mastitis is most often caused when bacteria is allowed to enter the end of the teat. We call this environmental mastitis. The best way to treat this is to prevent it! Bacteria will enter the end of the teat when given a chance – most often this is during, or just after milking. So, there are several important factors that can help reduce this exposure to bacteria.
1) Water, while good for cleaning, if left on the udder or teats, can act as a vehicle to carry bacteria into the teat.
a) Washing of cows acts to clean them and cool them – but we recommend washing a couple of hours before and a couple of hours after milking (midday) to ensure that the end of the teat is closed to prevent contamination.
b) Mustard oil should be applied prior to bathing to act as a barrier to the water.
c) Udder and teats should be COMPLETELY dried with a clean cloth after bathing to remove all water!
d) Before milking, teats and udder should be cleaned and DRIED before milking.
e) The farmer should wash his/her hands with soap before AND after milking EACH cow. The hands should be dried completely before milking. No wet hands on the teats!
2) After milking, the teat canal is open and is most likely to be infected with bacteria at this time. The strongest preventative measures need to applied here for optimal success.
a) When finished with milking – DO NOT CLEAN TEATS WITH WATER!!! Apply a post-milking dip with a disinfectant to all 4 teats.
b) The post-dip should cover the entire teat and there should be a drop left hanging at the end of the teat.
c) Do not wash, rinse, or wipe off the post-dip until the next milking. (The calf can be allowed to drink 2-3 hours after post-dip without having to wipe. If it appears that a lot of residue is present on teat, wipe with a clean cloth before allowing the calf to drink.)
d) Feed cows AFTER milking to encourage them to remain standing for at least 30 minutes while the teat end closes. (Laying down exposes the teat end to bacteria following milking.)
3) A clean environment and clean bedding are very important for udder health and cow–comfort (which leads to more milk!!!) Manure, as well as wet bedding, should be removed as often as possible.
a) Sand is an available and inexpensive bedding that cows really like!
b) Sand provides a soft, clean, cool place for the cow to lie down on.
c) Sand must be used in a stall layout to prevent waste and contamination of the bedding.
d) Stall design should be as follows:
1) Two dividing rails keep cows in their own stall. The bottom rail should be no higher than 12 inches. The top rail should be at least 48 inches from the bedding.
2) There should be a brisket board to keep sand out of the food and keep the cow lying far enough back so that she can rise easily. This can be made from bamboo tied together or other wood material. It should be placed 30 inches away from the feeding space and should be 4-6 inches in height (2-4 inches above bedding) and placed at a 30 degree angle away from the cow (toward the feed space.)
3) Depth of sand should be 6-8 inches. New sand should be added as often as necessary to keep a deep, clean surface for cows.
4) Length of stall (and length of sand bedding) will vary depending on size of the cow. Sand should go far enough back to allow cow’s udder and back legs to be on bedding, while allowing her manure and urine to be expelled on a non-sanded area.
5) Width of stall will also vary according to cow size and barn dimensions, but should be at least 46-48 inches (cows up to 450 kilos) or 50-54 inches (for cows over 450 kilos.)
6) Cows need an unobstructed area in front of their head to allow for rising. If a concrete feed bunk is used, the brisket board may need to be further back than 30 inches.
7) Because cows will be lying down (hopefully) more than they are now – the length of rope and the way they are tied will likely need to be changed. The rope should be long enough that when the rope is tied to it’s post and allowed to hang freely; it should be 8-10 inches from the bedding. If it is too long, the cow’s legs will get caught when rising – too short, and she won’t be able to lie down.
8) If a cow is close to having a calf, she should be moved to a different area – these stalls are not big enough for her to calve in.
Mastitis Treatment
Most mastitis seen here in Bangladesh is environmental. This type of mastitis is caused by exposure to bacteria through the end of the teat and is not contagious to other cows or people. It can be identified by the following symptoms: sudden decreased milk production, fever, swollen and hot, painful udder, loss of appetite, and brown, watery, or clear milk secretions. It can be a very severe disease resulting in dehydration (skin tent is slow and eyes sunken in) and sometimes death if not treated quickly and appropriately. The affected quarter will most likely not resume milk production after treatment for the current lactation period – but should be able to function normally during the next lactation.
1) The affected quarter (nipple) should be completely milked out (stripped) every 4-6 hours if possible. (Note: since the cow is painful, it is wise to tie her leg so you won’t be kicked!)
2) After stripping, the teat should be dipped using a post-dip disinfectant (unless treating with intra-teat antibiotics, then the dipping can be done after the treatment.)
3) Antibiotics should be used in the teat for no more than 6 treatments – the milk should be discarded after treatment for as many days as needed, according to the label of the specific treatment used. This milk should not be drank by people, nor fed to calves.
3b) To use intra-teat antibiotics: after stripping, the end of the teat should be cleaned with a disinfectant. The plastic tip of the tube of the antibiotic ointment should be inserted completely into the end of the teat – taking care not to touch the end of the tube with ANYTHING (it will be contaminated). Squeeze the contents of the entire tube into the teat. Remove the tube and hold the end of the teat closed (clean hands!) Gently massage the medicine up into the udder. Apply teat dip.
4) Oxytocin injections can be used (IF the cow is not milking out properly) for a maximum of 3 days in a row.
5) Injectable or oral antibiotics should be used if the cow has a fever or has stopped eating. (If the cow is not sick – only the udder affected – just use antibiotics in the teat.) Penicillin or sulfas can be used for 4-6 days maximum. ALL milk should be discarded if these are used for 4 days following last treatment with sulfas, and 2 days (?) following penicillin. Terramycin can also be used, discarding milk for 4 days after last treatment.
6) This is a painful condition, so pain relief is important to get the cow feeling better as quickly as possible. Antihistamine injections can be given once a day for 2-3 days, and aspirin by mouth twice a day for 5-7 days. Aspirin should always be given after the cow has eaten, should not be used in pregnant cows, should not be used if the cow is severely dehydrated, and should be stopped if manure becomes black in color.
7) If the cow does not start eating quickly, appetite stimulants (Digivet, Zymovet, Anorexon) and yogurt (doy) should be given.
8) If the cow is very sick and appears dehydrated, fluids should be given IV (hypertonic saline, dextrose, Calcium, etc.) and then she should be allowed access to as much water as she wants. This is very important!
Also, a couple of questions: I know the 'right' answer but I need to know the real answer: if you use only an intra-mammary infusion of antibiotics, are the other three quarters REALLY affected by the antibiotics and in need of disposal? Also, our source says no milk witholding for IM procaine pen G - is that true? Ok for calves to drink AB treated milk - I thought no, but is it a prob? Normal dosing of intra-mammary AB - how many times a day, how many days? (Of course, we are using Genta mast.... you may not have info on that.)
Just so you know - Lawrence says there is a 20 day milk witholding on the magic cure all injection - hence why he doesn't use it. :)
This is all we've done today, so nothing else to report!
- Happy Valentines Day!
Mastitis Prevention
Mastitis is most often caused when bacteria is allowed to enter the end of the teat. We call this environmental mastitis. The best way to treat this is to prevent it! Bacteria will enter the end of the teat when given a chance – most often this is during, or just after milking. So, there are several important factors that can help reduce this exposure to bacteria.
1) Water, while good for cleaning, if left on the udder or teats, can act as a vehicle to carry bacteria into the teat.
a) Washing of cows acts to clean them and cool them – but we recommend washing a couple of hours before and a couple of hours after milking (midday) to ensure that the end of the teat is closed to prevent contamination.
b) Mustard oil should be applied prior to bathing to act as a barrier to the water.
c) Udder and teats should be COMPLETELY dried with a clean cloth after bathing to remove all water!
d) Before milking, teats and udder should be cleaned and DRIED before milking.
e) The farmer should wash his/her hands with soap before AND after milking EACH cow. The hands should be dried completely before milking. No wet hands on the teats!
2) After milking, the teat canal is open and is most likely to be infected with bacteria at this time. The strongest preventative measures need to applied here for optimal success.
a) When finished with milking – DO NOT CLEAN TEATS WITH WATER!!! Apply a post-milking dip with a disinfectant to all 4 teats.
b) The post-dip should cover the entire teat and there should be a drop left hanging at the end of the teat.
c) Do not wash, rinse, or wipe off the post-dip until the next milking. (The calf can be allowed to drink 2-3 hours after post-dip without having to wipe. If it appears that a lot of residue is present on teat, wipe with a clean cloth before allowing the calf to drink.)
d) Feed cows AFTER milking to encourage them to remain standing for at least 30 minutes while the teat end closes. (Laying down exposes the teat end to bacteria following milking.)
3) A clean environment and clean bedding are very important for udder health and cow–comfort (which leads to more milk!!!) Manure, as well as wet bedding, should be removed as often as possible.
a) Sand is an available and inexpensive bedding that cows really like!
b) Sand provides a soft, clean, cool place for the cow to lie down on.
c) Sand must be used in a stall layout to prevent waste and contamination of the bedding.
d) Stall design should be as follows:
1) Two dividing rails keep cows in their own stall. The bottom rail should be no higher than 12 inches. The top rail should be at least 48 inches from the bedding.
2) There should be a brisket board to keep sand out of the food and keep the cow lying far enough back so that she can rise easily. This can be made from bamboo tied together or other wood material. It should be placed 30 inches away from the feeding space and should be 4-6 inches in height (2-4 inches above bedding) and placed at a 30 degree angle away from the cow (toward the feed space.)
3) Depth of sand should be 6-8 inches. New sand should be added as often as necessary to keep a deep, clean surface for cows.
4) Length of stall (and length of sand bedding) will vary depending on size of the cow. Sand should go far enough back to allow cow’s udder and back legs to be on bedding, while allowing her manure and urine to be expelled on a non-sanded area.
5) Width of stall will also vary according to cow size and barn dimensions, but should be at least 46-48 inches (cows up to 450 kilos) or 50-54 inches (for cows over 450 kilos.)
6) Cows need an unobstructed area in front of their head to allow for rising. If a concrete feed bunk is used, the brisket board may need to be further back than 30 inches.
7) Because cows will be lying down (hopefully) more than they are now – the length of rope and the way they are tied will likely need to be changed. The rope should be long enough that when the rope is tied to it’s post and allowed to hang freely; it should be 8-10 inches from the bedding. If it is too long, the cow’s legs will get caught when rising – too short, and she won’t be able to lie down.
8) If a cow is close to having a calf, she should be moved to a different area – these stalls are not big enough for her to calve in.
Mastitis Treatment
Most mastitis seen here in Bangladesh is environmental. This type of mastitis is caused by exposure to bacteria through the end of the teat and is not contagious to other cows or people. It can be identified by the following symptoms: sudden decreased milk production, fever, swollen and hot, painful udder, loss of appetite, and brown, watery, or clear milk secretions. It can be a very severe disease resulting in dehydration (skin tent is slow and eyes sunken in) and sometimes death if not treated quickly and appropriately. The affected quarter will most likely not resume milk production after treatment for the current lactation period – but should be able to function normally during the next lactation.
1) The affected quarter (nipple) should be completely milked out (stripped) every 4-6 hours if possible. (Note: since the cow is painful, it is wise to tie her leg so you won’t be kicked!)
2) After stripping, the teat should be dipped using a post-dip disinfectant (unless treating with intra-teat antibiotics, then the dipping can be done after the treatment.)
3) Antibiotics should be used in the teat for no more than 6 treatments – the milk should be discarded after treatment for as many days as needed, according to the label of the specific treatment used. This milk should not be drank by people, nor fed to calves.
3b) To use intra-teat antibiotics: after stripping, the end of the teat should be cleaned with a disinfectant. The plastic tip of the tube of the antibiotic ointment should be inserted completely into the end of the teat – taking care not to touch the end of the tube with ANYTHING (it will be contaminated). Squeeze the contents of the entire tube into the teat. Remove the tube and hold the end of the teat closed (clean hands!) Gently massage the medicine up into the udder. Apply teat dip.
4) Oxytocin injections can be used (IF the cow is not milking out properly) for a maximum of 3 days in a row.
5) Injectable or oral antibiotics should be used if the cow has a fever or has stopped eating. (If the cow is not sick – only the udder affected – just use antibiotics in the teat.) Penicillin or sulfas can be used for 4-6 days maximum. ALL milk should be discarded if these are used for 4 days following last treatment with sulfas, and 2 days (?) following penicillin. Terramycin can also be used, discarding milk for 4 days after last treatment.
6) This is a painful condition, so pain relief is important to get the cow feeling better as quickly as possible. Antihistamine injections can be given once a day for 2-3 days, and aspirin by mouth twice a day for 5-7 days. Aspirin should always be given after the cow has eaten, should not be used in pregnant cows, should not be used if the cow is severely dehydrated, and should be stopped if manure becomes black in color.
7) If the cow does not start eating quickly, appetite stimulants (Digivet, Zymovet, Anorexon) and yogurt (doy) should be given.
8) If the cow is very sick and appears dehydrated, fluids should be given IV (hypertonic saline, dextrose, Calcium, etc.) and then she should be allowed access to as much water as she wants. This is very important!
posted by Leslie @ 6:15 AM
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