Control and treatment of mastitis

Question 1

What is the 5 point plan to control mastitis?

Answer 1

Post-milking teat disinfection
Dry cow therapy
Prompt Tx of clinical cases
Cull chronically infected cows
Maintain/use milk machine properly

Question 2

A high recurrence rate of mastitis suggests involvement of which 2 pathogens?

Answer 2

Staph aureus

Strep uberis

Question 3

Bulk tank bactoscan counts the individual number of bacteria in mik and affects the milk price. How often is this measured? At what figure is this excluded from supermarket suppliers for 3 months?

Answer 3

Daily or weekly

>50,000 –> excluded for 3 months

Question 4

What number of somatic cells causes a positive result on a California milk test?

Answer 4

> 200,000

Question 5

Describe how to correct a milk sample

Answer 5

Wear gloves
Disinfect/clean teat
Discard 10-15mls of fore milk
Clean teat again for 15-20 seconds with 70% alcohol
Sample close teats first
Do not overfill or touch container
Teat dip after

Question 6

What somatic cell count values suggest an infection?

Answer 6

100-200,000 = 1 quarter infected with minor pathogen
>200,000 = 1 quarter infected with major pathogen

Question 7

Dry cow therapy involves teat sealant and selective antibiotic tubes. What is used for teat sealant?

Answer 7

65% bismuth subnitrate

Question 8

What drug to stop lactation in small animals has been withdrawn in cattle due to a high number of ADRs?

Answer 8

Cabergoline

Question 9

What should happen to the food intake of a cow to aid drying off?

Answer 9

Decreased food intake

Reduces milk production

Question 10

What antibiotics are often used for intra-mammary treatment when drying off?

Answer 10

Cloxacillin +/- ampicillin

Penicillin

Question 11

What systemic antibiotic is most often used for mastitis?

Answer 11

Tylosin

Question 12

Which antibiotic is licensed for mastitis due to Staph aureus in sheep, but not cattle?

Answer 12

Tilmicosin

Vet admin only

Question 13

Which 2 analgesics should not be used for milk intended for human consumption?

Answer 13

Phenylbutazone (not for food producing animals)

Aspirin (not for milk intended for human consumption)

Question 14

What NSAIDs can be used for mastitis and what is their milk withhold?

Answer 14

Ketoprofen/carprofen - 0 milk withhold
Tolfenamic acid - discard 1st milking
Flunixin - 48 hour withhold