The World's source for Bovine Genetics
SELECTIONS - Fall 2001
Change is in the Air...
It Cound Be Affecting
Your Cows' Teats!


By Heather J. Bessoff White, D.V.M.

You can’t eliminate mastitis, but it is possible to decrease the number of new cases on your dairy with improved management. Dr. Heather Bessoff White has 10 years of experience in the field of mastitis control, and is owner and principal veterinarian of Dairy Management Solutions, which provides on-farm milk-quality support to dairy producers. She is available to assist you. Call her at (860) 693-0535 or e-mail: hbessoff@attglobal.net.

When temperature and weather conditions change (as they do each year about now), cows notice. This often is reflected in the condition of cows’ teats. Changes in teat condition can have dramatic effects on mastitis in your herd. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to cows’ teats more closely than you may have been in recent months.

Iowa State University researcher Leo Timms has been studying the condition of cows’ teats in various weather conditions, evaluating the incidence of hardening, cracking, bleeding and other wounds. He has found that sudden cold snaps in October and March induce lesions. For example, the number of cows with lesions and cracks went from 12 percent to 50 percent in just two days in October!

Timms says that the teat end is very sensitive to temperature changes, and that the tissue reacts by dehydrating, splitting or cracking, or thickening to form a callous. These lesions can allow bacteria, especially Staph. aureus, to colonize and cause mastitis.

What can be done to minimize the problem? Producers should keep animals out of direct wind by providing windbreaks; provide adequate bedding and clean, comfortable stalls; and feed and house cows out of the rain and cold. Avoid teat-washing in cold weather. Washing removes natural oil from the teat and the washing/drying action can be abrasive.

Pre-dips that clean and disinfect without irritating the teats are excellent choices. It’s important to dry the teats before milking to avoid milk residues.

Post-dips that provide a broad-spectrum germicide and sufficient skin conditioning are important after milking.

4XLATM Pre- and Post-Milking Teat Dip is an excellent choice during changing weather conditions and periods when teat condition deteriorates. This is because 4XLA cleans, kills and actually improves teat condition.

If you suspect that teat-condition problems are caused by something other than changing weather conditions, you should work with your veterinarian to rule out other causes, such as viruses, milking equipment and chemical irritation.

®4XLA is a registered trademark of Alcide Corp., Redmond, Wash.
All claims, representations and warranties, expressed or implied, are made only by Alcide Corp. and not by Select Sires Inc.

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