Coliform Mastitis
Management practices that can help improve a dairy herd’s bottom line
Producers can suffer economic losses from clinical mastitis such as added labor, discarded milk, antibiotic treatment, production loss, veterinarian costs, culling and death (see Figure 1).³ In fact, clinical mastitis has been identified as the most common cause of death in adult dairy cows.²
Coliform mastitis infections can arise anytime during a cow’s lactation, but the highest risk period is early to peak lactation. Older, higher-producing cows are especially susceptible. Fortunately, producers can take steps toward prevention and control.
Focus on cleanliness
“Environmental pathogens that cause coliform mastitis can be found anywhere manure comes in contact with the udder,” says Dr. Linda Tikofsky, senior associate director of dairy professional veterinary services, Boehringer Ingelheim. She notes producers can minimize mastitis risk by:4
• Providing an ample supply of dry, clean bedding that is frequently groomed;
• Refraining from overcrowding and/or overgrazing;
• Managing water tanks, feeding areas and walkways to eliminate standing water or excess manure that might splash onto the udder; and
• Ventilating barns to limit heat stress and the spread of bacteria
Implement a vaccination protocol
Vaccination can help reduce the severity and incidence of coliform mastitis.5 “I recommend vaccinating all cows at dry-off, then giving a booster vaccine two to four weeks later,” says Dr. Tikofsky. “If you’re struggling with an outbreak or it’s simply more convenient, you can also vaccinate the entire herd at once. Just don’t forget to give a booster. The vaccine you choose should have a short meat withdrawal and provide protection against E. coli, endotoxemia caused by E. coli and Salmonella Typhimurium. A veterinarian can help create a protocol that is best suited to your operation’s needs.”
Be prepared for an infection
Even with the best practices in place, mastitis infections will still happen. When mild or moderate clinical mastitis cases occur, Dr. Tikofsky recommends taking a milk sample, culturing and waiting 24 hours for results before treating. “Culturing can be done without a negative effect on cure rate or animal welfare in cases of mild or moderate mastitis,” she explains. “If you think you’re experiencing a coliform mastitis outbreak, work with your veterinarian to identify and address the cause.”
Source: Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.
References:
¹ Continuing market study. Research Department, Hoard’s Dairyman. 2018.
² Rollin E, Dhuyvetter KC, Overton MW. The cost of clinical mastitis in the first 30 days of lactation: An economic modeling tool. Prev Vet Med2015;122(3):257–264. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167587715300490#. Accessed July 3, 2018.
³ DeGraves FJ and Fetrow J. Partial budget analysis of vaccinating dairy cattle against coliform mastitis with an Escherichia coli J5 vaccine. J Am Vet Med Assoc 1991;199(4):451–455.
4 Quality Milk Production Services, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine. Environmental mastitis. Available at: https://ahdc.vet.cornell.edu/docs/EnvironmentalMastitis.pdf. Accessed July 3, 2018.
5 National Mastitis Council. A practical look at environmental mastitis. Available at: http://articles.extension.org/pages/11527/a-practical-look-at-environmental-mastitis. Accessed July 12, 2018.
