Coliform
Mastitis (E. Coli, Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas sp., Serratia sp.) -
An environmental bacterial infection of the udder
Where Do They Live?
Bedding, soil or water that is contaminated with manure
How is Infection Spread?
From the environment to the udder at any time. The risk of new
infection is highest around calving time.
Disease:
About 70% of cases will be clinical at some time during the course
of infection. Two thirds of cases last less than 10 days. Newly
calved, older cows may have severe clinical (Awatery, toxic@) infections
Detection:
Clinical signs (changes in milk, udder or sick cow). Culture of
milk samples collected at the beginning of clinical signs.
Effect:
Reduced production, loss of milk discarded for treatment and antibiotic
withdrawal time. Some infected cows become sick (fever, off feed).
Treatment:
Most mild infections self cure. Consult your veterinarian for a
protocol for the treatment of severe cases. Antibiotic treatment
does not shorten the duration of infection nor lessen the clinical
signs.
Estimated Cure Rate:
No antibiotic efficacy for coliform mastitis has been demonstrated.
Spontaneous cure rates for E. coli are high. Klebsiella sp. infections
can become chronic. Cure rates for other types are variable.
Preventive Measures:
- Milk only clean, DRY teats.
- Keep bedding clean and DRY in lactating and dry cow environments.
- Calve cows in a clean, DRY box stall or on pasture.
- Keep yards, pastures, and laneways DRY.
- Maintain equipment to reduce liner slips and keep teat ends
- Balance lactating and dry cow rations to meet NRC requirements.
- Vaccination may reduce the severity of signs caused by E. coli
infection
| Top of Page |
