Successful treatment during lactation is greater if detected and treated early. Cows whose DHI SCC increases to a score of 5 or actual SCC above 300,000 should be checked immediately with the CMT to determine which quarters may be infected. It is possible that an infection recovered without treatment and the CMT is negative. Milk samples from positive quarters should be cultured and any treatment options discussed with the herd veterinarian. Conductivity allows the determination of clinical mastitis in advance of visible changes in foremilk or udder tissue.
Conductivity detects mastitis two or more milkings before visible signs become apparent.
Those cows monitored by milk conductivity had much lower somatic cell counts and took fewer days for SCC to drop below 400,000 than cows treated after clinical mastitis was observed. Also treated milk was discarded for fewer days in conductivity-monitored cows. Conductivity resulted in earlier treatment of cows when infections were less severe and the effects on SCC and milk yield were not as great. Lactation and Milking, Univ. of Wisconsin. Utilizing and evaluating the HyMast Test on dairy farms.