Contagious organisms are spread directly from cow to cow, often at milking time, by contaminated milkers, preparation equipment or milking equipment. The object of controlling contagious infections is to improve milking hygiene. Conversely, environmental organisms, present throughout the cow's environment can gain access to the udder at any time. The focus for controlling infections due to these organisms is to reduce the cow's exposure. The goal of preventing these infections is to keep the dairy cow's teats and udder clean and dry, particularly around the time of milking.
Damaged teats facilitate microbial access to the udder.
Dairy producers should work closely with their veterinarians to design an effective mastitis control program. As part of that program, the veterinarian should provide the producer with advice on appropriate mastitis treatment. Currently, there are more than a dozen intramammary infusion products approved by FDA to treat infectious bovine mastitis. These products represent a wide variety of treatments, with several different active ingredients in various dosages. Thus, the veterinarian and the dairyman can select the products they think are best for their treatment needs.