A description of the its occurrence, and the clinical signs and laboratory findings associated with cases examined as part of the study on toxic mastitis were detailed previously. The main means of controlling toxic mastitis focuses on reducing the exposure of the teat end to bacteria that cause the condition. These bacteria come from the cow's surroundings. Because drying kills all such bacteria, it is advisable to keep the cattle houses clean, dry and comfortable. Cow house design Proper cow house design is critical in achieving adequate control over the occurrence of toxic mastitis.
Good ventilation is very important in ensuring that cattle houses are kept as dry as possible.
Yorkshire boarding around each wall and the roof should be slatted with a central vent. Cubicles need to be the correct length. Many cubicles are too short for the modern day cow, hence the udder is too near the back of the cubicle when the cows are lying down. In extreme examples, the udder actually hangs off the back of the cubicles. Cubicles should be 2.2 metres long and 1.2 metres wide for the average milking cow.