Antibiotic therapy has been reported to be of virtually no benefit for treatment or limiting the severity of infection. Supportive therapy and frequent milking are recommended treatment practices. Sanitation is the key to prevention. They are found in soil, contaminated water sources, animal feces and on the skin. Organisms are commonly transferred to cows via the eater supply, contaminated water hoses and nozzles, contaminated drugs and syringes, inadequately cleaned milking machines and improper dry cow therapy.
Organisms can survive in high pH ranges and have been isolated from various teat dips.
New infections can occur during or between milkings. Generally, pseudomonas organisms are not responsive to antibiotic therapy. Bacillus organisms are found throughout the environment, especially on soil, dust particles and often times on poorly sanitized milking and cleaning equipment. Bacillus bacteria are in a group known as thermodurics and are capable of adversely affecting milk quality. These organisms are capable of surviving pasteurization temperatures.