Before treating an animal with dry cow therapy, ensure that the time between drying off and expected calving is greater than the withholding period of the drug used. However, there may be times when you know that the animal will calve within the withholding period, but you decide to treat her anyway. If you make this decision, great care must be taken to make sure that her milk is withheld from the vat after calving until the withholding period ends. The milk should be tested by your factory field officer to ensure it is ready to be included in the vat. After treating a cow with dry cow therapy, it is essential to mark her with long lasting identification.
Many farmers favour a coating of tail paint across the udder as an effective marker.
The cow must be recognisable as treated, in case she gets back into the herd. Treated dry cows should be kept well away from the milking herd so they are not able to re-enter the herd. A combination of isolation and clear identification is the most effective way to prevent milk from your dry cows contaminating the vat. Keep treatment records Detailed records of every dry cow treated with antibiotics should be kept in the dairy book or a separate animal health book. Product used and dosage.