Hi! You are most likely wondering what this insert is that is being sent
out with your report. Well, it is an informative bulletin that we technicians
at I & A lab have developed to keep you informed about exciting topics
that are happening in the milk production world. This bulletin you have
received today is on the topic of Staphylococcus aureus. I hope that you
find it interesting and informative.
Staph Infection
- Staphylococcus aureus is most commonly found on teat skin. This is likely
due to liner contamination. The organism most readily colonizes the teat
orifice, damaged or roughened epithelium which is commonly due to scratches,
cuts, scabs, warts, pox lesions or erosions. Staphylococcus aureus is
an extremely important microbe that infects the udders of cattle. Since
it thrives in the tissues, when a cow is under considerable stress, the
organism is more likely to manifest itself in the form of a mammary infection.
Spread of the microbe is usually cow to cow through the milking process.
Staph is a relatively easy organism to eradicate with basic sanitation,
proper control and separating the sick cows from the healthy herd.
Basic Prevention
and Control - Teat dip treatment is an effective technique to
sterilize the teats prior to milking and the milkers should remember that
the milking units should be disinfected between cows. Staphylococcus organisms
are not host or organ specific. They exist in our everyday environment
naturally and they may survive wide variations of temperature and moisture.
Teat skin health problems may compromise effectiveness of teat dipping,
but Staph is considered an eradicable organism, however if it is left
untreated it can also lead to gangrenous mastitis which can have debilitating
effects.
The mammary glands
of the cow are particularly vulnerable to infection by staphylococci because
of daily transfer of organisms to the teats by the milking machine teat
cups and milkers' hands. There is no mystery concerning what is necessary
to prevent staphylococci udder infection. It is a matter of breaking the
chain of spread from cow to cow and reducing to a minimum the number of
infected cows in a herd. Reduction of staphylococcal mastitis to low levels
and even the complete eradication from dairy herds has been demonstrated
in the past. The means for accomplishing this are 1.) bacterial identification
of infected cows for the purpose of segregation and intramammary therapy,
2.) disinfection of milking machine teat cups and the skin of the udder
and teats before and after every milking and 3.) treatment of infected
cows during the nonlactating period with effective antibiotics. In addition
to the points mentioned, it is required that the milking machine be continuously
kept in perfectly functioning condition so that vacuum stability is maintained.
Furthermore, the time of machine operation on each cow should not exceed
what is required to remove the milk from the udder.
By adhering to this
basic procedure, you can be assured that the risk of your herd developing
an intense Staphylococcus infection is minimal. Good Luck to all and if
you have any questions we will be more than happy to answer them, just
call I & A Lab at (909) 947-6065.
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