Livestock

Dairy Cow Teat Care and Mastitis Prevention

Teat health is fundamental to dairy cow welfare, with poor teat condition being a key entry point for mastitis pathogens.

Key Facts

Mastitis is the most costly disease in dairy cattle worldwide
Teat canal is the primary route of pathogen entry to the udder
Teat end scoring rates hyperkeratosis from smooth to very rough
Post-milking teat disinfection reduces new infection rates by up to 50%
Overmilking and incorrect cluster removal cause teat damage

Welfare Considerations

Cows with mastitis experience significant pain and systemic illness. Teat injuries, including cracked skin and hyperkeratosis, increase vulnerability to infection. Milking machine settings, including vacuum level and pulsation ratio, directly affect teat health. Dry cow therapy and teat sealants at drying off prevent infections during the dry period. Proactive teat care programs reduce both cow suffering and antibiotic use.

What You Can Do

Ensure milking equipment is regularly serviced and correctly calibrated
Implement teat end scoring to monitor herd teat health
Use post-milking teat disinfection consistently
Apply selective dry cow therapy protocols based on teat score and milk culture