Long vs. short

pookshollow · #1 10/24/11, 06:17 PM

In your experience, which is more prone to mastitis? Long teats or short teats?

The reason I ask - where I work, we use an iodine teat dip, and the easiest teats to get full coverage on are the long teats. The short stubby teats I'm usually doing well if I can just get some on the ends - and I do try! We have one of those teat dippers where you squeeze and the iodine comes up, then goes back down when you stop. But, I've noticed that every cow that comes down with mastitis is one of the long-teated ones.

**gone-a-milkin** · #2 10/24/11, 06:52 PM

In general I would say LONG, only because those tend to be older cows and often their udders are not really balanced any more.
They are the ones who tend to not get milked out properly and are more prone to infections.

I hate those dip cups.
We switched over to a sprayer for the iodine and it goes on so much faster and more evenly, with less dumping, dripping, and annoyance.

pookshollow · #3 10/24/11, 09:06 PM

We have a sprayer for the iodine wipe and I have used that as a post-dip when the cow is being a pill. Really, really hate wearing 1/2 a cup of teat dip!

Creamers · #4 10/25/11, 12:55 AM

In Goats - LONG. . .

FMO3 · #5 10/25/11, 01:16 AM

Most of the time I don't see that much difference on the teat length, as I see it more on teat shape. The really pointy one and the flat teat ends, tend with me have more problems.

As far as dippers go...I use non return dippers. They have a little cup at top that holds about an oz, 30ml, of dip. That way when kicked you don't dump that much. I don't like the sprayers that well...as they use a lot of dip, and if not careful will only get one side of the teats. But, I know a lot of people use them and swear by them, they are just not for me.

sammyd · #6 10/25/11, 05:02 AM

For cows we used the foamers and liked them. The sprayers worked well for us too but they did use a lot more dip.

we don't dip the goats at all, have never had a case of mastitis while they were in milk, and only one that got it during the dry period for 4 years

Ronney · #7 10/25/11, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammyd

we don't dip the goats at all, have never had a case of mastitis while they were in milk, and only one that got it during the dry period for 4 years

Interesting because I don't treat my cows either and never have. Some are old, some are young, one is an incredibly slow milker, some have short teats, some have long, some are pointy, some are flat, some are narrow teated, one has huge fat ones. I haven't had mastitis in over 6 years. One was in a bought-in cow that came with it and never got it again, the other a Jersey/Friesian/Hereford and she comes with the typical Hereford cross udder - big fat teats and lower slung and higher producing back quarters. She is the only cow I give dry-cow therepy to at drying off.

Most mastitis problems are brought about by milking practices with over milking (if machine milking) tending to be the worst followed by inflations that have gone past their best, incorrect vacuum or incorrect pulsation. Where and what your cows do after milking also has some impact - mine stand around in the yard until I've cleaned up and am ready to put them away for the day (or night) by which time the sphincter has closed.

gone-a-milkin, once again some sage advice and observation

Cheers,
Ronnie

pookshollow · #8 10/25/11, 09:36 AM

It seems to be seasonal as well. We had almost none over last winter, a couple of cases over the summer, and now that we're into fall, we're getting a few more. Noticed the same thing last year.

This is a free-stall barn, the parlour has automatic take-offs. It's kept as clean as possible.

Fingers crossed, I haven't had mastitis in any of my goats.